Abstract
This study focuses on the ways in which modern Pentecostal prophets in Ghana engage with Old Testament (OT) prophetic writings. It examines four small, urban, Prophetic Pen-tecostal Churches (PPCs) in Ghana. This dissertation looks at the relationship between contemporary Ghanaian Pentecostal prophets and OT texts, exploring how these leaders understand, reinterpret, and use these ancient teachings in their PPCs.
Through a qualitative methodology and analysis, this research seeks to enhance our un-derstanding of Pentecostal prophetism in Ghana. It includes open-ended, semi-structured interviews with four Ghanaian Pentecostal prophets and phenomenological fieldwork con-ducted in four small and urban Pentecostal prophetic congregations in Accra. The study involved observing, recording, transcribing, and analysing services and sermons in addi-tion to the interviews. Observation was carried out in the selected churches to gain insight into Ghanaian PPCs’ deliverance practices, miracles, signs, and wonders. A purposive sampling method was used to choose the research participants. The interviews, sermons, and notes from observation were analysed thematically. The findings show that contem-porary Ghanaian Pentecostal prophets establish their authority and legitimacy by con-necting with the prophetic traditions of the OT.
The research identifies four main themes: Understanding prophecy and the Bible, as well as prayer and deliverance from the participants’ perspectives; prophetic power and spir-itual gifts; how they understand and interpret the message of OT prophets; and the chal-lenges and criticisms of prophetic ministry levelled at the prophets interviewed. The dis-sertation also explores how cultural, socio-economic, and political factors shape the con-text and interpretation of these prophets, highlighting the interaction between local Gha-naian beliefs and traditional biblical interpretation. A key role of the OT prophet was to act as a messenger for God, calling Israel to repentance and opposing corruption and injus-tice. However, this study reveals that small urban PPCs in Ghana do not address corrup-tion and social injustice in their ministries.
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This study adds to the discussion about the links between religion, contextualisation, and prophetic Pentecostalism in Africa. It provides insights into how modern Pentecostal pro-phetic movements in Ghana engage with the teachings and practices found in the OT prophetic literature. By understanding contemporary prophetic practices, this dissertation highlights the continued importance of ancient texts in the lives of current Pentecostal prophets. It also indicates how the prophetic ministry helps their members to deal with the spiritual challenges faced by the contemporary Ghanaian society.