On Sunday, June 30, 2024, Apostle Charles Addo Asare (Accra Area) conducted a special zonal and preparatory divine service, for the Service for the Departed, with the Osu, La, Teshie 1 and Teshie 2 congregations at the New Apostolic Church, Osu, Accra East District.

The Apostle led the service based on 1 Thessalonians 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus”.

“Today’s service is special and a preparation towards our divine service for the departed”, began the Apostle, Charles Addo Asare. “Jesus Christ’s earthly activity, His sacrificial death and, the institution and dispensation of the sacraments are what enables us to be steadfast in the Lord and embrace our earthly lives’ struggles as God’s way to strengthening our faith and hope in Him, and preparing us for His return”, the Apostle said.

He further explained that:

• God’s plan of redemption for mankind through biblical events such as Noah’s Ark and Sodom and Gomorrah.
• In early Israel, there was little or no hope with respect to the dead. It was thought that the dead no longer had a connection to God and that God was not interested in them. Furthermore, death was mankind’s end to life, even in the future. But Apostle Paul restated through his letters to the church of Thessalonians that the earthly activity of Jesus Christ, who after His death, went and preached to the souls in prison and rose from the dead clearly defines that those who died in Jesus Christ would be risen with Him by God the Father when He (Jesus Christ) returns.
• Thus, both the living and the dead would form part of Christ’s bridal congregation. And the sacraments are a necessity for such to partake in it.

The Apostle added, the sacraments were instituted for both the living and dead. Thus, through baptism with water by the Apostles – one’s original sin is washed away and is subsequently followed by Holy Spirit baptism and Holy Communion. So as God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, those who are asleep in Him shall also be raised when He returns. Furthermore, the sacraments contain and are dispensed in a visible form. Thereby, the living is baptised and receive Holy Communion on behalf of the departed souls as proxies during services for the departed.

In conclusion, Apostle Charles Addo Asare said Jesus Christ is the first fruit of the resurrected souls. Referring to the prescribed designs of God’s temple of abode in the old testament where they had the Holy of Holies, Sanctuary and Outer Court,  so it is with Jesus Christ on His right hand, the departed realm and us, the living souls in the Lord.

The Apostle was assisted by Deputy District Rector De-Heer and Deputy Congregational Rector Amagashie (La). Eighteen (18) souls were sealed with the Holy Spirit.