Archbishop Peter Akinola: A Wake Up Call to the People of God

9th February, 2009

Leaders of the Anglican Communion have gathered in a place that is rich with history and a powerful reminder of the glorious heritage that we all share. Egypt is the place that provided respite for the Holy Family when they faced persecution. Egypt is the place from which God led his people through the Red Sea to the land of promise. Egypt is the place where God took his people out of slavery into freedom. Egypt is a reminder that time after time God met His people at the point of their need. Here in this historic city of Alexandria, we are reminded of the great Church fathers, Origen (c.185 - c.254) and Athanasius (298–May 2, 373) and several others who risked their lives to give us the creeds and many foundational doctrines of the Church.

Egypt is also a reminder that God’s people often have very short memories. It was only a brief time after their deliverance that they began to complain about the lack of variety of their provisions in the wilderness “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost — also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic,”[1] they grumbled. Once they were safely established in the Land of Promise they also quickly forgot the bondage under which they had suffered in Egypt and began to embrace the very same pattern of life that they had escaped. The lure of attractive pagan religious ceremonies and the endless cycle of fertility cults, ensnared the people of God. They failed to recall the words declared to Moses on Mount Sinai, "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.” the rest

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