THEME: THE SPIRIT OF ABSALOM: REBELLION, SELF-GLORIFICATION, AND THE CORRUPTION OF THE GOSPEL 

At the word of the Lord Jesus Christ, we write an Open Letter to the Church body in Ghana concerning His (Christ’s) Lamentation over the “Spirit of Absalom” that has overtaken the Church in Ghana, particularly among the Pentecostal-Charismatic Fraternity of Apostles and Prophets, Archbishops, Bishops and Pastors and the entire church body. We write this open letter in humility to exhort unto repentance and humility, righteousness, holiness, and faithfulness. So, the true gospel—marked by the Spirit of Christ, truth, and purity, true and faithful witness, integrity, and sound Christian character— may spread in the church body and in the nation.   

According to our Lord and Master, Christ Jesus, Head of the Church, many leaders and ministers in the church in Ghana have taken on the “Spirit of Absalom” and are ruining the truth, order, purity, integrity, and sanctity in the Church and of the faith.  As a result, the spirit of ambition and disloyalty, rebellion, and revolt have spread in the church in the land. The truth is that many church leaders, apostles and prophets, archbishops, bishops, and pastors have sowed the seed of Absalom, discord, disloyalty, and revolt in the Church. 

In the discourse over the Absalom Spirit in the Church, the Spirit of the Lord brought attention to the following: – 

I. That many of the leaders in the Church particularly in the Pentecostal and Charismatic Church fraternity in Ghana have learnt of the truth, light, way, counsel, and knowledge of God under humble, able, and God-fearing leaders. 

II. Instead of submitting to and honoring their ‘fathers’, leaders, and seniors, many ministers have revolted through self-promotion in high bid to overtake their fathers and leaders in honor and fame, position and glory in church and country. 

The Lord went on further to comment that the said Church Leaders—General Overseers, Apostles Prophets, Bishops, and Pastors and all have not learnt, nor in any way been exposed to and prompted by the Absalom Spirit, character, and conduct from their fathers and seniors. In short, they have not gotten the Absalom spirit from the elders. 

May we take advantage of this opportunity to caution as an Apostle-Prophet, father, elder, brother, and friend that the desire for power and position, money, and riches, fame, and  glory has made many church leaders, their junior ministers, and laity and indeed entire congregations fall prey to Satan seduction spirit and ploy with “Has God said” leading many into thinking that the calling, gifts, and position in the church and world are for riches, power, and fame, hence, self-gratification, self-promotion, self-projection and self-glorification. That the person called and placed in service be God unto himself/herself, the flock and people in society and nation.  Many have thus fallen prey to the false and wrong teachings that have made the calling, ministry, and church mission a matter of gain and power, riches, fame, and worldly glory. 

Because of this, the spirit of Absalom has brought in its trail pollution, confusion, and falsehood—the doctrines of devils and men—into the church such that the truth of true salvation and hope in God, righteousness, faithfulness, and holiness are reduced to material, physical, and emotional needs, to the neglect of the soul-spirit and heavenly vision, standing, and stature and hope of glory in Christ Jesus.  Accordingly, the necessary related transformation in spirit, character, conduct, and life has been downplayed, if not totally rejected. To be like the rich and powerful in the world with success and achievements measured by the knowledge, standards, and ways of the world is the teaching in vogue.  It is not to be like Jesus which the Lord Jesus Himself, the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit declare and exhort. (Matthew 5:3; 11:28-30; 16:24-28; Phil. 2: 5-9). There is no longer a desire and no exhortation to follow after the pattern of humility and sacrifice, modesty, and servanthood of Christ, the Apostles, and Prophets of the Bible and fathers of the Church. 

Because of the spread of the spirit of Absalom in the church—and with it the spread of discord, disloyalty, strife, rebellion, and revolt—Satan and wicked people have taken advantage not only to frustrate the spread of the Truth and Knowledge of God but also to destroy and kill those who stand for Christ and the truth, righteousness, true holiness, faithfulness, and sacrificial service of God. They have opened the door for the ungodly and wicked agents of Satan and the spirit and power of lawlessness (iniquity) to enter into the church with false signs and wonders to rob, steal, kill, destroy, and lead many astray, including even the elect (Matt. 24: 10-12; 2nd Thess. 2: 3-10). 

Let us clarify here that we do not deny comfort, happiness, and joy for Christians nor power, position, and prosperity, health and long life for hard work, diligence, and excellence in faithful witness of Christ, holiness, and godly stewardship with divine graces, gifts, and talents and Opportunities for service in church and society.  

We are also aware of the need for men, money, and materials for church mission. On that score, we accept that preachers must live by the Gospel not by extortion yet in a humble, righteous, true holiness, honest, sacrificial, and selfless manner and in any case, in accordance with true leading and working power of the Holy Spirit.  

At the end of the day the model and modus operandi of the Apostles and Prophets is by the standard and example of the Apostles and Prophets and Jesus Christ Himself via the leading of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-16). The truth of Scripture, the Light and Way of God is the message and measure of conduct not those of the United Nations, philosophers and scientists, management experts and religious gurus.  

We humbly submit and pray that the Church Body in Ghana will all come together to teach on, pray against, and cast out the Absalom spirit in the church. Let the True and Living God be true.  Let Christ be Lord.  Amen!! 

Issued by 

Ghana Evangelical Society

P. O. Box GP 4393, Accra