Pastor Peter Simpson was preaching the gospel in the centre of High Wycombe on June 28th, helped by Mrs Jenefer Campbell, Mrs Lis Outten and Mrs Lesley Pilkington.
Mrs Outten had a productive conversation with a Colombian lady about the state of the world and the fundamental reason behind all problems, namely departure from the Lord and His commandments.
Whilst Pastor Simpson was preaching, he emphasised how all need to come to Jesus Christ for a new heart, because what men are by nature is not good. As we read in Isaiah, “We are all as an unclean thing” (Isaiah 64:6). The minister went on to speak of how much Britain today is rebelling against God, and cited the example of telling schoolchildren that they can change their gender, if they feel a desire to do so. This represents nothing a blatant attack upon the wisdom of God who has fixed a person’s gender for all time.
At this point a middle-aged woman came up to the preacher and said that he should not be saying such things during ‘Pride month’, and that he was guilty of not loving his neighbour! Pastor Simpson responded that it is an act of love to one’s neighbour to point out the seriousness of sin. The lady accused the minister of singling out people and judging them, and also of breaking the Equality Act of 2010 by discriminating against them : all because he stated that it was wrong to suggest to children that boys can decide to be girls and vice versa. She said that she was going to report the preacher to the police. She also said that the preacher was homophobic. To which he relied that ‘homophobic’ was an artificial term invented for the sole purpose of shutting down debate.
At this point a young man intervened and disputed with Pastor Simpson, implying that the Bible endorses masters physically and severely beating their servants, even to the point of risking their death. Scripture, however, does not of course promote and legitimise the malicious mistreatment of servants, for we read in Colossians 4, “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1). The young m then accused Pastor Simpson of hating gay people , whereas the Bible states that we should love our neighbour. The minister replied that sexual relations between a man and a woman outside of marriage are sinful, but that of course does not mean that he hates all heterosexual people. Sadly, the young man ignored this point, and was not interested in continuing the debate after this, having spoken very dismissively and disrespectfully to Pastor Simpson.
May the Lord open this young man’s heart, who was so, so hostile to the word of God, and indeed may many others who heard gospel truth in High Wycombe upon this day .