A church in east China’s Jiangsu Province baptized 17 seekers for the first time in the year.
Nanjing Holy Light Church held its first baptism service of 2023 on February 12, with 17 members being converted to Christianity. Rev. Su Xile of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary preached a sermon with the title “God Is Here”.
“This is not an ordinary place, as the Lord is in the church,” Pastor Su said. He told worshippers that in the Old Testament inside the tent of meeting was a tabernacle, which became different because of the presence of God. So was the church today, he continued.
Then, the pastor shared a sermon about God’s presence from four aspects, such as God’s work, His words, His provision, and believers’ good behaviors.
Su told believers that God’s presence would bring power. When the Israelites were fighting against Jericho, they carried the Ark of the Covenant, which represented His presence.
Pastor Su mentioned that in the Old Testament, the center of the holy temple was the Tabernacle, the center of which were two tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed. He encouraged them to meditate on God’s words day and night to have a better life, instead of thinking about the trifles among people.
The servant of God shared examples from the Old Testament that the people of Israel were revived when the eleven tribes of Israel well provided for the tribe of Levi, who served exclusively in the temple. When they were unwilling to do that, they gradually declined.
Like the golden lampstand in the temple, Christians should set an example in speech and conduct, so as to glorify God, the pastor added.
After Su concluded his sermon, 17 candidates were baptized, with a communion service and commission service being hosted. They who are the world's light and salt were commissioned into society with God's blessing.
- Translated by Stephen Huang
