Livestreamed baptism in Rome allows gospel to go out in midst of crisis

Livestreamed baptism in Rome allows gospel to go out in midst of crisis

By Reid Karr
International Mission Board

In Italy, the coronavirus has hit particularly hard, infecting more than 74,000 people and killing more than 7,500.

As in other parts of the world, the numerous social restrictions enacted to combat the virus are of course having a significant impact on religious and church meetings of any kind.

Churches have had to cancel services and find creative ways to meet and have community.

Modern technology has been a huge blessing and help for many seeking corporate worship.

Finding truth

On Sunday, March 8 in Rome, Italy, the evangelical churches Breccia di Roma San Paolo and Breccia di Roma centro (downtown) were to meet together to celebrate the baptism of Akille De Chirico.

Akille was adopted as a young boy from Ethiopia into an Italian family. Akille spent his childhood in a home where the gospel was taught and lived, and he followed his family to church where the gospel was faithfully preached.

For Akille, however, Christianity was just one religion among many and had no claim to absolute truth.

Akille began attending the church plant Breccia di Roma San Paolo in September 2018.

The Lord built on the foundation of his many years of exposure to the gospel and opened his eyes to the exclusive truth claims of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Akille made the decision to follow his profession of faith in Jesus with believer’s baptism.

The evening before his baptism, however, the government implemented new regulations that forbid all religious meetings and ceremonies. The churches simply could not meet for the baptism.

Relatives had traveled in from out of town and were themselves worried about getting home with new travel bans.

While the churches planned to respect the government regulations, they did not want to forego the opportunity to celebrate the new life Akille has in Christ and the testimony of his baptism.

Church leaders made the decision to move the baptism to his house. He would be baptized in the bathtub and those present would witness a visible demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thankful for technology

While a handful of church members and relatives gathered at his house, others participated in the service thanks to a livestream of the celebration.

Approximately 40 church members streamed the baptism live, and to date approximately 1,500 people have viewed the baptism online.

The churches are thankful for the technology that permits them to celebrate the gospel in unusual circumstances, such as the coronavirus outbreak. Akille’s baptism, and its broadcast, is an example of God bringing glory to Himself during this crisis.

To God be the glory

Adopted into a loving family here on earth, Akille has now also been adopted into a heavenly family by an eternal and loving God.

Coronavirus or no coronavirus, church members and hundreds more witnessed Akille’s baptism that visibly testifies to his eternal adoption and his new life in Jesus Christ.

To God be all the glory, and may He continue to be at work through the church to bring more to a saving faith in Christ. (IMB, TAB)

EDITOR’S NOTE — As of March 27, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports 509,085 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease and 23,334 deaths worldwide due to COVID-19.