Explore Baptism
WRITTEN BY chris allison
I love our baptism meetings; hearing people’s real-life stories of the difference following Jesus has made in their lives is always deeply moving. In 2025, we baptised 61 people. Some were young people who had grown up in church but found Jesus for themselves, often at Newday. Others came from totally unchurched backgrounds. We heard stories of God setting people free from addictions, occult involvement, anxiety, and depression.
One person said, “I tried to live my life my way, but I’ve learned that when I do things my way, not a lot of good comes from it. I’ve repented of that, and I’m getting baptised because I want to live Jesus’ way.”
Another shared how, after years of depression and drug addiction, they found freedom through Jesus and a new sense of peace and joy through their relationship with God.
But why do we need to get into a pool of water and get wet to show that we love and want to live for Jesus?
The Bible teaches that baptism is a powerful symbol of what has already happened in our hearts when we put our trust in Jesus. Romans 6 tells us that when we are baptised, we are identifying with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Going down into the water represents dying to our old way of life — leaving behind sin, shame, and everything that once defined us. Coming back up out of the water represents being raised to a new life, with Jesus at the centre. It is a declaration that we no longer live for ourselves, but for Him.
Baptism is also a symbol of being washed clean. When we go under the water, it reminds us that through Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we are made new. No matter what our past looks like, God offers us a fresh start. We don’t carry our old guilt or failures anymore — we are washed, restored, and accepted by Him.
Baptism doesn’t make us Christians — faith in Jesus does that. But the Bible tells us both to “Believe and be baptised” (Mark 16:16) and “Repent and be baptised” (Acts 2:38). Getting baptised should be one of the first things we do as a public step of obedience that says, “My old life is gone, and I am choosing to follow Jesus.” It is a beautiful picture of transformation, showing that we are starting afresh with Jesus first in our lives.
That’s why baptism is such a celebration. It marks an incredible turning point in life, and that’s why I love that, as a church family, we can hear testimonies about what God is doing and cheer on those taking this brave step.
Let’s pray this year for even more people to get baptised and for many more stories of lives changed by Jesus!
If you are interested in finding out more about baptism, or if you have put your trust in Jesus but have not yet been baptised, Chris Allison is running an “Explore Baptism” session between the meetings on Sunday 1st March and Sunday 22nd March, in advance of our next baptism meeting on Sunday 5th April (Easter Sunday). Contact Chris at chris.allison@kingscommunitychurch.co.uk for more information or to sign up.
One person said, “I tried to live my life my way, but I’ve learned that when I do things my way, not a lot of good comes from it. I’ve repented of that, and I’m getting baptised because I want to live Jesus’ way.”
Another shared how, after years of depression and drug addiction, they found freedom through Jesus and a new sense of peace and joy through their relationship with God.
But why do we need to get into a pool of water and get wet to show that we love and want to live for Jesus?
The Bible teaches that baptism is a powerful symbol of what has already happened in our hearts when we put our trust in Jesus. Romans 6 tells us that when we are baptised, we are identifying with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Going down into the water represents dying to our old way of life — leaving behind sin, shame, and everything that once defined us. Coming back up out of the water represents being raised to a new life, with Jesus at the centre. It is a declaration that we no longer live for ourselves, but for Him.
Baptism is also a symbol of being washed clean. When we go under the water, it reminds us that through Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we are made new. No matter what our past looks like, God offers us a fresh start. We don’t carry our old guilt or failures anymore — we are washed, restored, and accepted by Him.
Baptism doesn’t make us Christians — faith in Jesus does that. But the Bible tells us both to “Believe and be baptised” (Mark 16:16) and “Repent and be baptised” (Acts 2:38). Getting baptised should be one of the first things we do as a public step of obedience that says, “My old life is gone, and I am choosing to follow Jesus.” It is a beautiful picture of transformation, showing that we are starting afresh with Jesus first in our lives.
That’s why baptism is such a celebration. It marks an incredible turning point in life, and that’s why I love that, as a church family, we can hear testimonies about what God is doing and cheer on those taking this brave step.
Let’s pray this year for even more people to get baptised and for many more stories of lives changed by Jesus!
If you are interested in finding out more about baptism, or if you have put your trust in Jesus but have not yet been baptised, Chris Allison is running an “Explore Baptism” session between the meetings on Sunday 1st March and Sunday 22nd March, in advance of our next baptism meeting on Sunday 5th April (Easter Sunday). Contact Chris at chris.allison@kingscommunitychurch.co.uk for more information or to sign up.