The matter of rights is fundamental to every existence; hence, it should as well form the concern of the 21st Century Church – like never before. The argument on whether or not Christians should defend their rights may continue, however the belief that the moment one becomes a Christian he or she has lost all rights is erroneous. 

The Black’s Law Dictionary defines the word “defend” to mean “to deny, contest or oppose (an allegation or claim)”, and the word “right” to mean “that which is proper under law, morality or ethics. Something that is due to a person by just claim, legal guarantee or moral principle. A power, privilege or immunity secured to a person by law. A legal enforceable claim that another will do or will not do a given act; a recognized and protected interest the violation of which is a wrong.”

Choosing to be a Christian is a right

The practice of our faith (as Christians) is recognized, provided for; guaranteed and protected by the law. Unlike the early Church, the 21st Century church (of which we are a part) has been enjoying (to some extent) certain rights and freedoms as defined by the legislation of several jurisdictions of the world.

Nigeria is a secular state with no state religion. Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, FRN, (as amended) provides that “The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion”.

Accordingly, every citizen of Nigeria is free (as a matter of right) without compulsion, to choose belief, and change his or her religion. Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the FRN (as amended) provides that “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.” Article 18 of The United Nations (UN) Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and Article 8 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) 1981 bears the same purpose.

The enjoyment of your right (as a Christian) to freedom of religion is heavily dependent on other rights – such as the right to life, right to dignity of human person, right to personal liberty, right to fair hearing, right to private and family life, right to freedom of expression and the press, right to peaceful assembly and association, right to freedom of movement, right to freedom of discrimination, right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria, right to legal assistance, right to sue, among other rights contained in Local, Regional and International Instruments on Rights.

The practice of our faith (as Christians) is recognized, provided for; guaranteed and protected by the law. Unlike the early Church, the 21st Century church (of which we are a part) has been enjoying (to some extent) certain rights and freedoms as defined by the legislation of several jurisdictions of the world.

If you should give up all of these rights because you are a Christian, then where is your existence? Is it not because we have the right to freedom of expression and the press that we can now express and publish our faith in the Youth Alive Magazine? Is it not because we have the right to peaceful assembly and association that we can now gather in Churches, conferences and in associations for the spread of the gospel? Despite certain reservations, Christians can now acquire and own land for the purposes of building Churches and residential houses anywhere in Nigeria. The law accords you (Christians) due protection like other citizens in the country. Therefore, you are no second-class citizen.

Should any person, authority or institution deny you the enjoyment of any of these rights just because you are a Christian then it is defendable; it is enforceable. It is your right to seek enforcement before the law courts as provided under Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) or through Agencies of the Government, established to assist citizens in this regard – such as National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Public Complaint Commission, the Office of the Attorney General, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and through the Rights Advocacy Groups in Nigeria.

The matter of Christians defending their rights did not start today. The Bible abounds with instances where the apostles (of old) used the law and certain institutions and authorities of their time to protect themselves and the reputation of the gospel in the face of severe persecutions. They refused to keep silent when there was need to speak in defence of their offices and professions. They denied every allegation of falsehood against the truth, they kept their hold on the gospel as their claim, they protested and contested against injustice and contended with forces that were opposed to the gospel they preached. They believed they have rights and the gospel should not be the reason for violation of them.

For example, Peter and John in Acts 4:19-20 refused to keep silent despite the threat issued to them by the Council of the Jews to not speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus. The longest and detailed defence of our faith came from Stephen (the Martyr) in Acts 7:1-60. In Acts 16:35-40 Paul and Silas insisted that the Roman authorities that had them imprisoned for no just cause in violation of their rights to fair trial as Romans should come and apologize, which they did. In this the jailer and his family who joined the faith became protected.

Accordingly, in Acts 21:37-40 Apostle Paul asserted his rights to dignity of human person, liberty, security of life and expression when he requested of the Chief captain to allow him speak his defence in safety. Likewise in Acts 22:22-30, the assertion of Paul (that he was a Roman and entitled to his right to liberty and fair hearing, when he asked “is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?” This assertion saved Paul from his assailants, the scourging that should have befallen him by the hand of the centurion under the command of the chief captain. Paul was immediately loosed, accorded due respect and protection (security) as a Roman citizen and brought unchained before his accusers (the Jews).

Again in Acts 23:1-7 Paul protested against violation of his right to fair trial and dignity of human person when the High Priest ordered that Paul be smitten on the mouth. Paul also protested by raising his voice against a bias trial by raising a defence that he was being tried for his beliefs as a Pharisee and it was reconsidered. In Acts 25:1-12, Paul in his defence at the trial before Festus, sensing that he will be handed or returned to Jerusalem, decided to exercise his right of appeal by appealing his trial to the Emperor (Caesar) and it was so without challenge from any person. The apostles were aware of their rights which are inalienable, natural and given by God, even though no law during their time recognized Christians as people with rights, yet, they refused to give up.

Jesus Christ also in John 18:23 protested an act of injustice (violation of his dignity and lack of fair hearing by one of the guards at His trial before the High Priest, who slapped Him for no just cause).

It will be wrong and unfair to hold that Jesus Christ did not recognize the legal rights of His followers. The statement of Jesus in Matthew 5:38-42 was directed to the Pharisees and the Scribes whom Jesus was addressing – for they falsely derived a right of ‘private revenge’ from this slogan which (instead) defined a principle of justice for only the courts (legal justice).

Legal justice is not rescinded (waived) in the New Testament. In Romans 13:1-4 the authorities of state are established to administer justice without fear or favour and without respect of persons. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus did not reduce or abolish the duty of the state to do justice, He rather reechoed this by mentioning judges, officers, prisons, lawsuit and their purpose (Matthew 5:25-40). Christians should know that revenge is different from seeking justice before the authorities of the state for violation of legal rights whether on the basis of religion or otherwise. It is revenge (taking laws into your hands) that Jesus Christ condemned and not the just enforcement of your rights.

The government at all levels has the duty to protect her people (citizens) and punish every evil or wrong done to them. Therefore, Christians may choose to use institutions of the state (Government) for their protection (defence) and secure the open proclamation of the gospel; instead of insisting on silence as if they have no rights. Christians should defend their rights civilly, since doing so is not anti-Christ. Jesus Christ did not teach us (Christians) to waive our rights.