Schedule | - 2:00 pm
From August 10 to 17, The Universal Church Will Hold a Special Week Dedicated to Baptisms in Water
First, it’s crucial to understand what baptism truly represents. It is not a ritual or a religious formality; it is a public act of faith in which a person declares, “I am ready to abandon my past and live according to God’s will.”
However, this fresh start involves more than just words; it requires renunciation, repentance, and obedience to God’s Word. After all, as the Bible teaches, we must spiritually die to our old selves and be reborn into a life guided by the Holy Spirit.
Consider what Acts 19:2-5 says:
He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ So they said to him, ‘We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.’ And he said to them, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ So they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Many people follow the Showdown of Faith TV program, the ULFN channel, and our social networks, watch biblical series (often seeing scenes of baptisms), and feel a desire to change and dedicate themselves to God. Still, they haven’t taken the ultimate step. They are similar to the Ethiopian eunuch described in Acts 8, who just needed a Philip to guide him to baptism.
Water baptism is a pivotal moment in one’s spiritual life. It symbolizes the spiritual death of the old self and the birth of a new creation, ready to live a sincere, steadfast, and practical faith. Therefore, even Jesus Himself was baptized to provide a clear example to follow, despite being without sin.
It’s critical to note that baptism is meaningful only when accompanied by true repentance and total surrender. Those who enter the waters with sincerity and repentance, who spiritually died for their sinful life, their old thoughts, choices, and behaviors, ‘bury’ in the waters their old self and emerge a different person by faith—stronger, cleansed, and with a peaceful conscience before God, who performs this miracle in their soul.
From August 10 to 17, The Universal Church will hold the Water Baptism Week. All worldwide locations will have pastors available to provide listening ears, spiritual guidance, and to baptize those who have decided to give their lives to the Lord Jesus.
You do not need to make an appointment; simply attend on the most convenient day and time for you, participate in the prayer meeting, and, if decided, be baptized. Baptisms will be conducted right after each prayer meeting throughout this special week.
Do not postpone what God has already placed within you. Take this opportunity to start a new life with Him. Take the first step!
Look for the nearest location of The Universal Church and speak to a pastor. Everyone is welcome, regardless of religious beliefs or background. Come as you are.
For locations of The Universal Church nationwide, please click here. For more information, please call 1-888-332-4141 or text 1-888-312-4141.
If you live in a city without one of our locations or cannot commute due to health reasons, we invite you to join our Virtual Church on Saturday at 8 AM CT / 9 AM ET via Zoom Conference. Click here for more information.
Contributors:
Sabrina Marques (Translated and Adapted From Original)
