clcgh.org Building The Capacity Of Christian Leaders, Equipping The Saints For The Work Of Ministry, Redirecting Straying Christians To The Sound Knowledge Of Christ
Freedom of speech is good but it must be exercised by knowledge, wisdom, understanding and insight to enable people make informed decisions.
Many boldly school others about God, Christian ministry, Church and the Bible when they have not carefully studied about them.
A trending video on social media captures Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, businessman and former MP for Assin Central, inciting people against church meetings.
According to him, attending church meetings to worship God, offering prayers and hearing His words is a waste of time.
The unfortunate comments of Kennedy Agyapong end in the short video with, “I believe in God. I don’t want you to teach me who God is.”
We should not be concerned about whether or not the MP truly knows who God is. Our concern rather should be whether or not it is necessary for Christians to regularly gather to worship God.
It is scripturally ignorant people like Kennedy Agyapong who have influenced many believers to refuse to be shepherded by pastors or be part of churches these days.
They do not know that God does not want His children to isolate themselves from the assembly of the saints. God wants everyone who believes in Jesus Christ to join fellow believers and be tended, fed and cared for by pastors, shepherds or overseers.
It is for this reason, God spoke by the mouth of Jeremiah, the prophet, saying, “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding”, (Jeremiah 3:15).
Jesus Christ does not only want His followers to gather in His name, but also be ministered to by one another’s spiritual gifts especially that of the pastors or elders.
Thus, Jesus Christ asked Peter, the apostle, and others to tend and feed His sheep (followers) (John 21:15-17).
In Hebrews 10:25, the Bible says, “And LET US NOT NEGLECT OUR MEETING TOGETHER, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
There are several other passages of Scripture that remind believers about the need to meet at one place to worship God.
“…When you MEET TOGETHER one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said…” (Acts 14:26).
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, WHEN YOU GATHER for the Lord’s Supper, wait for each other” (1 Corinthians 11:33).
You see, God’s Word instructs believers to gather together for prayer, bread breaking, fellowship and teaching which are acts of worship but Kennedy Agyapong rubbishes it.
Whose words shall we listen to and obey? Kennedy’s or God’s? The decision lies in the hearts of believers.
Christ Jesus expects apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip the saints (believers) for the work of the ministry.
They are to feed them to grow in the grace and knowledge of Him so that everyone may grow up spiritually (Ephesians 4:11-14).
How can these ministers train or prepare the saints for the work of ministry just as Jesus Christ did for the foundational apostles if believers do not attend meetings?
You can clearly see the need for all Christian believers to be part of a church and regularly gather to worship in obedience to the Word of God.
Believers, therefore, should ignore Kennedy Agyapong’s tantrums and live by the teachings of the Bible for their spiritual growth and the glory of God.
By James Quansah
