GROWTH CONTINUES IN TLOTW;
THOUSANDS ARE BAPTIZED IN BETHEL
August 13, 2023 / The Light of the World
During the Holy Convocation 2023, 3,200 people from all states of the Mexican Republic were baptized by faith, freely and voluntarily, without coercion or external pressure.
The baptismal ceremony was officiated by 100 Deacons at 2 baptismal pools set up in the temple in the Bethel neighborhood of the city of Guadalajara. A group of 30 additional ministers and 80 sisters were responsible for ensuring that the baptisms were performed in accordance with the established doctrinal protocol.
Baptism was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and for the salvation of souls (Mark 16:16). Aspiring candidates for baptism believe wholeheartedly in God, recognize Jesus Christ as our savior and have the commitment to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The sanctifying effect of this sacred ceremony is immediate upon the invocation of the Name of Jesus Christ by a minister authorized by apostolic authority.
In his first mass conversion preaching, which led about three thousand people to the faith, Apostle Peter spoke to the Jews about the necessity to accept Jesus Christ as their savior for forgiveness of sins: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
Before the celebration of the first baptisms in the early Church, the Lord Jesus spoke on the subject on several occasions. He did so in His nighttime conversation with Nicodemus to whom He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). In response to the Rabbi’s incomprehension, the teacher from Nazareth explained further, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
The Lord Jesus was not referring to natural birth but to spiritual birth for a new life.
Just as human birth is the beginning of aperson’s life, baptism marks the beginning of the believer’s spiritual life.
DATA:
BAPTISM
3200
OFFICIATING DEACONS
100
DEACON ASSISTANTS
100
BAPTISMS FOUNTAINS
2
AUXILIARY MINISTERS
30
The term “baptism” comes from the Greek word “baptizo,” which means to immerse. This is precisely what the officiant does during baptism: fully immerses the person in water, signifying they enter into a new life, as apostle Paul wrote, “For we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
When the believer is washed by the blood of Christ in baptism, they become
spiritually integrated into the body of Christ and, by His mercy, gain the right to all
blessings, including the blessing of participating in the Holy Supper instituted by
the Son of God in memory of His death.
During the Holy Convocation 2023, thousands of believers from Mexico chose freely,
voluntarily, and consciously, to be baptized without coercion or external pressure,
exercising their freedom to choose the religion of their choice.
On Sunday, August 13th, the authorized deacons, as well as the candidates for baptism, arrived at the location in the Bethel neighborhood of Guadalajara, where the baptisms were conducted in accordance with Christian doctrine, creating an atmosphere of spiritual joy.
From now on, the baptized faithful are part of the body of Christ, and they will have
the blessing to sit at the Lord’s Table to partake of bread and wine, blessed with
apostolic authority.
With the baptisms celebrated on this day, it is evident that, in accordance with God’s promise of unimaginable growth to His messenger, this people continues from triumph to triumph.
