Christians in Cape Coast mark Good Friday with church services

Christians in the Cape Coast Metropolis on Friday attended church services, clad mainly in black and red attires, to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The churches were filled to capacity in the morning while some processed through some principal streets to pray the 14-Stations of the Cross, with others holding crusades and conventions to mark the Day.

Reverend Benjamin Ofori-Twum, the second minister of ST. Paul Presbyterian Church, Cape Coast, in a sermon, said as Christians, it was important to reflect on the sacrifice and the abundant love Jesus had for them through His death on the cross.

"The cross of Christ signifies the downfall of evil and the kingdom of Satan", he added.

He said the cross would continue to remain the safeguard of the Christian faith, the assurance of their hope and the throne of love as well as the sign of God's mercy and the proof of forgiveness.

"The death of Jesus Christ has shown the way to peace, joy and righteousness in the Kingdom of God and the way to victory over sin and corruption, fear, defeat, despair and death."

Rev Ofori-Twum, preaching on the theme: "Dying with Christ”, underscored the essence of Easter, which was the foundation of the Christian faith adding that; ''If Christ had not died there would not have been salvation”.

He said the commemoration of the passion and resurrection of Christ presented unbelievers a chance to take Christ as their personal saviour as well as believers an opportunity to deepen their faith.

Rev. Ofori-Twum indicated that Christ, through the suffering and death, took away the sins of the world and that his sixth sentence on the cross, ''It is finished'' was an indication that salvation was available for all.

He, therefore, urged Christians to stay away from ungodly practices, forgive one another in order to deserve the Kingdom of Heaven and stressed on the reality of the second coming of Christ.

Right Reverend Victor Reginald Atta-Baffoe, the fourth Diocesan Bishop of the Christ Church Anglican Diocese, urged Christians across the nation to endeavour to love one another as Christ did.

He said the Easter season was very significant in the life of every Christian since it commemorated the death of Christ who redeemed mankind from the bondage of sin.

"Good Friday is about love,” he said, and urged the congregation to give their lives to Christ and live lives that pleased Him.

According to him, Christ came to die for all to, among other things, take away their sins and save them from hell, reconcile them with God and establish a covenant between God and man.

Rev. David Kojo Ahiadze, the Senior Pastor for Zoe Outreach Embassy, called on Christians to endeavour to emulate the example of Jesus by leading worthy lives.

Delivering a sermon on the topic: "Radical Claims of Jesus", Rev. Mills-Owoo, the Presiding Bishop of the Redemption Baptist Church, admonished Christians not to seek their own glory but look upon the Lord for direction.