Learn About and Signup Below for Baptism!
Baptism is a BIG next step! Before you get baptized, you'll want to understand what it is, what it means, and what to expect. If you have any questions, be sure to ask one of the Revelation Ministry Team members!
Is water baptism my next step?
On the day the Church was born, the Apostle Peter preached the first message about Jesus to devout Jews in Jerusalem. When they responded to his message with newfound belief, they asked, “what should we do?” His answer is recorded in the book of Acts.
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Here are three questions to determine whether you should be baptized:
- Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth to die for your sins?
- Have you decided to change your life by choosing to learn what the Bible teaches, apply Jesus’ teachings to your life, and to become publicly known as a follower of Jesus?
- Have you prayed and told Jesus that you want to be forgiven of your sins and to follow him the rest of your life?
If your answers are “Yes” to each of those questions, then you have come to belief in Jesus and chosen repentance. Water baptism is your next step in your journey of faith and discipleship!
Important Note: Because baptism is a decision requiring a recognition of sin and professed faith, and the fruit of repentance, Revelation does not baptize babies or young children who are unable to articulate any kind of belief.
What is the purpose of water baptism?
Water baptism first appeared in the New Testament when a man called John the Baptist began preaching in Israel. His message was simple: The Kingdom of Heaven is very close, so change your lives and get ready!
Matthew 3:1-6 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
When Jesus arrived on the scene soon after, like John the Baptist, he also preached repentance. When people began to identify with Jesus’ teachings, they were baptized by His disciples.
John 3:26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”
John 4:1-3 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee.
So, the first reason that someone would choose to baptized is to show that they have repented – chosen to change their life.
Another reason a person would choose to be baptized is to be obedient to Jesus. Baptism was part of Jesus’ final instructions to his disciples. This is what is known as the Great Commission, and it is recorded by three of the writers of the New Testament.
Matthew 28:16-20 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Luke 24:45-47 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
When the Disciples of Jesus began to preach around the known world, those who believed chose to be baptized. It was seen as a washing away of their sins and a new clean life in Christ.
After Peter preached on that first day of the Church, and gave instructions to the people gathered in Jerusalem, those that believed were baptized.
Acts 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Disciple named Philip traveled to Samaria and preached there about Jesus. When they believed, Philip baptized them as followers of Jesus.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Philip then was led to an Ethiopian eunuch who he found studying the Scriptures. When Philip explained the meaning of what the eunuch was reading about Jesus, the eunuch responded by requesting baptism.
Acts 8:36-38 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
The Apostle Peter was led by the Spirit of God to the house of a Roman centurion named Cornelius. After Peter shared about Jesus, the Holy Spirit moved upon Cornelius and his family, just as Peter and the other disciples had experienced. Peter commanded them to be baptized as followers of Jesus.
Acts 10:47-48 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
The Apostle Paul met some of John the Baptist’s disciples as he journeyed to the city of Ephesus. Upon hearing of their faith in John’s teaching, he taught them about Jesus, and they were baptized in Jesus’ name to become his disciples.
Acts 19:4-5 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The Apostle Paul recounted his own conversion experience, how when he had a revelation of Jesus and repented, he was instructed to be baptized.
Act 22:16 And now why do you [Paul] wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
Like those early believers, we are baptized to identify ourselves publicly and spiritually as followers of Jesus. In baptism, we take off our old way of life and put on a new life in Jesus. We symbolically follow him into his death (when we choose to change), his burial (when we go down in the water), and his resurrection (when we rise from the water).
Romans 6:3-4 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
In the Old Testament, we read of a man named Abraham with whom God chose to make a covenant (agreement or contract). Abraham would follow God, and God would watch over and bless him and his family. To show that Abraham agreed to the covenant, the physical mark of circumcision was placed on every male in Abraham’s family. It was through the lineage of Abraham that God chose to bless the world with Jesus Christ. Baptism correlates to that ancient covenant by marking us spiritually as belonging to Jesus. This makes us a part of Abraham’s family of faith and heirs of the same promises that God made to him.
Colossians 2:11-12 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Galatians 3:27-29 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
What will happen at my baptism?
- Someone from Revelation will contact you with instructions for your baptism day. You will be informed as to when to arrive, what to wear, and where to be at the appropriate time.
- When it is your turn, carefully climb into the baptistery. You will want to squat down until the water is about chest height.
- The minister baptizing you may give a brief explanation of baptism to those attending your baptism, talk about your journey of faith, or share something encouraging.
- You will pinch your nose closed with one hand and place the other hand over the first.
- The minister will pronounce that they are baptizing you in the name of Jesus, and with one hand on your hands, and one hand behind you, lower you under the water until you are immersed completely. You will be immediately lifted back up.
- After you are lifted from the water - SMILE! You belong to the family of Jesus, and we – your spiritual family - are all celebrating with you! You may also want to lift your hands and give praise to God for what He is doing in your life.
- Carefully exit the baptistery and follow the instructions you were given prior as to where to change into dry clothes.
You will also be given a certificate to commemorate this wonderful day. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!