Baptistic Theologies, 2009

The Lord’s Supper was always observed after the baptisms. Those newly baptised were able to participate for the first time. 62 A report in 1925 gives an insight into how a baptismal service could have an impact in a neighbourhood. The report states that: the next Sunday we were celebrating the baptism of 20 souls who testify that the Holy Spirit is living within them and that they are God’s children. After the morning service when we felt the Spirit of Christ, we went to the water which was about 3 kilometers from our town. On the banks of the river there were about 200 people - all outsiders. The Word of God was preached both in Polish and Russian. The catechumens were 54 The last interview with Adam Piasecki, Slowo Prawdy, No. 4, 90, pp. 15-17. 55 Chrzest podhtg Pisma sw, Slowo Prawdy, March 1928, No. 3, p. 4. Ruta Maksin, Poddzwigniesz fundamenty poprzednich pokolen, Slowo Prawdy, 1967, No. 10, p. 8. 57 Jan Petrasz, Z pracy misyjnej w Maloposce: Radosne zniwo, Slowo Prawdy, November 1926, No. 11, p. 4. 58 Uroczystosc chrztu we wsi Pnidwko po, Chehnskiego, Slowo Prawdy, November 1926, No. 11, p. 4. 55 Uroczystosc o uczuciach mieszanych, Slowo Prawdy, September 1964, No. 9, pp. 9-12. 60 Uroczystosc chrztu w Zberezu, Slowo Prawdy, September 1927, No. 9, p. 9. 61 M. Popko, Jak Pan Bog usuwa przeszkocly w zbudowanie krolestwa swojego na ziemi, Slowo Prawdy, November 1926, No. 11, p. 4. 62 ‘...A ludzie przychodzili i chrzcili sR’, Slowo Prawdy, August 1927, No. 8, p. 5. Between the Wars: Golden Years of Polish Baptists 97 immersed into the death of Christ. When all 20 people had been baptized, we returned to the house for prayer and singing. 63 The celebrations might continue for many hours. The believers normally returned to the church, partook of the Lord’s Supper, and often continued singing, praying and preaching - even into the early hours of the morning. Whole villages were shaken by the ‘performances’ of the Baptists. Both believers and unbelievers were attracted to the services. Music Although baptismal services constituted an obvious high point of Polish Baptist life, there were other features that were of great significance. One of these was the use of music in worship. Great efforts were made to make the celebration of worship in the churches spiritually attractive. The aim was to utilise all the different talents of the believers: orchestra, men’s choir, soloists, duets, recitation and congregational singing. The members worshipped God together - different ages, languages and cultures. Churches frequently scheduled services to celebrate special anniversaries. Such a celebration at the Lodz church was described as follows: .. .this special service started at 4 pm, the sanctuary was full of people. A local pastor, brother M. S. Lesik led the service. The orchestra under the direction of conductor Kowalski performed the hymn ‘Czynny badz’ (Be Active). After the hymn and pray