The Transforming Power of the Holy Ghost
In a stirring message delivered by Apostle Dr. Michael Mband, the focus was placed on the indispensable role of the Holy Ghost in the life of every believer. Drawing from the experiences of Jesus’ disciples and the foundational teachings of Scripture, Apostle Mband challenged listeners to evaluate their spiritual walk and to earnestly seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
The Disciples Before and After Pentecost Apostle Mband began by reflecting on the lives of the disciples before the coming of the Holy Ghost. Despite walking with Jesus, witnessing miracles, and receiving direct teachings, the disciples—including Peter and Judas Iscariot—struggled with commitment and spiritual consistency.
Judas, entrusted as the treasurer, ultimately betrayed Jesus, and after Jesus’ crucifixion, many disciples returned to their former lives as fishermen and accountants. It was not until the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost that their lives and priorities were radically transformed, and they became fully committed to God’s calling.
The Necessity of the Holy Ghost for Christian Living The message emphasized that spiritual sluggishness—laziness in prayer, Bible study, or church attendance—often points to a lack of the Holy Ghost’s power.
Jesus Himself instructed His followers not to leave Jerusalem until they had been “endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49), knowing that without the Holy Spirit, their efforts would be fruitless.
Apostle Mband reminded the congregation that even the best teachings, including those from Jesus, could not change the disciples until the Holy Ghost came.
“Without the Holy Ghost, you cannot do it,” he declared, referencing John 15:3: “Without me, you can do nothing.”
The Indwelling of Christ Through the Holy Ghost Apostle Mband clarified that it is through the infilling of the Holy Ghost that Jesus truly lives within the believer.
After salvation, the next essential step is to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
This season, he urged, should be dedicated to those who have not yet been filled with the Holy Ghost and for those already filled to seek higher levels of spiritual empowerment.
Knowing and Receiving the Holy Ghost “You cannot receive the Holy Ghost if you do not know Him,” Apostle Dr. Mband taught.
Just as one cannot search for a diamond without knowing what it looks like, believers must be taught about the Holy Ghost to desire and receive Him.
The evidence of being filled, he noted, is the ability to speak in new tongues—a practice he insists is vital for every believer.
Praying in the Spirit, he explained, ushers the believer into a realm inaccessible to the devil, unlike ordinary human prayers.
The Holy Ghost: God’s Promise, Not a Reward Apostle Mband dispelled the misconception that the Holy Ghost is given as a reward for holiness or faithfulness. Instead, he is God’s promise to all who believe, as prophesied in Ezekiel 36:27: “I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.”
The Holy Ghost is not given to those who have already succeeded in following God’s commandments, but to those who desire to do so.
It is the Holy Ghost who makes believers holy, faithful, strong, and wise—not their own efforts.
A Call to Desire and Receive the Holy Ghost Every believer, Apostle Mband insisted, is qualified to receive the Holy Ghost simply by virtue of being born again. He urged listeners not to let this prophetic season pass without being baptized in the Holy Ghost. “Your life will be useless until the Holy Ghost comes,” he warned, emphasizing that it is the Holy Ghost who manifests Jesus in and through the believer’s life. “It is the Holy Ghost that will make a difference in your life… It is the Holy Ghost that manifests Jesus.
Conclusion
Apostle Dr. Michael Mband’s message is a clarion call to the church: the Holy Ghost is not optional, but essential. Without Him, even the most devoted believer will struggle to live out God’s purpose. The invitation is clear—seek to know, receive, and be continually filled with the Holy Ghost, for it is through Him that Jesus is truly manifested in our lives
