ESABELWENI- A 111-year-old woman was among 100 members of the Nazareth Baptist Church who confessed to the Shembe faith yesterday.
The members made their confessions through baptism, which took place at the Bhidlilili River in Mahlanya yesterday morning.
The history of the church states that Shembe is a spirit that descended from heaven and found a place in the flesh of a Zulu Prophet known as Isaiah before he founded the church in 1910.
It remains part of the church’s history that its founder declared that when his body rests in the grave, the spirit within him would not die but would instead find a place in the flesh of the living from one generation to the next.
As a result, members of the church believe that the spirit which descended into the founder now survives in the flesh of His Holiness Unyazi Lwezulu, the current leader of the church.
Members of the church believe that with the spirit in him, Unyazi Lwezulu is a 100 per cent African messiah and everything to them.
In an interview, Khathazile Nyawo explained that she had been a member of the church for some time but had not considered baptism because her spirit did not permit her to do so. However, she said she decided to be born again because her spirit was urging her to do so.
“I have seen great wonders at the Nazareth Baptist Church. My grandson, Vusumuzi Bennett, took me to hospital after I sustained a broken waist injury. The doctors told me that I had suffered a permanent disability and that I could not walk anymore. However, through Shembe, I can walk despite the doctors’ declaration,” she said.
Reverend Duma Dlamini from the Esabelweni church stated that the church believes every member should be born of water before receiving the Holy Spirit.
He explained that, for someone to be baptised, they must confess their sins and commence a new chapter in their life.
However, Dlamini also mentioned that forgiveness is available for those who sin after baptism. “I have been informed that 100 members registered for baptism,” he said.
During the baptism, some members screamed and rolled as if possessed by spirits.
The baptism of the new members coincided with the blessing of children in the name of His Holiness Unyazi Lwezulu Shembe at the local church headquarters.
Reverend Sbabangu, who conducted the blessing of the children, said it is customary for children and those blessed to be given tickets as members of the church.
Shabangu explained that the church’s principle requires children to undergo baptism once they reach 18 years of age and obtain second tickets.
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