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Religion of Sunday, 12 April 2009

Source: GNA

Gospel Ministers urged to serve as instruments of reconciliation

Accra, April 12, GNA - Apostle Dr. Stephen K. Amoani, Chairman of the Christ Apostolic Church International (CAC) on Sunday urged Ministers of the gospel to use their love for God in fulfilling and performing their Ministerial duties on earth as ministers of reconciling man not only to God but to one another.

"Jesus was able to fulfil the assignment because of the love for God and if you use God's gift and the love for him to minister, you would serve as instruments of reconciliation for all manner of people".

Apostle Amoani was delivering a sermon at an Easter Convention organized by the Accra South Territory of the Church as part of activities marking the celebrations of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The theme for the service, attended by members, including the Accra New Town, Adabraka, Teshie Central Kotobabi, Spintex, Osu Pig Farm, La Central, Alajo, Nungua and Cantonment branches was; "It is Time to Seek the Lord". He said since Jesus used his blood to wash away sins, ministers of the gospel face a task of drawing people closer to God and setting the captives free.

"Ministers must reconcile humanity and let the world get closer to God and you must become an instrument for unbelievers to get closer to God. You preach the truth to your family and fellow believers and this would serve as a testimony to unbelievers that there is a living God". He said misters who perform the necessary duties efficiently would witness the eternal glory of God.

Apostle Amoani said ministers would only receive the blessings of God when they fulfil their call to Christian duty. "If you use your God given talent well, you and your descendants would be blessed; there are blessings for money, worship and glory. You must not become a tree that does not bear fruit because Jesus used his blood to wash our sins away so that we can become new and bear fruits" He said.

Apostle Amoani urged ministers to open the eyes of the "blind" to see the truth and glory in the Gospel and refrain from rebuking unbelievers.

The Christ Apostolic Church International was founded in 1917 at Asamankese in the Eastern Region and has 2,000 assemblies in the 10 regions of Ghana and branches in 11 other countries. Earlier, Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Osei Kwabena Donkor, General Secretary of the Church International in an exhortation said despite the credit crunch facing the world today, there was hope of economic success in the near future.

Apostle Dr. Donkor therefore advised Christians never to hesitate to seek God's guidance in solving problems such as acquisition of jobs, marital disputes, and economic hardships as well as physical and mental challenges.

There is hope in the death and resurrection of Christ, which he said, marked the beginning of success for believers and urged Christians to make it hope of overcoming challenges in life.

"The suffering on the cross is the hope of the world and it is an assurance that positive things are bound to happen in the lives of Christians once the resurrection comes. Your love for Christ would sometimes bring differences but you must remember that Jesus Christ who was faultless died through crucifixion to save the souls of humanity" Apostle Dr. Donkor, who was addressing thousands of worshipers from the Accra West territory, including Taifa, Odorkor, North Kaneshie branches said anyone who gave his life to Christ faced no condemnation but enjoyed the glory, power and a change in his living conditions. "If we accept our guilt and make a confession, we would not be found guilty and God would change our position through the death and resurrection of Christ. Believers now have power and those who have lost glory would regain it as the pain of Christ, through the crucifixion has brought salvation for all of us", he said. The Rev. Minister advised Christians to forgive one another since Jesus prayed and asked for forgiveness of sins for those who were crucified with him.

"All the sins of the world fell on Christ but he who knew no sin has saved us from our sins. No one can go through the pain suffered by Christ but because of our sins he carried the cross to Golgotha," he said.

Apostle Dr. Donkor was of the view that Christians and believers were facing temporary hardships, whether economic or spiritual but said the challenges would soon be over. He expressed delight that a lot of churches were springing up, saying that was a testimony that it was the wish of God to make Christians what they are. The Christ Apostolic Church International was founded in 1917 at Asamankese in the Eastern Region and has 2,000 assemblies in the 10 regions of Ghana and branches in 11 other countries.