From TCNEWS
Christian faithful has been enjoined to flee from strange doctrines which held that the Holy Spirit is bought with money.
In his homily during a confirmation service at Christ Church, Bende Archdeaconry, Anglican communion in Bende L.G.A, of Abia State, the Anglican Bishop of Umuahia diocese, Rt. Rev’d Geoffrey Obijuru Ibeabuchi said the quest for prominence has moved many Ministers of God to acquire strange powers at all cost and warned that the holy spirit is not bought with money.
The Anglican Bishop of Umuahia diocese, who cited respectively the Bible books of Acts of Apostles chapter 8 verses 14 to 23 and John chapter 1 verse 12, and the desperation/overzealousness of Simon the sorcerer during the confirmation service, said for one to have the Holy Spirit, the person must receive Jesus Christ and believe in God’s word.
His words, “The church cannot move forward or do anything without the power of the holy spirit. Most people have gone to take negative power where they are not suppose to. The power which Jesus Christ was talking about in the Acts of Apostles is the power of the holy spirit which is not inherited or learnt from the school.
“If you do not believe in the word of God, it cannot work in your life, if you want to receive the holy spirit, you must believe the word of God and also receive Jesus as personal lord and saviour “
The Anglican Bishop said that the presence of the holy spirit in the life of a genuine Christian will make the believer to preach Jesus Christ not himself.
He stressed that the holy spirit in the life of a believer empowers him to live a righteous life, stay away from sin, love and work for God.
He revealed further that accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord and personal saviour, and believing the word of God is the only thing that qualifies one to receive the holy spirit.
Twenty one persons confirmed their faith in Christ, three admitted into mother’s union, four persons were admitted into the Women’s Guild while two persons were admitted into Girls Guild during the service.
The Bishop ‘s wife, Evang. Mrs Gospel Geo-Ibeabuchi, Ph.D, the Vicar /Administrator of Christ Church, Bende Archdeaconry, Rev’d Canon Nelson Amaihe, his wife Mrs Cherish Ogechi Amaihe, Chief Magistrate Dame Juliet Rex Chikezie, the Deputy Chancellor Umuahia Diocese Anglican Communion, the traditional ruler elect of Bende Ovu autonomous community, HRH Eze Mike Okorie and other Anglican priests were present during the service.
The service featured the handing over of certificate/badge and foundation stone laying of vicarage.