At this point of the year, a familiar phrase surfaces everywhere: “New Year, New Me.” Many people enter January determined to leave the past behind and start fresh, filled with optimism and resolve, believing that this time everything will be different. While there is hope, there is also a common misconception: the idea that a new life will magically happen just because the calendar has changed and a ‘new cycle’ has begun.
The truth is that time alone doesn’t transform anyone. If it did, simply repeating the same declaration year after year would lead to different results. Yet for many, the same struggles, habits, disappointments and frustrations follow them from one year to the next. This shows us that a new life requires more than good intentions or wishful thinking—it requires a decision followed by action.
So, where does one begin?
To genuinely experience a ‘New Year, New Life’, there is no better starting point than water baptism—whether for those who have never taken this step or for those who may have been baptised before but without full sincerity or a clear understanding of its true meaning.
The Bible presents baptism not as a ritual, a religious formality or a symbolic tradition, but as a public declaration of faith, where the individual proclaims: “I am ready to leave the past behind and live according to God’s will.” It’s a decisive moment of letting go of the old life and beginning a new chapter with God.
When someone is baptised in water, they are not just entering the water; they are burying what no longer belongs in their life—past mistakes, destructive behaviours, guilt, and the old mindset that kept them stuck. Rising from the water symbolises the death of the old self and a new beginning, characterised by obedience, faith, and a commitment to living according to God’s will rather than one’s own impulses.
This is why water baptism is so powerful. It’s not about feelings or emotions, but about making a firm decision. It requires renunciation and sincere repentance; it marks the moment where a person stops waiting for change to happen and begins actively pursuing it. The Lord Jesus Himself, though sinless, was baptised to set a clear and powerful example for everyone to follow.
You are invited to take this step of faith and give real meaning to the idea of a new beginning. From 24 to 31 December, we will hold The Week of Water Baptism. If you are tired of repeating the same promises to yourself year after year, this may be the moment to start differently—not with words alone, but with a decisive act that opens the door to a truly transformed life.
Pastors will be available to assist, guide, and baptise those who decide to surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus. Take this first step—visit your nearest Universal Church and speak with a pastor.
For more information, please contact our 24-hour helpline at 020 7686 6000 or send a WhatsApp message to 020 7686 6010.
