Chapter one

Introduction

1.1 backgrounds to the study

INTRODUCTION

According to Taviestock. & Guest (2014) Nigerian Christianity began when the Portuguese brought Latin Christianity to Benin and Warri in the sixteenth century. When examining Christianity from its inception to the present, numerous developmental stages have led to the founding and expansion of churches. There are a lot of Christian churches scattered around. We'll examine the elements that support the establishment and expansion of churches in Nigeria. In Nigeria, Christians are thought to make up 49.3% of the population. The southern (south-east, south-south, south-west, and central) regions of Nigeria are dominated by Christians. Over 80 million people in Nigeria are members of various varieties of the church, making it the country with the greatest Christian population in Africa, according to the Pew Research Centre. Protestants make up the bulk of Nigeria's Christian population. It is clear from the Bible (Proverbs 14:28; Acts 4:13) that God cares about the expansion of the Church and each member's piety. Christians are so expected to exhibit every facet of godliness. Therefore, in order to assure societal progress, the growth in the number of churches in any given culture should coincide with a growing desire in leading a virtuous life and fearing the Lord. According to Matthew 5:13 and John 1:5, Christians are expected to lead moral lives that uphold the principles of a just society. That's the reason the scriptures mentioned above refer to them as the salt and light of the earth. Scholars throughout the continent are growing more concerned about this as it appears that the opposite is true in Africa.

 In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Taviestock .& Guest (2014) contends that there has been a remarkable increase in the number of Churches and also a commensurate rise in corruption and other social vices which has limited the growth of Christianity in Lagos state. It is assumed that if Churches are increasing, its positive impact in the lives of the people should be greater which should lead to the spread of Christianity. Oliver & Amore (2010) therefore wondered if the Church growth and rise in corruption are coterminous in these societies. Scholars and other agencies Taviestock.& Guest (2014) who have researched this phenomena appear to concur that when Christianity was originally established in Nigeria, it had a greater effect on bringing people closer to holiness than it does now, when the opposite is true. Additionally, other writers such as Oliver & Amore (2010) additionally, everyone seems to agree that despite the enormous increase in churches, there hasn't been much spread of Christianity this can be seen in attitudes, behaviors, or manners of Nigerians. It is to this the study centers on the Growth of Christianity in Lagos State.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The Christianity and church in Lagos has suffered so many challenges which has limited their growth. In Lagos state and Nigeria at Large , there are numerous cultural practices, social, political practices  that have inhibited the spread of Christianity, including the raising of disciples. One of these is the problem of idols worship. The worship of idols has been a major problem to the raising of disciples, another major problem is the issue of terrorism among others, again As followers of Christ, the church has  encounter hostility, discrimination, or even physical harm because of our beliefs,  though  chirstians are called to stand firm in our faith and trust in God's strength to overcome these challenges, the above factors has limited the growth of Christianity in Lagos and Nigeria. it is to this the study centres on The Growth Of Christianity In Lagos State

1.3 Objectives of the study

1.to examine the impact of  the growth of Christianity on church proliferation in Lagos state

2 To examine the how social, political factor, cultural factors limits the growth of Christianity in Nigeria

3. To examine the role of Christians in the growth Christianity in Lagos state

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.What is the impact of  the growth of Christianity on church proliferation in Lagos state?

2 How  has social, political factor, cultural factors limits the growth of Christianity in Nigeria?

3. What is the role of Christians in the growth Christianity in Lagos state?