Founder and Senior Pastor of Agape House New Testament Church Reverend Dr. Richard Whitcomb has said building a national cathedral does not bring the presence of God much as a humble heart does. He urged Ghanaians to focus on building themselves and working towards making their hearts right and humble.
He indicated that he is neither for nor against the construction of the cathedral but is more concerned about the spiritual implications of building a national cathedral.
“Herein friends, is the grave danger we face as we debate over building a national cathedral, you can build it but it doesn’t bring the presence of God… I’m not for or against the national cathedral. I’m not speaking to you today as a politician, I’m speaking as a prophet. You can build the national cathedral but that will not guarantee the presence of God.”
His statement comes in the wake of the debate about the national cathedral. Some are of the view that the country has need of other facilities which are more pressing than the construction of a national cathedral.
According to Rev Whitcomb, having a national cathedral with proud leaders does not guarantee the presence of God.
“God opposes the proud and dwells with the humble. I will rather be a humble nation without the national cathedral than a proud nation with a national cathedral because if you have a national cathedral but your leaders are proud God’s presence will be far from you. But if you have no national cathedral, no temple at all, your hearts are humbled the presence of the lord will dwell with you.”
He cited America as one of the countries which has a well-equipped national cathedral but has sin and waywardness clouding the judgement of its citizens.
Quoting the scripture Acts 7: 48-50, he said.
“After all they have a national cathedral in USA and it’s a backsliding, sin filled perverted country, apologies to the Americans. I’m not speaking for or against the national cathedral, I’m not a politician, I’m not speaking today about the political, legal or financial implications of building a national cathedral. I’m a voice from God speaking you about the spiritual implications of misunderstanding God’s holy place. God doesn’t dwell on national cathedrals or in temples, He doesn’t dwell in buildings made by hands. He came to live amongst us so that He might live within us.”
Background
President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2017 cut sod for the construction of a National Cathedral to serve as a national non-denominational Christian worship centre for the country.
To begin the construction of the national cathedral, some nine justices of the Court of Appeal as well as other judicial staff occupying bungalows around the site earmarked for the project, were asked to vacate to make way for the construction of the 5,000-seater capacity facility.
They are to move into temporary residential buildings pending the construction of some 21 new bungalows on the Second Circular Road – Cantonments in Accra.
Source: ghanaweb.com
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To the chap who posted this comment.Has government at any time said it is going to use public funds to build the cathedral?For many Ghanaians it is just fashionable to oppose every proposal government makes,and then to blackmail it by suggesting that they will vote against the party in power in the next election.Trust me when the average Ghanaian goes into the voting booth to cast his vote, he will not be thinking of whether a cathedral was built or not .He will be thinking of how far his pay packet takes him, his kid's education shelter ,health-care etc.Think of the victims of the Menzgold scam[that is all that it is;a scam]You give thousands of cedis of hard earned money to someone who doesn't put a gun to your head and when the day of reckoning arrives you shout that if the president does not intervene ,you will vote him out in 2020.What crass nons3nse!
well said Rev. Whitcomb
So was there the need for making this statement at all. Muslims have national mosques and it's OK with us but it's has become a criticism for national cathedral to be built. Pastor Whitcomb why this statement knowing very well that you worship in a nice place. Whom are you pleasing and who told u God dwells in cathedrals. God dwell in us but we meet in the house of God.Why did Jesus said and my house shall be the house of prayer. Move your church into the stadia, or empty space.
Let understand the difference between meetings and locking yourself in a room please. The person was talking about the disciples meeting at homes and places available and another person is talking about the disciples locking themselves. What is that.....
People should read well, the contributor said the disciples were meeting in houses and places that were available. Never mention that it was because of fear that was why they were meeting in houses. get your fact right.
Do you see how people fail their exams? The question put out by a contributor who did not indicate his name was,show me one scripture in the bible that indicated that the disciples were afraid to go out? I quoted the scriptures and went on to say they were only emboldened to go out in the open when they were filled with the spirit of God. What has this got to do with 'then they went to build a temple'? Do you see that you are empty and dont you envisaged that for many followers that they got they had public places and structures they worshipped in?
after the spirit filled them they built a temple. very funny argument. How can a Christian operate without the spirit. They needed the spirit to operate. lame on arrival
@ kwabena in kwashieman: On the evening of the week, when the disciples were together, with the door locked for FEAR of the jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood amongst them and said peace be with you.(John 20 vs 19). At least that is one scripture which depicts the fear that engulfed the disciples. Initially, they never operated in the open until the spirit of God filled them. This is supported by Jesus' statement captured in Luke 24 vs 49.
when people are loosing the argument all the resort to is takashieeeeeeee. Let the government go ahead and do what they like. 2020 the people will decide if cathedral was a priority and the reason they voted for this president. Tell them to go ahead.
Folks why do you think Paul Kagami is succeeding in Rwanda and we are here twiddling our thumbs?Simple He does not have to listen every Tom ***barred word*** and Abena before doing things.Any time government wishes to implement something groups spring up overnight and every one has a voice.Most time these people have no idea of the issues being talked about.Our problem in Ghana is lack of discipline. If government sweeps the streets every 10 minutes and every 2 minutes some ***barred word*** litters the place the place will perpetually look dirty.