Short answer

Because Jesus told His followers to be baptised. Water baptism is a believer’s public declaration that they have died with Christ and been raised to new life with Him. We baptise by full immersion those who have repented and trusted in Jesus.

A command, not an option

Jesus’ last instruction to His disciples was to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). When the crowd at Pentecost asked what they should do, Peter answered, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38). All through Acts, people who believed were baptised, usually straight away.

What it means

Baptism is a picture of what has already happened inside. Going under the water shows that our old life has been buried with Christ; coming up shows that we have been raised with Him to live a new life (Romans 6:3-4). It is also a public confession: telling family, friends and church that you belong to Jesus.

Baptism does not save anyone; faith in Jesus does. But a person who trusts Jesus will want to obey Him, and this is the first thing He asks.

Who and how

We baptise people who have personally repented and believed, which is why we do not baptise babies (we dedicate them instead and pray for them). The word “baptise” means to dip or immerse, so we baptise by going fully under the water, just as the Ethiopian official and Philip both went down into the water (Acts 8:38).

If you have trusted Jesus and have not been baptised, please speak to one of the leaders. We hold baptisms regularly and would be delighted to prepare you.

How this connects across the Bible

The Bible is one story. Here is how this theme runs from the Old Testament to Jesus:

  • Noah and his family were brought safely through the waters of judgement (Genesis 7:23); Peter says baptism corresponds to this rescue (1 Peter 3:20-21).
  • Israel passed through the Red Sea out of slavery (Exodus 14:22); Paul calls this a baptism into Moses and a pattern for us (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).
  • Naaman was cleansed by dipping seven times in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:14); John baptised in the same river, and Jesus was baptised there too (Matthew 3:13-16).
  • Ezekiel promised God would sprinkle His people clean and give them a new heart (Ezekiel 36:25-26); baptism shows that cleansing and new life (Acts 22:16, Romans 6:4).

What we believe at Spring Valley

We believe that all who have truly repented and believed in Christ as Lord and Saviour are commanded to be baptised by immersion in water.

Our full Statement of Faith

Your next step

Ready to be baptised, or want to ask about it first? Message us on WhatsApp or speak to a leader on Sunday. Read What is Holy Communion? for the other thing Jesus asked His church to keep doing.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Read the Bible free in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, English and many more languages at bible.com.