FOREWORD 1

By Michael Paul Ansah

S. Y. KWAMI has, in this book, argued clearly from a scriptural standpoint to establish his contention that man’s best achievements on planet earth are but a pale shadow of what God intended for him. The reason for this is the downfall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, which eventually brought man under the mitigated curse of God. Man became affected with hardships, endless problems, sorrows and above all, death.

A vivid picture of this has been painted for all time by the Poet Laureate John Milton, in his “Paradise Lost” he states that the Adamic downfall brought in its train death, sorrows and all our woes. To this universal view of the result of the downfall of man, S. Y. Kwami adds a ray of hope for mankind. He points out that with the help of God, the resultant blockade to direct spiritual communication with and direction by God, can be reversed to re-establish God’s purpose for man on earth. “Why you must be Born Again” can, therefore, be regarded as a modest attempt by Rev. Kwami to show how a man can be restored to his former glory to enable him to enjoy eternal life or everlasting happiness with God. For a man to attain this goal of eternal life in Christ, he should be born again, that is, his old nature, which loves sin, must give way to a new life that cannot sin.

The search for the truth or the need for a New Life to fulfil God’s plan for man on earth has been pursued by ardent Christians over the years. The story of Nicodemus in his encounter with Jesus Christ has popularized spiritual rebirth. In answer to his searching question, Jesus told him, “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God”. (John 3:3, NIV).

The term “Born Again” to signify spiritual rebirth is in vogue all over the world, especially in developing countries, where Pentecostal Churches, under charismatic leaders, have spread like wildfire in recent years. Born-again Christians have come into being. Today, many ministries are preaching the Gospel and laying special emphasis on the need for spiritual rebirth. People of all ages now openly lay claim to having been born again in Christian Churches, fellowships and at crusades throughout the world.

Like Nicodemus, we might well ask how a man can be born again or become saved. The answer from Jesus is clear, but not easy. It is a spiritual affair involving God’s intervention. He must be “born of God”´ (John 1:12). But man must take the first step by believing, receiving and confessing Jesus as his Lord, Master and personal Saviour.

We are, however, to bear in mind that salvation is not confined to the Jews. It is the prerogative of believers of all nationalities, regardless of race, colour or creed. However sinful and filthy we may all be, let us open our hearts and homes to the Lord, as Zacchaeus did, so that on the day of our rebirth, the Lord might happily say, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19)

My first association with Brother Kwami was at the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International inaugural meeting of the Akosombo Chapter on January 9, 1988. After being convicted of my intellectualism and scepticism by the force of Kwami’s testimony. I surrendered myself to Jesus, invited Him into my heart amidst tears, and publicly confessed Him as my Lord and personal Saviour. It was a significant event, never before experienced in my life. It has since brought a great change in my life.

Kwami’s book is unique, in the sense that he is able to throw ample light, practically and logically, on the concept of spiritual rebirth as stated in the Bible. His logical reasoning on the need for all people, to be reborn and be reconciled to God to fulfil His purpose for the entire human race.

The chapters in which Rev. Kwami shows conclusive evidence that Christianity is not the (European’s) white man’s religion, are equally enlightening. On the contrary, the black race (African) has a rich Biblical heritage. He throws a challenge to Africans and the black race, in general, to embrace Christianity, which is the universal religion.

In his efforts to get more people into the Lord’s vineyard, he has provided practical answers to pertinent questions often posed by unbelievers and intellectuals as ‘excuse traps to salvation’. The New Birth, he further asserts, is to be maintained to the end through fellowshipping with other Christians, not only in our denominations but also with other fellowships outside our own.

MICHAEL PAUL ANSAH

(Retired Educationist, Historian and Politician)