In the New Testament, baptism followed repentance and faith. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter urged the crowd: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). About three thousand people responded, and “those who accepted his message were baptized” (Acts 2:41).

Here at Liberty Pentecostal Church, we continue this same pattern. We believe that those who have turned from sin and placed their faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life are encouraged to take this important step of obedience.

In the early church, baptisms often took place in public settings where family and friends could gather. This public act identified the believer as a follower of Christ. While baptisms today often occur inside church buildings for convenience, the public declaration remains an important part of its meaning. Through baptism, a person openly identifies Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The apostle Paul also taught that baptism symbolizes the believer’s union with Christ: “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:3–4).

Being immersed in water represents the end of the old life. Rising out of the water symbolizes the new life found in Christ. The believer who was once spiritually dead in sin has been made alive through the same power that raised Jesus from the grave. Water baptism is therefore an outward expression of an inward transformation.