Written by: Dr Peter Hammond
Article Source: Frontline Fellowship
The recent church attack at Centurion, 26 July 2020, came just a day after the anniversary of the St. James Massacre, 25 July 1993. The prompt action of an armed member of the congregation prevented a similar tragedy. Armed citizens can save lives. Unarmed citizens often become helpless victims. “But if anyone does not provide for his own and especially for those of his household, he has denied the Faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8
During times of crime, violence, instability and increasing threats against Christians worldwide, it is necessary to be prepared. Many churches are instituting security ministries, “…Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14
How prepared are you for crisis situations? Christians should wisely anticipate danger and make provision to deal with potential threats. “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3
We are not to fear the future. We are to fear God alone. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of sound mind. We are warned to plan for the future and to prepare ourselves for adversity. “For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.” Ecclesiastes 9:12
It was not raining when Noah built the Ark. To be mentally, emotionally and practically prepared for adversity and to cultivate situational awareness, is essential. “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10
The Law of God is clear: “If the thief is found breaking in and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.” Exodus 22:2
When terrorists attacked the St. James congregation in Cape Town, 25 July 1993, a Frontline Fellowship missionary, Charl van Wyk, shot back, wounding the terrorists who were machine-gunning the congregation, cutting short their attack. The Police Commissioner commended Charl’s prompt and courageous action which he said, doubtless, saved many lives.
On 29 December 2019, a man armed with his shotgun, entered West Freeway Church of Christ in Texas. He shot two church members before a Deacon on the church security team shot the attacker, ending the attack. The governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, publicly commended the prompt action of the church member who neutralised the threat and saved many lives by his accurate reaction. “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence.” Proverbs 3:25-26
With increasing attacks on churches in Nigeria, Egypt, Iraq, Kenya and Tanzania, it is important for Christians to take practical precautions to defend their families and congregations. For this reason, I produced the Security and Survival Handbook, drawing from 4 decades of experience serving Persecuted Churches, working in 38 countries and involved in 8 different wars. This looks at case studies, Biblical principles and practical strategies to save lives and protect our loved ones.
The right to life is in our Bill of Rights. Citizens have the right to be armed and to take reasonable precautions against clear and present dangers. Locking church doors during worship services, having security gates, assigning individuals for security duties, practising situational awareness, laminating windows, placing a grid over some windows to make it difficult to throw a fire-bomb, or grenade, through a vulnerable window, are just some of the practical security measures, congregations can consider where appropriate. “Watch, stand fast in the Faith, be brave, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
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Date published: 09/08/2020
Feature image: unsplash.com, pixabay.com
Dr. Peter Hammond has been a Missionary to the Persecuted Church for over 38 years and is the author of Security and Survival Handbook, www.FrontlineMissionSA.org.
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This must be the worst number of texts slapped together to fit a narrative that I have seen in a long time.
How about discussing that out fight is not against flesh and blood, but the powers and principalities? How about “if God is for us, who can be against us” or Ps 91, “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” and the well known Ps 23 “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”?
Under the new covenant we are supposed to rule over evil in the spiritual realm. What would have happened if someone rebuked the attackers in the spirit and commanded them to stop what they are doing in the All-mighty Name of Jesus?
My opinion is that we still don’t understand what it is to be a new creation in Christ and the authority and power we have in Him to rule.
It was in the 1990’s one cold winter’s Free State night my wife and left our farm in the Brandfort area to attend a church service in our Bloemfontein congregation. The elder’s message centered on having faith in God. He proclaimed that wearing a firearm is an act of having no faith in God. Immediately I felt guilty and condemned! My 9 mm pistol was tucked into my coat! Then something strange happened. As the elder preached, he became very dim and his words trailed off. Then I had a vision of what transpired in the garden of Gethsemene. When Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus told him to PUT THE SWORD BACK IN IT’S SHEATH (obviously to be used again) – not to throw it away. He did not reprimand Peter that by wearing and using a sword, he had no faith in Him (Jesus). Thereafter, the elder came into focus again, but such peace filled my inner being that I rejoiced inwardly and could not recall anything that the elder had to say.
Yrs
YES!
It’s your duty as a Christian to take on any war by any means if we want to live in peace!
YES
Trust the lord to protect you
Trust the lord to give you the tools to protect yourself
Trust the lord to with wisdom to allow you to know when to to use those tools.