VLADIMIR – On July 7, water baptism took place in the Emmanuel Church in Vladimir. Believers from the churches of the Vladimir Association of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith/Pentecostals gathered at the festive service. “Today you make a promise to the Lord to be not just believers, but true disciples of Jesus Christ,” Alexei Nikolaev, pastor of the Moscow Emmanuel Church, addressed the church. — To be a disciple means to be where the Master is: in the church, in the circle of saints, in the home group, in the ministry. It means hearing His voice, which Solomon once asked for. To hear Him in your prayer, in the Holy Scriptures, not to follow your feelings and desires, but to listen to Him and act according to what you hear from the Master.
Bishop Sviatoslav Purshaga emphasized that the desire to be baptized is not enough: “Going for baptism, it is important to have a sincere heartfelt repentance, turn away from sin and strive with all our being to God. Only then will our promise to Him be acceptable to the Lord. The Lord responds to this promise on our part with the gift of salvation.”
Both young, middle-aged and elderly people were baptized. Everyone had a story of how they came to God and decided to covenant with Him. Some shared testimonies.
Dmitry, 45 years old
“My wife prayed for me for 10 years. And I have seen God in my life. He saved me from death many times, I can't even count how many. Apparently, He was saving me for something bigger.
This year I decided to make a covenant with God. For me it is repentance before Him and I expect Him to forgive, heal and renew me and show me the way to serve Him. I dream that the Lord will bless me to attend Bible school.”
Vlad, 20 years old
“I am grateful to Jesus for coming into my life and directing it. He has delivered me from addictions, helped me forgive those who were unfair to me. I have found the meaning of life in Christ. Without Him and without the church, I feel empty and feel like a nobody.
Baptism is a serious step for me, there is no turning back. It is like a stamp in my passport. I belong to Christ.
Ksenia, 19 years old
“My introduction to the Emmanuel Church happened last year during a summer baptism service. I looked at the people who dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ and realized that next year I would be in their place! Because the Lord is the One to whom I aspire and have always aspired.
For me, water baptism is a symbol of purification and resurrection. When you leave behind your past life, die to yourself and this world, and choose to follow God, serving him with a clear and good conscience. In other words, a marvelous renewal and acquisition of a truly happy life with Christ!”
At the end of the service, all who were in covenant with God received holy communion. The pastors and the entire congregation blessed the new members of the spiritual family and prayed for them, asking for the power of the Holy Spirit.
Emmanuel Church, Vladimir
The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith/Pentecostals