Baptists are often perceived as hypnotized sectarians who have come under the influence of scammers. But let's look at the example of the Transfiguration Church in Samara, is it so.
What is Baptism?
This is one of the areas of Protestant Christianity. The teachings of the Baptists are based on freedom of choice. A distinctive feature of Christian teaching is their relationship to baptism. Baptism takes place every adult who is fully aware of the right to choose. The Baptists completely reject the baptism of infants, who thereby lose this right, since, according to the representatives of the Baptist movement, a person must already bear full responsibility for the abandonment of a sinful life in order to surrender to the service of the Lord.
The Baptist community stands for universal priesthood, and that each community has the right to independent existence. The Transfiguration Church in Samara is no exception.
A characteristic feature of all Baptist communities: the pastor is not the sole leader of the church. His responsibilities are very limited. And all the important issues of the community are accepted at church councils.
The history of the creation of the Church of the Transfiguration in Samara (late 19th century - 1927)
The history of the emergence of the church dates back to the late 19th century. Then from Saratov to Samara came two brothers, who at that time were representatives of the Baptist movement. Their main goal was to open a store where they could sell Old and New Testament books. At the same time, one of the brothers, Perk Petr Petrovich, began to look for like-minded people in Samara. As a result, he found them in the person of Molokans - spiritual Christians.
But even before Perk arrived, the first who visited the Molokans' house was D. Y. Delyakov, who liked their creed. It was based on the freedom of thought. The Molokans claimed that appeals to the Lord can be not only in the form of memorized prayers for everyone, but also that each person can turn to Him with those words that come from the heart. Subsequently, Delyakov himself began to read sermons, which were attended by a large number of people.
His sermons were based on the testimony of Jesus Christ as the savior of mankind from sins.
And later, Perk was invited to put sermons on music for easier perception of parishioners. Songs evoked new bright feelings and thoughts in people. But the parishioners did not know how to turn to the Lord with them, since the songs began to differ significantly from the Molokan tunes. Thus, a need arose to organize a new line of belief. Like-minded people began to gather in Uklein's apartment, Y. V. During one of these meetings, Pyotr Chekmarev, who was 16 at that time, turned to the Lord. It was at this moment, it is believed that in Samara began the construction of the work of God. Over the years, the number of parishioners in the community has grown more and more.
And already at the beginning of the last century Uklane Y. V. and his wife rented an apartment in order to conduct regular services. At the same time, after baptism on the Samarka River, services began with sermons from Perk, Vorobyov and Stoyakin.
A great role in the development of the community was played by P. Grachev, who was an ardent opponent of the meetings and sermons. But at some time he was interested in the services in the form of chants. And only later he began to serve the Lord until the end of his days.
They lived in the community merrily and amicably, fully devoting themselves to the service of the Lord. The family grew, there was a need for expansion. And already in 1907, the community was able to acquire a two-story prayer house, which was built by Reshetnikov.
From that moment on, the life of the community began to boil even more intensely. And already in 1927, the 25th anniversary of the Transfiguration Church in Samara was celebrated.
The history of the development of the community in the middle of the last century
After the revolution, all services were persecuted, and preachers were locked up in prisons or sent to collective farms for work.
During the Second World War, the people had a decadent mood, and the authorities allowed them to openly gather for services. They began to renew in the apartments of individual parishioners. The Transfiguration Church in Samara began to experience a revival. In 1954, a new house of worship was opened. And already in 1976 the “big construction” of the new prayer complex began.
During the years of perestroika, more and more sermons were held throughout the country. Many people began to turn to the Baptist faith. And accordingly, there was a need for the construction of new buildings for worship.
Location and preaching at the Transfiguration Church in Samara
The community is located in Samara on the street. Perekopskaya 30. You can get there either by public transport or by private.
Services are held every Sunday at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. On Fridays, prayer services are held at 10 a.m.
The community is active on the Internet. On the community website you can find the sermons of Ryaguzov V. S., watch live broadcasts of the Transfiguration Church in Samara. Also, his blog is Alexei Prokopenko. After the sermons, each of the ministers will answer any question that interests parishioners.