Baie dankie aan ons boeta Charl van Wyk van die Community Church wat hierdie Vrydag se spreker vir ons aanbeveel het.
Pastor Siniko Nxesi is a true soldier for Christ. Despite being shot in the arm and back, during a church robbery, he has remained steadfast in his faith and prayers. The horrific experience has not only made him a stronger Christian but solidified his resolve to radically fight for the Kingdom of God.
Siniko is now a convenor of Pastors Against Church Closures – a four-month-old national movement that has birthed a new desire among pastors to stand in unity for the sake of the Gospel, and righteousness in our society.
God’s Word is clear; we are commanded by the Lord to observe a sabbath rest and keep it holy; we are to gather around the Word and receive communion; we are commanded not to give up meeting together; we are commanded to make disciples of all nations, teach, and baptize; to lay hands on and send out missionaries. Elders of the church are to pray over and anoint the sick with oil; we are required to sing together, greet one another, bear one another’s burdens, and exercise church discipline.
Pastors have struggled with the question: What should we do if worldly powers interfere with Christ’s clear commands to His Church?
Martin Luther wrote:
“Those who are engaged in a spiritual ministry such as preachers and pastors must likewise remain steadfast before the peril of death. We have a plain command from Christ, “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, but the hireling sees the wolf coming and flees” (John 10:11). For when people are dying, they most need a spiritual ministry which strengthens and comforts their consciences by word and sacrament and in faith overcomes death.”
