BY NGOZI ADIGHIBE 

“No man can fulfill the task of life without the Holy Spirit.”

This was the submission of the Rt. Rev’d Festus Sobanke, Bishop of Omu-Aran Missionary Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion on Pentecost Sunday.

Speaking on the topic, “Power for the race”, the Bishop observed that the Christian race becomes tougher each day, and therefore believers need the Holy Spirit to be courageous and to stand firm for the gospel of Christ. He explained that Christians need the Holy Spirit to scale through the hurdles of life, to run the Christian race victoriously and to fulfill God’s purpose here on earth.

He said, “The Church of God needs power for the race”; adding that the Holy Spirit is a guide, teacher, comforter, third person in the blessed Trinity and the strength of the Church.

Bishop Sobanke defined Pentecost as the day, the Holy Spirit of God came upon the disciples, when they received power. He however noted that they had to wait on God till the appointed time. He pointed out that in the life of every man, there is a period of waiting, which does not signify failure, but a time to build up one’s faith in Jesus Christ. According to him, many Christians have conviction, but are not willing to wait when they ought to and so, they are not empowered for the journey ahead.

The Rt. Rev’d Sobanke highlighted that on the day of Pentecost, the disciples were gathered in one place, with one accord. Hence, he noted that the unity of the Church is very important and that one of the tools the devil has used to rob the Church of the power of the Holy Spirit is the spirit of disunity.

The Bishop said, “The Church must be one, for there to be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.” He added that the Holy Spirit is essential for witnessing and for a successful ministry.