On September 14, the Holy Light Church in Jiangning District, Nanjing, held a baptism ceremony during the Sunday service, administering the sprinkling rite to 13 sisters and 1 brother. Immediately after the baptism, the church proceeded with the Holy Communion.
During the sermon in the Sunday worship, Senior Pastor Wu Jiangang continued with the third installment of the "Meditating on the Lord's Prayer" sermon series.
Before this, Pastor Wu had led the congregation through a series of studies; he once spent three years guiding brothers and sisters in learning the Christian catechism via the Sunday worship program sheets.
In the sermon, he took "Your kingdom come" as its thematic scripture. Pastor Wu shared from three perspectives: "What is the kingdom of God," "How to enter the kingdom of God," and "The dual meanings of 'Your kingdom come.'"
He explained that the kingdom of God is not a worldly regime but the realm where God reigns, which began with Jesus' first coming and will be fully realized at His second coming; seekers must earnestly study biblical truths, confess sins and repent under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, experience rebirth, to enter the kingdom of God; "Your kingdom come" both calls believers to wait patiently for the day when God fully reigns and encourages them to practice obedience in daily life, allowing God to rule in their lives.
After the sermon, Pastor Wu presided over the baptism ceremony. The fourteen seekers, wearing red flowers, stood solemnly in front of the pulpit and earnestly responded to the three questions posed by Pastor Wu: "Do you acknowledge that you are a sinner and are willing to accept Jesus as your savior?" "Are you willing to abide by the Lord's true way and become a good believer?" "Are you willing to comply with national laws and social order, be a good neighbor and good citizen, glorify God, and benefit others?"
Upon receiving clear and firm responses, Pastor Wu, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, administered the sprinkling rite to them.
With the baptism completed, the Holy Communion followed. The fourteen newly baptized brothers and sisters received the sacrament for the first time. During the Holy Communion, many believers were moved to tears, occasionally raising their hands to wipe them away.
The gathering concluded with a sending forth ceremony. The church commissioned every believer to enter society, to be the light and salt, and to bear a beautiful witness for the Lord; the congregation responded in unison: "Lord, here I am, please send me!"
Originally published by the Gospel Times
- Edited by Karen Luo and translated by Antonio Xu
