The immediate past Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, last Sunday, November 17, 2019, paid a visit to the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) – Sakumono in the Teshie-Nungua Area for an Apostolisation service.
He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Grace Adwapa Onyinah. The service was part of the 2019 Heads’ Prayer Meeting which ended on Friday, November 15 at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh.
Preaching the sermon on the topic, “The Church as the Bride of Christ,” Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah emphasised the fact that the Church is the bride of Christ and that Christ needs the Church.
He quoted several Bible texts including Ephesians 3:21, 2 Corinthians 11: 2-4, Genesis 2:18-20, Hosea 2:14-23, Revelation 19:6-10; 21: 2,3, 9 and stated that many things on earth are shadows of what believers will see in heaven.
“Right from creation, God instituted marriage. The marriage here on earth is a symbol between Christ and the Church,” he said.
According to him, the Church is very important to Christ, saying, “Just as the Bible says that Christ died for us (Ephesians 5:25) and that Christ has bought the Church at a price, which is His blood, Christ has married the Church.”
He, however, said that the actual wedding ceremony will take place when Christ comes back to take his own to heaven. He, therefore, encouraged Christians to guard their salvation in order to participate in the wedding ceremony.
Reading from 1 Kings 11: 1-8, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah said that it was during the reign of King Solomon that adultery and idol worship escalated in Israel, pointing out Prophet Hosea’s predicament of marrying a prostitute. He, however, said that God eventually showed His love for the people of Israel.
He advised Christians to worship the Lord in spirit and also in their understanding, saying, “Our prayers should have a focus; pray with the spirit and with your understanding. Prayers must come from the heart and it should not be a religious ritual.”
The former Chairman stated that God demonstrated his love for the Church while they were still sinners. He also declared that the Church is a suitable helper for Christ and that Christ needs the Church.
He stated that the Church is without blemish and that the work of the Holy Spirit is to prepare the Church for Christ. “The Church is righteous and must strive to live a clean and righteous life. You cannot remain in sin because you are married to Him.
“Christ needs the Church and for that reason, he has partnered with the Church, hence he owns us and we are waiting for the wedding,” he said.
Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah indicated that those who will be invited to witness the marriage supper of the lamb, are the Old Testament saints and those who would accept Christ after the rapture and endure to the end.
He threw a word of caution to persons who are of the belief that “once saved, forever saved” to change their stand and work out their salvation by striving to live righteous lives, adding that “once you are saved, the next thing is to do acts of righteousness and God will reward everyone for their actions. If you are a leader and you are not working, you will not receive a reward,” he said.
Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah also led the congregation in a time of prayer and singing of some theme songs.
Present at the service was the Resident Minister, Pastor Anthony Kwarteng, among others.
Report by Yaa Asantewaah Adu Boahene.
