Joseph Attoh 
The Tamale Area Head of The Church of Pentecost and member of the Executive Council, Apostle John Budu Kobena Tawiah, has stated that believers have been made alive through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
He delivered the message during the climax of this year’s Easter Convention of the Tamale Central District, held under the theme, “Died with Christ, Alive with Him” (Romans 6:5–8, 11).
Apostle Tawiah traced the theological foundation of the theme to Romans Chapter Five, where the Apostle Paul explains how sin entered the world through Adam and spread to all humanity, while grace came through the death of Jesus Christ for the justification of those who believe (Romans 5:12–15). He noted that in Romans Chapter Six, Paul cautions believers against continuing in sin under the excuse of abundant grace (Romans 6:1–2).
According to Apostle Tawiah, believers are called to live above sin because they have died to it. “If we have died to sin, we cannot continue to live in it,” he stated, citing Romans 6:6 and 1 John 3:9. He explained that through Christ, believers have died, been buried and resurrected into a new life.
He further explained that water baptism symbolises this profound spiritual experience, with immersion into water representing burial and rising from it (Romans 6:4). As a result, the believer who has been crucified with Christ no longer lives according to the old way of life but walks in newness of life, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Apostle Tawiah highlighted several transformations that accompany this new life in Christ. These include dying to the old self (Colossians 3:3–5), crucifying the former way of life (Ephesians 4:22–24), deliverance from the power of sin, and participation in the resurrection life of Christ (Romans 6:5; Ephesians 2:4–6). He stressed that believers have received a new identity created in the likeness of God and must allow themselves to be continually transformed into that image (Ephesians 4:24).
He noted that every believer has a past life, referred to as the “old self,” but through Christ, believers are being conformed to the image of the Son of God (Romans 8:29). Just as Christ took on human nature, believers are being transformed towards a divine character, he explained.
The Tamale Area Head further urged believers to live resurrected lives, empowered to overcome sin and reflect transformed living. Because believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places, he encouraged them to set their hearts and minds on things above (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1–3; Philippians 3:20). He cautioned against the corruption of the world, stating that resurrected believers are called to live distinct and holy lives.
He concluded by urging believers to demonstrate through their daily conduct that they have truly been made alive in Christ, showing evidence of being a new creation.
Present at the service were Mrs Agartha Tawiah, wife of the Area Head; Pastor Jonah Sei and his wife Grace; as well as officers and members of the Tamale Central District.
Report by Tamale Area Media Team
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