Posts in category: Top Stories

“Some Christians believe in the teaching that they can enjoy the benefits of salvation through Christ without having to accept the ‘inconvenient’ challenge of His lordship over their lives. Many Christians today are comfortable with Jesus in a manger and Jesus crucified on the cross but not how we may share in his suffering; this is erroneous.”

This was a statement made by Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Anim, the Director of the School of Theology, Missions and Leadership at Pentecost University, on Thursday, January 28, 2021, while speaking at the Ministers and Wives’ Conference (MWC’21- Greater Accra Region), at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh. 

Delivering a sermon on Day 4 of the conference on the topic, “The Christian and The Lordship of Christ,” based on Romans 12:1 and Galatians 2:20, Apostle Dr. Anim explained that “living an obedient and victorious Christian life calls for a life of commitment and submission to the Lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

He revealed that many of the early believers and disciples had to choose between their lives and accepting Jesus as their Lord. 

He noted that “in those days, only Caesar, who was the Emperor of Rome could be addressed with the title ‘Lord,’ as a result, when the early believers referred to Jesus as their Lord, most of them were killed and some thrown into prison. That was the price they had to pay for accepting the Lordship of Jesus Christ, can we do the same in our time?”

Apostle Dr. Anim further expounded that “the name Lord is what led to the crucifixion of Christ because the Jewish religious leaders referred to it as blasphemy, but Jesus’ resurrection proved otherwise and established Jesus as Lord and the true Son of God.”

Reading from Romans 12:1, he charged that “since we have been delivered by the death and resurrection of Christ, our lives are not our own, we must, therefore, present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto our Lord.”

He, therefore, posited that “many of the challenges we face in the church today are because we acknowledge the salvation of Christ, but we have not accepted Him as our Lord,” adding that “most Christians want to make Christ an administrative secretary, always stamping and approving everything we wish and desire to accomplish.”

He reiterated that “the Lordship of Christ is not a one-time action or confession; it is a constant obedience to every command and desire that is not only acceptable but pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“The early believers had to face death and prison just to profess Christ as Lord, we are privileged not to be faced by the same challenge, therefore, let nothing hinder us from giving ourselves wholly to the will and command of God,” he stressed.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Koforidua Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, has admonished pastors and their wives to have a Christ-centered goal for the people God has called and placed in their care.

Speaking on Tuesday, January 25, 2021, at the ongoing Eastern Regional Ministers and Wives’ Conference on the topic, “The Goal of the Church: The Role of Revival,” he explained that a goal is a result or achievement towards which an effort is directed.

Highlighting the difference between goal, purpose, and a process, he said that a goal is what one builds, whilst a purpose and process are why and how one is builds.

He admonished ministers not to allow the goal for the church to be lost since Jesus has already set the goal for the church – “I will build my Church.”

Quoting Howard Hendricks who asked a minister, “What are you trying to do to these people anyway,” the Koforidua Area Head charged ministers to have a purpose for the people God that has called and trusted to their care to shepherd. He further advised ministers to nurture believers so that they will be devoted followers of Jesus Christ.   

“What are we doing at our various local assemblies?” he quizzed, adding, “Ministers must not just hold services for meeting sake, but we must strive to experience God at our meetings.”

With reference from Ephesians 5: 22-27, he stated that the goal of the church is that the church would be a beautiful bride prepared for her bridegroom which is Christ (Rev. 19: 7).

He entreated ministers of the church to ensure that their programmes and activities are geared towards the goal of the church.

Using Matthew 25: 1-13, Apostle Asante, who is a member of the Executive Council and Coordinator of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Committee of the church, encouraged ministers and their wives to prepare themselves for the coming of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

Further reading from Ephesians 2:10, he indicated that as craftsmen take their time to mould an artifact, “we as ministers must carefully craft the members that God has put in our care.”

On the focus of the church (Romans 8: 28-29), he explained that God’s purpose is that the new convert would become like Christ and that must be the purpose of the minister of the gospel.

“God is receiving a Church without spot or wrinkle,” he said, he said, adding: “Ministers are representatives of God on earth and must therefore pursue the goal of preparing a people without spot or wrinkle to meet the Lord.”

“A Christian must go beyond the basics of having an understanding that prayer is an interaction with God and not just communication with God.”

Touching on revival, Apostle Asante explained that revival is “a sovereign activity of God where He renews His people individually and cooperatively in vigour – affecting both sincerity of belief and quality of behaviour by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

According to him, when there is an outbreak of revival it leads to the goal of the church.

Report by ERCC Media Team.

The Madina Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Martin Seth Appiah, has asked believers to allow themselves to be captivated by the spirit of prayer so that they can possess the nations for Christ.

Apostle Appiah said this on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at the Ministers and Wives’ Conference (MWC’21 – Greater Accra Region) which is currently ongoing at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa.

In a presentation on the topic, “Possessing the Nations Through Prayer,” based on Psalm 2:8 and James 5:16-17, Apostle Appiah indicated that “The Church of Pentecost was known in its inception as a praying church, full of the Holy Spirit, with constant revival.”

“We must, therefore, remember the legacy of our forefathers, yearn to be revived, so we can uphold the altar of prayer in our time,” he advised.

He revealed that whenever something is done regularly, it becomes a routine and if care is not taken that act might lose its significance. He, therefore, charged believers to be mindful that prayer is the heartbeat of the church and an essential key to possessing the nations for Christ.

“There is nothing like too much prayer, prayer time is never enough; the more we pray, the more we must pray. Be captivated by the spirit of prayer so that you will become a living-walking prayer altar,” he stressed.

Reading from Revelations 5:8, Apostle Appiah indicated that “the prayer of the saints transforms into incense, and when this incense rises and adds to the incense in heaven, it moves the heavens to cause a divine action to occur on earth.”

He added: “Christ is sovereign and can do whatever he wishes to do. However, he has given the power to men to lift an altar of prayer which will rise like incense, fill the heavens and make the heavens intercede in the affairs of men.”

“Therefore, if I wake up in the morning, and I do not pray, I have caused great harm to all humanity, because without my prayer, God cannot make a move in the lives of men.”

Apostle Martin Seth Appiah further expounded that, “prayer must not be theoretical but practical with a demonstrative effect, having divine power to demolish strongholds and arguments that rise against the knowledge of God.”

“How can anyone enter a strong man’s house and take his possessions unless the strong man is bound by a stronger man. As Christians, we are in constant warfare with forces of darkness. Therefore, we must arm ourselves with weapons of prayer so we can resist every oppression of the devil,” he said.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Bompata Area Head and Executive Council Member of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Yaw Adjei-Kwarteng, has called on ministers to lead righteous lives lest they lose the reverence accorded them as “men of God.”

Apostle Adjei-Kwarteng gave this admonition on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at the Ashanti Regional session of the ongoing Ministers and Wives’ Conference during his presentation on the topic: “The Church Called to A Holy Living.”

Using 2 Timothy 1:8-9 and Ephesians 5:27 as his key Bible references, the Bompata Area Head emphasised that God does not strive to be more holy than He already is, asserting that “God is the standard of holiness. His being is an epitome of perfected holiness.”

He indicated that holiness is the only moral attribute of God which is referred to by the angels in heaven three times in a continuous manner in scripture (Revelation 4:5). 

Apostle Adjei-Kwarteng cited the story of Samson, who was deceived into revealing the source of His strength and subsequently had his eyes were removed, to drum home the point that when holiness is lost – in other words, when the Spirit of God departs – the minister would also lose their reverence before men.

He ended his presentation with a call on ministers to eschew unholy lifestyles in order to receive grace from God, adding that “unless we cooperate with God, grace cannot work.”

“The church is the only institution that God has, it must, therefore, be holy else we are none of His,” he asserted.

Report by ARCC Media Team

The Ashanti Regional Ministers and Wives’ Conference of The Church of Pentecost began in earnest on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Asokwa. It brought together ministers and their wives from Mampong, Ejisu, Konongo, Ashanti Bekwai, Obuasi, Abuakwa, Suame, Bompata, Kwadaso, Asokwa, New Tafo, and Offinso Areas.

Giving the rationale behind the conference, which is being held at the regional level, Prophet James Osei Amaniampong, the Asokwa Area Head who also doubles as the Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC), recounted that the global Coronavirus pandemic necessitated the need to reduce the number of participants by holding the conference at the regional level.

Apostle John Appiah Aidoo, the Area Head for Abuakwa, in the opening sermon spoke on the theme: “A Glorious Church Revived to Possess the Nations.” He cited Ephesians 3:1-21 and Exodus 33: 1-23 and defined revival as activation.

He called on ministers of the gospel not to be too concerned about their duty stations and transfers but seek to grow in intimacy with God which, he said, will bring an impact in ministry. “You have no right to minister to the people of God until you have ministered to God,” he stated.

He outlined the need for spiritual hunger, consecration (holiness), applying the principle of selflessness, giving honour to whom honour is due, and giving glory to God as the ingredients for bringing down the glory.

Apostle Appiah Aidoo encouraged ministers and their wives to desist from seeking personal glory. He interspersed his message with spiritual songs and prayers that charged the atmosphere to exude the presence of God.

Views sampled from participants after the meeting indicated high optimism of a fresh revival from the conference.

Report by Conference Media Team.

The Sunyani Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Mark Obeng Andoh, has called on Christians to manifest and reflect the glory and beauty of God in every sphere of their lives.

“As Christians, we must be conscious of the fact that the paramount desire of God is that there may be glory in His church,” he stated.

Apostle Obeng Andoh, a former Executive Council Member of the church, said this on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, during the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regional session of the ongoing Ministers and Wives’ Conference at the Pastoral Center in Sunyani.

The conference brought together ministers and their wives from the three regions in the enclave.

Apostle Andoh stated: “The Church can not possess the nations if it fails to carry the glory of God.”

In defining the word ‘glory,’ he said that it was derived from the Hebrew word “Kabowd” which means ‘weight’ or ‘heaviness,’ but used figuratively in the sense of splendour, abundance, honour, or glory. He added that the opposite is ‘Ichabod,’ which means the glory has departed.

Using 1 Samuel 4:1-10, Ephesians 4:1 as his key texts, he explained that what makes a church stands out is its spiritual weight, which is seen in the manifestation of the attributes of God. He mentioned that these attributes come in two ways, that is, communicable and incommunicable attributes. 

According to him, communicable attributes are what God shares with human beings, like His goodness, kindness, faithfulness, patience, self-control amongst others, whereas the incommunicable attributes are that which are essential and exclusive to Him alone. For example, His omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, immutability amongst others.

He, therefore, challenged all believers to refuse to accept to be ordinary believers and ensure that the glory of God stays in His church.

He mentioned that when the glory of God is in His church, worship and sacrifices are made spontaneously without compulsion, people respond easily to the gospel and the Church also experiences the supernatural and transformation.

Apostle Mark Obeng Andoh advised ministers of the gospel and wives to cultivate the habit of developing their own gifts and avoid copying other people’s ministry for everyone shall give an account of what God has entrusted into their care.

In attendance are Apostle Isaac Nii Kotey Djani (Techiman Area Head and Chairman for Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Coordinating Committee), Apostle William Edzohoho (Goaso Area Head), Apostle Samuel Berko (Berekum Area Head), and Pastor Daniel Frimpong Manso (Tepa Area Head), among others.

Report by Overseer Prince Augustine Ababio.

“God is love and commands us to love Him. However, we cannot say we love God, yet we hate one another. It is, therefore, expedient that we harness brotherly love and fellowship in our Christian journey.”

These were the words of Prophet David Kankam Beditor, the Ashaiman Area Head of The Church of Pentecost and Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) of the church, in a presentation on “The Power and the Beauty of Christian Fellowship” at the Ministers and Wives Conference (MWC’21 – Greater Accra Region) on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh.

Prophet Kankam Beditor, who is also an Executive Council Member of the church, urged all believers to ensure that they develop and maintain brotherly love and good Christian fellowship among themselves.

Taking his key scriptures from Psalm 133:2 and Genesis 2:18, Prophet Beditor noted that “God Himself acknowledged the power of fellowship when He said, ‘Let us make man.’”

He indicated that “since man was made in the image and likeness of God, man is also a social being and therefore cannot live in isolation, as God said ‘It is not good for man to live alone.’ This means that as Christians, the glory of God can only be revealed in our lives in its full measure if we live in harmony with one another and with all people.”

He posited that “Christian fellowship can be defined as any gathering of saints who come together to glorify God and to edify one another. It is also a state where believers share with God and with one another in life, work, pleasure, and sufferings. It is a lifelong relationship that should occur between us physically and spiritually at all times.”

He, however, bemoaned that several hindrances mitigate against the fruitful nurture and growth of Christian fellowship, saying, “If we want to build strong bonds of brotherly love and Christian fellowship, we must do away with sin, self-seeking acts, unhealthy competition, jealousy, anger, bitterness, pride, gossip, tribalism and discrimination.”

Prophet Beditor reiterated that “if we yearn for the glory of God to be seen in the church and in our lives, we must love God and transcend that love to one another.

“We can do so by making conscious efforts to live in harmony with people who may not even want to have a peaceful relationship with us. We must also make sacrifices for one another and prioritize invitations and visitations.”

Prophet David Kankam Beditor further expounded that Christian fellowship has enormous blessings and benefits that have a great impact on the church and society as a whole. He said that “any church that harnesses good Christian fellowship witnesses great anointing and revival. It also experiences spiritual growth and maturity. The world sees that church and identifies it with the oddity of Jesus Christ.”

“Finally, the church that harnesses good Christian fellowship and brotherly love invokes the manifest presence of God and gains favour in the sight of God and men,” he added.

PENTECOST NEWS.