A church in north China’s Shanxi Province reopened after an eight-month lockdown, hosting a baptism and communion service.
Believers from other areas gathered in Yaodu District Church, Linfen City, which was the first church that resumed onsite services in the district on August 7. Following the COVID-19 protocols, they were seated under the guidance of the usher.
Preparations were made for the baptism in the basement. In addition to registering relevant information, catechumens were undergoing a test demonstrating their faith, sharing their faith story, their knowledge about Jesus, and the reason for baptism. The elder who inquired told them, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved."
After the congregation recited the Apostles' Creed with hymns from the choir, Pastor Wang Shuai delivered a sermon titled "New Life", citing 2 Corinthians 5:17. He explained that a new believer should be a new creation who accepted, forgave, and loved one another like Jesus Christ to show His beauty.
Before the communion service, 11 male members and 31 female seekers were baptized.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
山西一教堂在因疫情暂停实体礼拜八个月后重新开门。在八月第一个主日，举办了复堂、受洗、圣餐感恩崇拜。
8月7日，来自四面八方的众弟兄姊妹就赶往山西省临汾市尧都区基督教会，大家测温、登记、查看行程码、健康码和场所码，在服侍人员引领下进入礼拜堂落座。
地下室内，受洗前的预备正在进行，除了登记相关信息之外，受洗前的信德考试也在进行。信耶稣的经历、对耶稣的认识如何？为什么要受洗?负责询问的长老告诉他们，“信而受洗的必然得救。”
会众在宣颂《使徒信经》和诗班献唱后，王帅传道以哥林多后书5：17的经文，作了《新生命，新生活》的主题证道，从三个方面进行分享：一、彼此接纳；二、彼此饶恕；三、彼此相爱。阐明一个人受洗归主，就成为新生的样式，做新造的人，要效法主耶稣基督彼此接纳、饶恕、相爱，彰显耶稣基督的荣美。
此后杨森林牧师、陈丽长老依次为11名弟兄和31名姊妹施圣洗礼
最后大家又一齐分领了圣餐。
https://www.gospeltimes.cn/article/index/id/63958
山西临汾尧都区基督教会城区堂复堂感恩崇拜侧记
A church in north China’s Shanxi Province reopened after an eight-month lockdown, hosting a baptism and communion service.
Believers from other areas gathered in Yaodu District Church, Linfen City, which was the first church that resumed onsite services in the district on August 7. Following the COVID-19 protocols, they were seated under the guidance of the usher.
Preparations were made for the baptism in the basement. In addition to registering relevant information, catechumens were undergoing a test demonstrating their faith, sharing their faith story, their knowledge about Jesus, and the reason for baptism. The elder who inquired told them, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved."
After the congregation recited the Apostles' Creed with hymns from the choir, Pastor Wang Shuai delivered a sermon titled "New Life", citing 2 Corinthians 5:17. He explained that a new believer should be a new creation who accepted, forgave, and loved one another like Jesus Christ to show His beauty.
Before the communion service, 11 male members and 31 female seekers were baptized.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Shanxi Centurial Church Resumes In-Person Sunday Worship With Baptism
