By Benjamin Adamafio Commey, GNA
Accra, Nov. 10, GNA – Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, has called on churches to prioritise sound doctrine, biblical teaching and proper interpretation of Scripture to shape individuals and society.
He said the Church could only produce spiritually mature Christians capable of defending their faith if ministers and congregants devoted themselves to studying, teaching and correctly interpreting the Word of God.
Apostle Nyamekye made the call at the induction service of Elder Professor Ernest Tweneboah-Kodua as Chairman of the Council of the Bible Society of Ghana on Sunday in Accra.
He said the Church had a responsibility to become an equipping centre where Christians were taught the Scriptures in ways that enabled them to understand, practise and defend their faith.
“The Bible is begging for interpretation,” he said, cautioning against building ministries primarily around prosperity messages and sensational practices.
Citing the biblical account of Ezra, Apostle Nyamekye said effective teaching and interpretation of Scripture had the power to transform individuals and communities.
He explained that the account in the Book of Ezra demonstrated that the people understood the Word because it was explained clearly and its meaning made known to them.
“That is teaching, giving the meaning and making it clear so people will understand and they will respond. That is where the transformation comes,” he said.
Apostle Nyamekye, therefore, challenged churches to examine the kind of Christianity they were presenting to their members, particularly the younger generation.
“If we don’t move away from this type of Christianity, our children will not be able to defend the faith,” Apostle Nyamekye cautioned.
He said Christians needed more than inspirational messages that offered temporary encouragement, stressing that sound doctrine shaped character and produced lasting transformation.
“Let us teach doctrine. Doctrines are not exciting, but they change people,” he said.
Apostle Nyamekye also cautioned against reducing Christianity to practices centred on items such as oil, water and powders while neglecting the teaching of Scripture.
According to him, such an approach would not bring the desired transformation to individuals or the nation, adding that the prosperity message should not be separated from the broader teachings and demands of Scripture.
“The Bible itself is a prosperous message; it prospers us,” he said, while urging ministers to remain committed to the full counsel of God’s Word.
Apostle Nyamekye acknowledged the importance of making the Bible available in languages understood by all tribes and communities, stressing that access to Scripture remained critical to strengthening the Christian faith.
He, however, noted that access to the Bible must be complemented by effective teaching and interpretation to enable people to understand and apply its teachings to their lives.
He urged the Church and Christian organisations to support efforts aimed at promoting the availability, study and understanding of Scripture.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah