Accra, Jan. 31, GNA - The Reverend Dr. David N. A. Kpobi, Vice-President of Trinity Theological Seminary at Legon, on Sunday urged Christians to always allow the Holy Spirit to empower them to be strong in their faith.

He said God was the source of power and that the Holy Spirit filled God's people with knowledge, understanding, wisdom, fortitude and the fear of the Lord, to stand the test of any temptation. The Rev. Kpobi said this in a sermon to mark the first anniversary thanksgiving service of the Victory Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Fafraha District, in Accra.

The celebration was on the theme, 93Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Fulfilling the Great Commission." The Rev. Kpobi said the theme focused on the promise of Jesus Christ when he said, 93You will receive the power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." He said Jesus' statement was a promise which carried future directio= n and manifested on Pentecost Day when the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit and performed many miracles and wonders. The Rev. Kpobi said the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to believers from God and not taken. He, therefore, cautioned Christians who used other powers in the name of God to desist from that act. The Rev. Kpobi called for unity, "for it is in unity that we stand and divided we fall." He said the Apostles were together praying in the upper room when the Holy Spirit manifested on them and that Christians needed to stand firm devoid of things that would prevent them from receiving the grace of God. The Rev. Kpobi admonished Christians to have faith in God and act according to the dictates of God's commandments, since that was the only wa= y to gain salvation.

He said the story of Ananias and Sapphira showed the real power of God when they died because they lied to the Holy Spirit. The Reverend George Opare Kwapong, First Minister in charge of Victory Congregation, said the Church was elevated to a full District status in 2010.

The Rev. Kwapong expressed his gratitude to the Presbytery and the General Assembly Councils for the creation of the District. He said the past one year had been fulfilling with the formation of departments and committees and the election of District Officers for variou= s service groups. "Giving hope to the weaker stations and ensuring that there was spiritual fervency in the District were all part of the joy." The Rev. Kwapong urged all to have the spirit of peace and love for one another devoid of hatred among Christians, and prayed for God's favou= r for the Church to move from strength to strength.