Converting to God
As soon as she finished speaking, Mother Helen, who was wearing a white sacrificial robe, walked in with Miss Mary. Two nuns followed behind her. One held the Holy Body, and the other held the Holy Water. Miss Mary laid a white cloth on the table and placed the Holy Body on the table.
Granny Helen spoke fluent Mandarin with a Shanghai accent. After exchanging a few words with the patient's family, she walked to the patient's bed and asked Tian Meixiu,"How are you? Can you get up?”
"Hello, I can get up," replied Tian Meixiu.”
Baptism was a rite of passage for the Roman Church. The celebrant recited the scriptures, poured water on the head of the baptized person, or soaked the baptized person's body in water, indicating that the original sin and sin of the believer were forgiven, and that the believer was given grace and a seal to become a believer.
The grace of baptism was quite rich, including the forgiveness of original sin and all original sins, obtaining new life, making the recipient become God's adopted son or daughter, a member of the body of Jesus, and the palace of the Holy Spirit.
Usually, before baptism, one had to go through about a year's worth of homework. They had to have a true understanding of the ideas of the Church, voluntarily convert to Jesus, and submit an application. The priest would preside over the ceremony in the church. The day of baptism was usually chosen to be held on Easter, which meant that they would become new people together with Jesus.
However, for patients, especially those who were critically ill, the baptism could be held in front of the bed at any time. As long as they were members of the church, they could preside over the ceremony.
After chatting with Madam Zhao and Madam Shi, Granny Helen asked Tian Meixiu,"Why did you ask for a baptism?"
Tian Meixiu replied,"I want to convert to Jesus and ask God to forgive my sins."”
Helen asked Tian Meixiu to stand up next to the bed and asked Madam Zhao and Madam Shi to stand on both sides of Tian Meixiu. She asked Miss Mary to move the bucket of holy water to her side.
After making all the preparations, she looked at the watch on her left wrist. When the hour hand pointed to 10:30, she announced the start of the baptism.
Granny Helen said to Tian Meixiu,"Tian Meixiu, you asked to be baptized because you are willing to be like other members of the church and obtain eternal life. This eternal life is for you to know and believe in God, and in Jesus, whom he has sent, and to live this life according to the teachings of Jesus. This is the Christian faith, you know?”
"I know." Tian Meixiu replied softly.
"Do you promise that after you have recovered your strength, you will take time to know Jesus better, to learn His teachings, and to complete all the lessons of being a Christian?”
"I promise."
Helen said to Mrs. Shi," As a substitute mother, you have heard her determination. Are you willing to remind her often in the future and help her learn the lessons of Jesus, interact with the community, and be a good member of the church?”
"I'm willing." Madam Shi answered piously.
Helen turned to the crowd and asked,"Dear church members present, are you willing to bear witness for Tian Meixiu?"”
"We are willing." Everyone answered in unison.
Helen said to Mixiu,"Tian Mixiu, by the command of the Lord Jesus, you will be baptized to have eternal life." Listen now to the Lord Jesus's message:
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a leader of the Jewry. One night, he came to Jesus and said to him,'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher from God, because if God is not with him, no one can do these miracles that you have done.'
Jesus answered,'I tell you the truth: Unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'Nicodemus said,'How can a man be reborn when he is old? Could it be that he could reincarnate in his mother's womb?'
Jesus answered,'I tell you the truth: Unless a man is born of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What was born from flesh belonged to flesh, and what was born from god belonged to god.'This is the word of God."
"We praise You," they said in unison.”
Mother Helen briefly explained the meaning of this part of the Gospels, and then said,""Now, please pray for Tian Meixiu, her substitute mother, her family, and all the relatives and friends present.”
Miss Mary continued,"Please, Lord, increase Tian Mixiu's faith in our Savior, Jesus, and obtain true peace." For this, we pray together.
They said,"Lord, listen to us."”
Miss Mary said,"May the Lord, through the Baptism, grant her the eternal life that Jesus won through his own sufferings and resurrection, and make her a holy child of the Father." For this, we pray together."
They said,"Lord, listen to us."”
Lady Mary said,"God, please grant her health and peace, so that she may know, follow, and bear witness to Jesus." For this, we pray together."
They said,"Lord, listen to us."”
Miss Mary said,"We have become one through Baptism. May the Lord keep us always in the same faith and love, and live the life of a Christian with hope." For this, we pray together."
They said,"Lord, listen to us."”
Mother Helen said,"Lord, hear our prayers, and look upon the faith and desire of your beloved Tian Meixiu; May she be reborn through water and the Holy Spirit, free from sin, and receive the life of Jesus, and become Your adopted daughter, joining Your holy people. In the name of the Lord Jesus, hear our prayers.”
"Amen," they said.
He Hailun said,"Tian Meixiu, before I baptize you, please try your best to express your determination to convert to God. Together with the believers present, you must renounce your sins and confess your faith."”
She paused for a moment and continued to ask,"Will you renounce sin and all its deeds, temptations, and devils?”
Tian Meixiu and the others answered in unison,"Yes."”
Helen asked,"Do you believe that the almighty God created heaven and earth?”
Tian Meixiu said to everyone,"I believe you."”
Helen asked,"Do you believe in our Lord Jesus, the only son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, who suffered, died and rose again, and now enjoys glory in heaven?"”
Tian Meixiu said to everyone,"I believe you."”
Helen asked," Do you believe in holiness, the Holy Church, the intercommunication of all saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the flesh, and eternal life?”
Tian Meixiu said to everyone,"I believe you."”
After the oath of faith was completed, Granny Helen began to baptize Tian Meixiu.
She picked up a special ladle from the bucket and poured water on Tian Meixiu's head. At the same time, she said,"Mary, I baptize you in the name of the Father (the first time I pour water), the Son (the second time I pour water), and the Holy Spirit (the third time I pour water).”
(At this time, Granny Helen had already given Tian Meixiu a baptismal name of Mary, also known as a Christian name or a holy name.）
Madam Zhao and Madam Shi, who were standing at the side, immediately wiped the water off Tian Meixiu's neck with a towel. Granny Helen then performed " Strengthening " on Mixiu." Dear Mary, you have been reborn in Jesus and become a part of Jesus and his priesthood. Now, you have to receive the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit that descended upon us, descended upon Jesus when he was baptized, and was sent by the Lord on the Day of Pentecost to descend upon the Apostles, who, together with their heirs, bestowed the Holy Spirit upon the baptized. Now we pray that the Holy Spirit of God will descend upon you, and make you perfect like Jesus.”
After she finished speaking, she covered Tian Meixiu's hand and read,"Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus! By water and the Holy Spirit, You have freed this Mary from sin and given her a new life; Send the holy spirit of the benefactor into her heart, and give her the god of wisdom and intelligence, the god of transcendence and fortitude, the god of understanding, filial piety, love, and awe. In the name of the Lord Jesus, hear our prayers.”
"Amen," they said.
Granny Helen dipped her right thumb in holy oil and applied oil to Tian Meixiu. She drew a cross on Tian Meixiu's forehead and said,""Maria, please use this seal to receive the Divine Grace.”
"Amen."
"Peace be upon you," said Mother Helen.”
Tian Meixiu replied,"Thank God."”
The new book asks you to be safe, ask you to collect well; I hope you will come often and ask for a reward.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。