THE POWER of ONE

By Doctor Joe Cephus Bingham Sr.

The Power of One book has a twofold purpose. (1) To show the influence of a single Saint, who trusts the Word of God, could change the world. The Bible is straightforward: For nothing is impossible with "the Author of all things," Luke 1:37, (NIV84). (2) To point out how Christian bodies working in concert as one Body of Jesus Christ can be progressive for millions. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another—Proverbs 27:17 (NIV84).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tablo Publishing
• Release date: Apr 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781649696786

Doctor Joe Cephus Bingham Sr.

Bishop and Doctor Bettye Bingham will celebrate their fifty-second wedding anniversary on September 13, 2020. To that blessed union, they have four boys, 15 grand’s, and nine great-grandkids. He founded the Glad Tidings Christian Ministries and Seminaries in 1984; upon the Scripture, Hosea 4: 6, God’s people perish for lack of knowledge. Doctor Bingham has educated and prepared hundreds of pastors and laypeople for the work of the ministry. THE LORD worked through him to establish many Faith Base Educational Institutes throughout the United States and overseas. He has dedicated his life to Christian education. He is a published author and a renowned gospel singer. Doctor Bingham finished his formal education in the Saint Louis Public School system. He completed his Undergraduate and Graduate studies at the Living Word College and Seminary, earning his Ph. D., in Christian Psychology. He is an Ordained Bishop and Apostle of the 7000 More Ministries in Douglasville, Georgia. To God goes all the recognition. He is a member of the Central Baptist Church in Sanford, Florida.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Under the world's circumstances, worship, prayer, and the power of Christian oneness complicate the secular mindset. An example, unchristian thinks it is impossible to make something out of nothing. As one can tell, under righteous providence, every single Saint must realize his or her dream because of the level of a Saint's success roots in their faith. The Power of One book introduces changes to the Saint's life by building faithful habits within their innate spirit.

Chapter 1

The Power of One

The Power of One book has a twofold purpose. (1) To show the influence of a single Saint, who trusts the Word of God, could change the world. The Bible is straightforward:For nothing is impossible with the Author of all things, Luke 1:37, (NIV84). (2) To point out how Christian bodies working in concert as one Body of Jesus Christ can be progressive for millions. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another—Proverbs 27:17 (NIV84).

For sure, whether one Saint or the neighborhood congregations, it is electrifying to see a committed Christian or Christians working together for eternal preservation, regardless of denominations, especially when the neighboring Churches in the city and around the world come together. As one to resolve problems in THE LORD'S NAME, instead of trying to reduce each other to nothingness.

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree with one another so there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and thought, 1 Corinthians 1:10.

So, a multitude of the Saints has significant powers under the banner of salvation. Still, no one should ever underestimate the effect that a single Saint holds; see Acts 6: 8. For the flame of righteousness burns bright within his or her souls, and throughout eternity, not one member of humanity can subdue the glow of grace and mercy in him or her. On righteousness account, magnify and cheer one's accomplishmentknowing in Christ, a Saint is impenetrable when the adversary is attacking. Come what may, the flames of Holiness are insuppressible in the Saints. Their glow continues to shine forth to compel sanctification. 

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the heart's thoughts and attitudes, Hebrews 4: 12.

Despite the compassion of salvation, a Saint or Saints may face many intense battles, but he or she must stand, having done all to stand, still stand. They must then rise above the troubles, unyielding in their faith as they move away from anxieties. Regardless of future problems, the Bible encourages believers to strengthen themselves in the Spirit.

THE ALL-WISE has placed everything within the Glorified to win. Thus, accept oneself and know the self is extraordinary. With the Comforter, the Saints are more durable than their hostilities and more ferocious than their fears. Every believer understands the Good Shepherd provides comfort and strength in those who trust in Him. So, encourage oneself and continue to stand in the superpower of righteousness. 

Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully, Colossians 1:11 (NIV84).

Notwithstanding, many miracles in the spiritual realm are outside the Saints' present understanding, so to make them accessible, the believers must forsake the life that makes them feel invulnerable. Inarguably, Christians should come out of the pews' cheering section and get into the Lionheart's evangelism work to expand the Kingdom's borders, 1 Peter 3: 15. The King of Glory has given each one of His children the intellect to

Reviews for THE POWER of ONE

[jwhenderson_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this novel a spellbinding bildungsroman. Set in South Africa during the 1930s and 1940s, it tells the story of an Anglo-African boy who, through the course of the story, acquires the nickname of Peekay. Courtenay's style reminded me of Dickens and as such he is a grand storyteller. His characterization and use of details are outstanding and bring both the country of South Africa and its people alive. The effect is to draw the reader into the story, again much like Dickens, and the result of that is to find yourself unable to set the book aside. This was an inspirational book to read.

[rata_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Powerful book about Peekay, a young English boy referred to as a Rooineck, living in apartheid South Africa. This book pulls no punches and is written inclusive of all the hurtful, bullying tactics of bigots. Six-year-old Peekay, born in the 1930s in a South Africa divided by racism and hatred, one day learns that small can beat big. He learns to think with his head and then with his heart. He discovers that nothing can defeat the determination to be true to yourself; this is the power of one. He goes on to become a welterweight champion. His determination of character is shaped by all of the diverse people he meets throughout his life. Courtenay describes people's personalities really well and i found this book brilliant to read as the people and events felt real. One minute you feel like crying the next you are damn angry, then happy as hell to know that the suppressed are able to pull the wool over the oppressed eyes. Definitely need the glossary at the back to help with understanding the Afrikanner words.

[summersoldier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I cannot say enough words of praise about this book. It chronicles the life of an English boy named Peekay living in South Africa in the 1930-50 era, taking us through his experiences with racism, death, learning, and even boxing. The book opens with the narrator (this is written in first person perspective) going off to boarding school at age 5 because his mother has suffered a nervous breakdown. Being english makes him the constant target for tormentors because the South Africans hate the English for killing their ancestors. The older boys at the boarding school take it upon themselves to exact revenge on the English through Peekay. Sounds horrid, but all of the "more difficult" passages in the book are very tastefully done. He makes unlikely friends on the way (an old alcoholic professor named Doc, a chicken, a medicine man, etc.) all of whom teach him valuable life lessons. The writing, characters, everything about this book is superb. I would recommend listening to the version on CD so you can hear the actual pronunciation of African words. Excellent book. READ IT!

[rachelpenso · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A South African boy named Peekay is sent to a boarding school when he is five years old and discovers the racial prejudices of his country not only between the whites and blacks, but also between the English and the Afrikaners. He decides he wants to become the welterweight champion of the world and discovers the power of one.My only disappointment was that so much of the book dealt with Peekay's determination and dream to being the welterweight champion and his training to get there, but then the book ended before he even went pro.

[nk1271 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Read this book in high school (many many moons ago) and it still remains my all time favorite book ever! I still read it at least once a year.

[deanclark · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good story.

[ngeunit1_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an excellent novel. And it was good on many levels. First, the protagonist, known as "Peekay" was interesting and inspirational, granted to a level a bit beyond believable. But he was still very easy to connect with. He began the novel with problems that were very real and we saw how these small events early is his life really had an effect on just about ever aspect on the rest of his life. This perhaps was one of my favorite aspects of the novel, just how well this was captured in the novel. The effect of Peekay's various mentors in the novel were also interesting to witness. As each new mentor picks up on different aspects of his life and molds various aspects of his personality in different ways and for different reasons, he almost becomes a collage of the various people that helped him along the way. The novel also really had the coming of age aspect working well for it. We see the protagonist at few different age groups, and the effect of his own growth and the effect of his mentors is really apparent when time is shifted a bit. There are also some very interesting observations about the world due to his lack of information. Like when he aspires to become a Jewish person when he grows up because of a few people that he met along the way, not understanding the aspect of religion. Overall, this was an excellent novel. The only real negative in the novel, is that it is not realistic that a single person like Peekay would be lucky enough to meet the amount of amazing people and them all take such a passionate interest in helping him grow. But once you move on from that, it is a real pleasure to read.

[revslick_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you've never read a Bryce Courtenay book then please do yourself a favor and pick one up. I've yet to be disappointed. His books are filled with tidbits of surviving life in all its tragedy and triumph. Along the way you'll encounter shared wisdom, community and the triumph of the human spirit. I had watched the movie adaptation several times and bought the book years ago, but just now cracked it open, and I'm glad I did. My only critique of The Power of One is that there is a point where PK fails at nothing he attempts except what is perpetuated against him making him seem a little too heroic. This is a minor quibble. If you haven't taken the bait yet then put the movie adaptation on Netflix and enjoy.

[evilmoose · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

He certainly tells a ripping yarn, that Bryce Courtenay. It was interesting to read about the difference of opinion between him and Peter Carey - with Carey lamenting the decline in reading serious literary novels, and Courtenay lambasting him for being a snob. Honestly I feel like Courtenay has a point - just because a book has literary pretentions, doesn't necessarily mean it's good.This was a fun read, some really interesting history - I've read very little about South Africa, or Africa in general. And I was even almost thinking about giving it five stars. Until the ending. Because really? That's the way you want to end the story circle? With revenge? With brutal bloody revenge? That's the person you want him to be after the journey he's had? This is me, muttering with disappointment *mutters*

[avidreaderlisa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This coming of age book about a boy named Peekay was a delight to read. The movie and the book are nothing alike and the book is so much better.

This takes us to South Africa, a place I really think is like no other in its diversity and history. Here we see Racism and Apartheid in its birth, years ahead of America's civil rights movement. Growing up in these times were hard, but even harder if you weren't Afrikaans, and if you were English it was one step up from being black

The main character in this book is great, we see Peekay through the pages, but what I think really brings this story alive are the people that surround and befriend Peekay. We couldn't help but like Doc or Pete or Hoppie or even some of the other boxers.

I wish the book had a sequel, I wish we could see Peekay go to Oxford and become that Welterweight champion. I highly recommend this to anyone who just wants to read a good story. Or likes Boxing, or good story.

[mockingbird21993 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Power of One was one of these books I judged and thought I wouldn't like. However, after reading it and analysing it for enlish last year, I learned that it is an amazing novel.

[sullytj · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This quickly became one of my favorite books. It was recommended to me by a friend and I had no idea what to expect but I found the story intriguing. The characters, especially the protagonist Peekay, drew me in and I found myself unable to stop reading. We follow Peekay as he pursues his dream of being welterweight champion and learn a great deal along the way. I would recommend this book highly.

[saskreader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my all-time favourites. I envy those who haven't yet read The Power of One because they have yet to experience it for the first time. You will need Kleenex.

[lesleynicol · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A powerful book that remains in my memory, pity that the author doesn't write books like this anymore.

[literarylinda · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book the first time I read it 20 years ago. I still loved it the second time I read it in Dec. '09

[lindsey33sms · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary – The Power of One is about a young English boy’s journey through childhood in South Africa during Apartheid. The reader shares his struggles as he learns to grow and adapt. He has many mentors along the way who push him into various activities, most notably, boxing. The book follows him through high school and into a job with the mines. The book ends with the main character getting vengeance for being bullied as a young child.Personal Response – This is one of my favorite books. The characters are lifelike and easy to relate to. The writing makes it easy to read and paints a great picture of not only the African environment, but the struggles the characters face throughout the book. It also made me want to research Apartheid more as I read the book to gain more knowledge on this subject.Curricular Connections – This is definitely an older middle school to high school novel. It would be good used in a high school level in conjunction with a WWII history unit. Students could research Apartheid and what effect the war had on countries like South Africa.

[booksandwine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I f-in' love this book. It's got sports, it's got violence, it's got war, and one awesome story.

[eldavi_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my all time favourites.Very powerful.

[jfaltz_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not great literature but a compelling story in an interesting setting with colorful characters

[steve38 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A very readable page turner of epic length. Well written and with good, informative background on the emerging apartheid South Africa of the 1940s. It is really a young adult or teenager's story with a hero and plot line that would fit well with the Hotspur, Victor and Eagle comics of Britain in the 1950s. A hero with no faults, everything always turns out for the best and good triumphs over evil.

[pilgrimjess · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"First with the head, then with the heart, you'll be ahead from the start."Set in South Africa between 1939 to 1951 this novel traces the adventures of Peekay, an English-speaking South African boy, from age five to age seventeen. After his mother suffers from a nervous breakdown, the five-year-old Peekay is sent to an Afrikaans boarding school, where he is brutally tortured by the other boys with constant stream of verbal and physical abuse. In particular they call him "rooinek" (redneck), a term used for Englishmen during the Boer War. Peekay gets very little protection either from the school administrators, in fact Mevrou, the Afrikaans woman who runs the boarding school, is just as brutal, prefers to hand out canings with her "sjambok" rather sympathy.Despite the constant beatings and humiliations Peekay excels at school, but has learnt that surviving the system means that he must hide his brilliance, to take on a camouflage so as not to stand out from the crowd. However, after a while Peekay realises that the Judge is struggling with his own homework and offers to help him with it. This allows the Judge to pass his exams but doesn't diminish his hatred for Peekay. At the end of the school year Mevrou informs Peekay that his family has moved to the town of Barberton and that he must take the train alone to join them. On the train to there, Peekay meets Hoppie Groenewald, boxing champion of the railways. Hoppie invites the boy to watch him box a man called Jackhammer Smit at a stop along the way. Despite Hoppie being much smaller than his opponent he wins the fight, making Peekay realise that it is possible to can stand up to bigger foes whilst also instilling in him the dream of becoming welterweight champion of the world along with the mantra-"First with the head, then with the heart". Once at Barberton, Peekay meets an old German music professor, Karl von Vollensteen, who introduces himself as Doc. Because of his nationality Doc is imprisoned in the town's prison but Peekay is still allowed to visits him for music lessons. Whilst there Peekay joins the prison boxing squad where Peekay is coached by a Cape colored man, Geel Piet. Peekay quickly develops into an outstanding boxer and becomes a legend amongst black South Africans. One night Geel Piet is murdered by a warder. At the end of WWII ends Doc is released from prison and Peekay wins a scholarship to the prestigious Prince of Wales school in Johannesburg.Book Two of the novel describes Peekay's experiences at the Prince of Wales school where he becomes a stranger to failure, excelling at boxing and academics, until he fails to win a scholarship to attend Oxford University. After this failure Peekay to move to Northern Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe) to work in one of the copper mines there to earn enough money to pay his way through three years at Oxford. Book Three features his time in the dangerous mines where he forms a close friendship with a Russian miner, Rasputin, who eventually saves Peekay during a mining catastrophe. But, before leaving the mines, he discovers that he has been working for his old nemesis, Jaapie Botha (the Judge). Peekay fights and knocks out Botha carving the letters "PK" into the latter's arm.Given the time span of this novel apartheid is obviously a major factor in this story but despite it's abhorrent nature it is never tackled directly. Rather like the rise in National Socialism in pre-war Germany it just seems to slowly seep into the national psyche. Apartheid itself was never an official Government term but rather politician's in South Africa disguised it within what appeared outwardly benign legislation and many of the people didn't really realise what was happening until it was far too late. This sort of thing can even be seen today in countries across the world. Slowly curtail free speech, free press and protest is curtailed under the guise of protecting national security, in the creep in popularity of populist parties and politicians, so the public must be mindful of their own civil liberties. Equally we must also remember that Peekay is still only seventeen at the end of this novel so despite his precocious intelligence is not yet worldly wise.As such I think that there is a certainly naivety in the author's writing style which I'm unsure was intended or not, it is after all the author's first novel. However, it is also touching and humorous at times whilst the action rolls along at a good pace. As such I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read and am now off to tackle it's sequel Tandia.

[webb_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My Favourite Book I've ever read again and again!

[seriousgrace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Confessional One: I accidentally ordered the childrens' book version of The Power of One. Before I realized my mistake I was already half way through it.Confessional Two: the version for children needed to be returned before I was finished so I jumped over the the adult full length story. I'm glad I did.Confessional Three: The Power of One started a little slow for me. Maybe because I started with a book for children? At times I thought it contained magical realism. Once the story picked up I was thoroughly engrossed.Known only by the derogatory name of Pisskop, a child is born in South Africa and in the shadow of Hitler's rise to cruel power. In 1939 Pisskop seems destined for demise. He was born of the wrong color, white. He spoke the wrong language, English. He was raised by a woman of the wrong color, black. His own mother all but nonexistent. Pisskop knew fear, cruelty, humiliation and abandonment all before he turned six years old. Through a series of unremarkable events Pisskop is led to the people and opportunities that would bestow courage and grit on the young boy. Harry Crown, who renames Pisskop, Peekay. Hoppie Groenewald, who offers Peekay a green sucker at their first fateful meeting (a gesture Peekay will always remember). Doc, who becomes a mentor and a father figure for Peekay. Geel Peet, who takes Peekay's boxing skills to another level. Because of these early relationships, Peekay gains confidence and courage, vowing to overcome his color, his speech, his pitiful upbringing. In his dreams he survives to become the welterweight champion of the world.

[bdartnall_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read this book several times over the years - the protagonist, a young boy named Peekay , is so memorable and the story so inspiring I think I've recommended it to scores of students & friends. Part Bildungsroman, part social/ political novel , part memoir: we follow Peekay on his journey to young adulthood with such an engaging authentic voice, readers quickly become immersed in his world of 1940s South Africa. While Peekay's world remains firmly entrenched in the practices of apartheid, and all the cruelties inherent in such practices, the beauties of the African landscape and all the variety of people Peekay encounters helps lift the story with moments of wonder and joy, in spite of the constant challenges Peekay faces.

[bookseller525 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I avoided reading this book for years, because I was put off by the boxing theme. What a great mistake that was. This book was about so very much more than boxing.What an incredible, amazing book! I loved following Peekay's growing awareness as he grows to manhood. The characters who become part of his life are absolutely (absoloodle) unforgettable. Doc, Grandpa Chook, Nanny, Hoppie Groenewald, Mrs. Boxall, Geel Piet...and so many more are so important in Peekay's life, and are written so wonderfully. Dickens couldn't have written them any better! (In fact, now that I think about it, this novel is quite Dickensian in many ways.)Some of the incidents may be a bit contrived (there are many coincidences), but they never, ever feel that way. This novel is first and foremost about the social fabric of South Africa at the dawn of Apartheid, just after WWll, and about the rift between the Boers and the English caused by the Boer War. It is also about independence and self-reliance, finding one's true self (after attempting to blend in for many years)...and so much more.The writing is brilliant, the fabric of the story is so rich and textured. The Power of One is truly an unforgettable, absolutely brilliant book. One small bit of nit-pickiness: I would have liked Peekay to be a bit less of a messianic figure to the Africans...a bit less perfect in their eyes. But the book is so incredible that this complaint is nothing, really.

[erniepratt · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Rated: PG13: There is a young adult version of this book... Don't Read This Version. There is too much that you miss.

This was one of my top 5 favorite books of all time. I heard an interview with Bryce Courtenay once. He says that this book is mostly autobiographical.
This book illustrates horrible injustices about South Africa during the middle of the Twentieth Century and how one brilliant English boy deals with them.

[tuckerfrye_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I'm sorry, but this book was terrible. Not so much the writing, which was actually quite good, but the main character. PeeKay is perfect. In every way, shape, and form. He's innocent, hard working, charming, brilliant, and a the best boxer ever. There is not a single flaw with this child. Reading this novel was like like having a bag of sugar forced down your throat.

[feynmansrainbow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great book. It is a great coming of age story and life under the apartheid. Love to read this one agian.

[carolynschroeder · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the unique and remarkable life adventure of a small English boy (self named Peekay) finding his way in Apartied South Africa (and amidst the Boer/English hatred) in the 30's - 40's. The novel is structured in three books of decreasing length. I absolutely loved "book one" - the child Peekay - and how various strangers who become friends build the small, beaten down child into a strong, questioning young man. Each character, even if short-lived in the pages, is just wonderful, interesting and often sad, but the commonality is their desire to help the little misfit when their paths cross. Unfortunately, books two (when Peekay is in an elite boarding school) and three (the year between matriculation and college) are nowhere near as strong or wonderful as the first one. As enjoyable as the child Peekay was to read about, I did not find it so with the teenage/young adult Peekay. He was just TOO perfect to be believable and also, he got so pompous as to be uninteresting. But alas, that first part sure is great and all three stars go to that.

[livinrem2018 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The power of one is a great story set in Africa about a boy who lives at his school. Him and his chicken are best friends at school even though he is a chicken.