Why Jesus Apologetics

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus… and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing.”
— Acts 8:35, 39

One of the most common accusations against Christianity, especially in African and Black diaspora communities, is that: “Christianity is a white man’s religion.”

This claim has been weaponized by African traditionalists, Afrocentric thinkers, and some Muslims to undermine the faith of African Christians painting Christianity as a tool of colonialism and slavery. But is this historically accurate? Did Christianity truly begin in Europe? Is Jesus a “European” invention? And is Christian faith incompatible with African heritage?

In this article, we will dismantle that myth using historical, biblical, and African evidence  and show that Christianity is not a white man’s religion, but God’s message to all humanity, including Africa from the very beginning.

“Christianity Did Not Begin in Europe — It Began in the Middle East”

Christianity was born in first-century Palestine, in the region now known as Israel. Jesus was a Jew, not a European. The apostles were Middle Eastern Jews — Peter, James, John, Paul — all from Galilee, Judea, or Tarsus.

“Salvation is from the Jews.”

– John 4:22

The early Christian movement was entirely non-European for its first several decades. The New Testament was written by Jews who lived in the Roman province of Judea, not white Europeans.

Africans Were Among the First Christians

a. The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26–40)

The New Testament shows us that Africa was not on the sidelines of the Christian story — it was central from the beginning.

The first recorded non-Jewish convert to Christianity in Scripture is an Ethiopian official under Queen Candace. He received the Gospel from Philip the Evangelist, was baptized, and returned to Africa rejoicing — possibly planting the first church in Sub-Saharan Africa.

b. Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21)

Simon, who carried Jesus’ cross, was from Cyrene, a city in North Africa (modern-day Libya). His sons, Alexander and Rufus, were known in the early church (Romans 16:13).

c. Early Church Leaders Were African

Lucius of Cyrene (Acts 13:1), a prophet and teacher in the church of Antioch (the first Gentile mission center), was African.

One of the most compelling truths often ignored in popular discussions is this: Africans were present at the very birth of the Christian church — the Day of Pentecost.

“Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven…”

— Acts 2:5

Luke, the author of Acts, lists several regions that were present in the crowd that heard Peter’s Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:9–11), and North African territories are explicitly mentioned, including:

• Egypt
• Libya near Cyrene

“Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome…”

— Acts 2:10 (ESV)

These weren’t tourists. These were devout Jews and converts to Judaism who had come for the pilgrimage feast and would have heard the Gospel in their own language, witnessed the miraculous signs, and been part of the 3,000 souls saved that day (Acts 2:41).

After Pentecost, many of these African converts would have returned home, carrying with them the message of Christ. Although unnamed in the New Testament, they formed the earliest seeds of Christianity in Africa, long before colonial missionaries arrived.

That is before Christianity reached Britain, France, or Germany, it had already taken deep roots in Egypt, Nubia, Ethiopia, and North Africa.

a. Alexandria – Egypt

Home to one of the oldest Christian schools (Catechetical School of Alexandria). Great African theologians like Origen and Athanasius taught there.

Athanasius, a dark-skinned African bishop, defended the doctrine of the Trinity against heresy at the Council of Nicaea (325 AD).

b. Ethiopia

Ethiopian Christianity dates to the 4th century — officially adopting Christianity under King Ezana before most European nations. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian denominations in the world.

c. Nubia and Sudan

Christian kingdoms like Nobatia, Makuria, and Alodia thrived in medieval Nubia (modern Sudan) from the 6th to 15th centuries.

African Church Fathers Shaped Global Christianity

Let us name just a few:

• Tertullian (c. 155–240 AD), the father of Latin Christianity, and first theologian to use the term “Trinity” is from Carthage, Tunisia.
• Origen (c. 184–253 AD), a brilliant scholar and apologist. Led the School of Alexandria.
• Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296–373 AD), defended the divinity of Christ; exiled five times for his faith. Played a key role in Nicene Christianity.
• Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD)is one of the most influential Christian thinkers in history. His writings shaped Western theology. From modern-day Algeria.
• Cyprian of Carthage, from modern-day Tunisia.

These were not white men. They were Africans, and their legacy continues in the global church today.

These examples shatter the myth that Christianity was imported to Africa by white colonizers. In fact, Africa was one of Christianity’s earliest homes.

Christianity Is a Global Faith, Not a Western One

Today, more Christians live in the Global South (Africa, Latin America, Asia) than in the West.

• According to Pew Research (2023), Africa has over 685 million Christians — more than any other continent.
• The fastest-growing churches in the world are in Africa and Asia.
• Many Western churches are declining, while African churches are planting churches in Europe and America.

So who owns Christianity now? No one. It belongs to Jesus Christ, and His Gospel transcends race, geography, and history.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

— Galatians 3:28

Addressing Common Misconceptions

1. The Lie: “Jesus Was a White Man”

The Truth: Jesus Was a Brown-Skinned Middle Easterner

European art often portrays Jesus with pale skin and blue eyes — but this is artistic, not historical.

• Jesus was a Jew from the region of Palestine.
• The Bible describes Him in symbolic terms (e.g., Revelation 1:14–15).
• Early African churches depicted Jesus in their own skin tone, not European.

“Jesus transcends race — He came for all nations, tribes, and tongues.“

2. The Lie: “Christianity Replaces African Culture”

The Truth: The Gospel Redeems, Not Erases

Yes, colonialism tried to destroy cultures. But true Christianity does not erase culture — it purifies it.

• Early African Christians worshiped in their own languages and preserved cultural identity.
• Jesus didn’t come to make people Western — He came to make them holy.
• The Gospel affirms dignity, family, justice, and beauty — things deeply rooted in African values.

“Christianity doesn’t destroy African identity. It calls it to a higher purpose.“

3. The Lie: “Christianity Makes People Weak or Passive”

The Truth: The Gospel Creates Bold, Free People

Some say Christianity teaches Africans to submit and be silent.

But the Bible teaches:

• Speak up for the oppressed (Proverbs 31:8–9)
• Resist evil (James 4:7)
• Be bold like lions (Proverbs 28:1)

Jesus confronted corrupt leaders. Paul challenged rulers. The apostles were beaten for preaching — but they never bowed.

4. The Lie: “Islam Is More African Than Christianity”

The Truth: Christianity Came First — by Over 600 Years

• Christianity reached Africa in the 1st century AD.
• Islam entered Africa in the 7th century AD — 600+ years later.
• Islamic conquests destroyed many ancient Christian civilizations in North Africa.

Christianity is not only older, it also spread through faith and martyrdom, not through force.

5. The Lie: “Missionaries Were Tools of Empire”

The Truth: Many Were Heroes of Justice and Compassion

Yes, some missionaries aligned with colonial powers. But many:

• Built schools, translated Scripture into African languages
• Started hospitals and cared for orphans
• Defended African dignity against racism and oppression

Examples:

• Mary Slessor saved twins from death in Nigeria.
• Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a former slave, became Africa’s first Anglican bishop.

6. The Lie: “Christianity Doesn’t Fit African Identity”

The Truth: The Gospel Speaks to the African Soul

African culture values:

• Community over individualism
• Respect for elders and ancestors
• Spiritual depth and moral codes

Christianity doesn’t fight these values — it fulfills them.

• God is a Father.
• The Church is a family.
• Christ is Lord over all spirits and powers.

Christianity Is Not a White Man’s Religion — It’s the Gospel of God

Christianity was born in the Middle East, nurtured in Africa, expanded into Europe, and spread across the world.

It belongs to no race or region.
It is the truth of God, for all people, in all times.

“You are no longer strangers… but members of God’s household.”
— Ephesians 2:19

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Share This. Teach This. Defend This.

Don’t let lies erase the legacy of African Christianity.

Africa is not new to Jesus.
Jesus is not foreign to Africa.
And Christianity is not the white man’s religion.