Become a Christian · Riverside, CA
How to become a Christian in Riverside — the Acts 2 way.
When a crowd in Jerusalem asked "what shall we do?", Peter gave a four-part answer that still stands: believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; repent; be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:36-38). You can do all of that in Riverside this week. No class, no membership, no cost.
What Peter actually said
The first time anyone ever asked "how do I become a Christian?" was about fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead, in Acts chapter 2. Peter had just told a Jerusalem crowd that Jesus — the man they crucified — is both Lord and Christ. The text says they were "cut to the heart" and asked what to do. Here's the answer, straight from the source:
"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."
— Acts 2:38
Believe
That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. That's how Peter confessed Him (Matthew 16:16) and how John said we come to life in His name (John 20:31). Not a vague spiritual feeling — a settled conviction about who Jesus is.
Repent
Turn around. Not "feel bad about yourself" — change direction, away from your old life and toward God. It's a decision, and you can make it anywhere in Riverside, today.
Be baptized
Full immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. In the Bible people were baptized the same day they believed — no waiting period, no committee (Acts 8:36-38). Any believer can baptize you.
Receive the Holy Spirit
"The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off" (Acts 2:39). God doesn't leave you to figure the rest out alone.
Following Jesus in Riverside
A few Riverside-specific things worth knowing. The city is big — over 320,000 people spread from La Sierra to Canyon Crest — so "near me" matters; tell us your neighborhood and we'll connect you with the closest people, not just the closest zip code. UCR students: campus small groups come and go with the academic year, but a living-room church doesn't graduate. And summers hit 105°F, which is why evening studies on somebody's patio outlast Sunday-morning anything.
Riverside has more than 300 church buildings, which makes it easy to assume following Jesus here means picking one and showing up on Sundays. It never did. Since 1909 people have been climbing Mount Rubidoux for the sunrise Easter service — no pews up there, just a cross and whoever came. That's closer to the original than most of what happens indoors.
We're a handful of ordinary people in the Inland Empire — Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Jurupa Valley — who meet in living rooms, read the Bible, eat together, and help wherever there's a need. Nobody's paid. Nothing's collected. If you're in the 951 and you want in, you're in.
These are real questions we've been asked in Riverside — over coffee downtown, on the Mount Rubidoux trail, after someone found one of our signs. Straight answers below, verses included so you can check whether we're making it up.
Where to get baptized in Riverside
Baptism is full immersion chosen by someone who believes Jesus is the Son of God and is ready to repent (Acts 2:38; 8:36-38). In Riverside, a permitted private pool or suitable bathtub is usually simplest. City pools require advance approval. Lake Evans is not a swimming location, and a distant beach should never be assumed safe or available.
A private or apartment pool
Across Riverside
Get clear owner or management permission, follow occupancy and guest rules, and plan a safe entry and exit.
City of Riverside pools
Municipal aquatic facilities
Contact the specific facility first. Confirm explicit permission, schedule, admission or rental costs, supervision, and group requirements.
A suitable bathtub
At home
A tub may allow careful full immersion year-round. Use non-slip footing and enough assistance to protect the person being baptized.
A permitted private indoor pool
Inland Empire
Arrange access directly with the operator and confirm that baptism is allowed. Do not use Lake Evans; swimming is not a listed use of the lake.
No one in Riverside to baptize you? Tell us with the form below or text (909) 375-3787. We will personally make sure it happens — that's a promise, not a marketing line.
Becoming a Christian — honest questions
Where can I get baptized in Riverside?
A permitted private pool or suitable bathtub is usually simplest. City pools require advance approval. Do not use Lake Evans, and do not assume a distant beach is safe or available without checking official conditions and permissions. Any follower of Jesus may baptize a believer; contact us if you need free help arranging it.
How fast can this happen? I don't want to wait.
Biblically, same-day is normal (Acts 2:41, Acts 8:36-38, Acts 16:33). If you believe Jesus is the Son of God and you're ready to repent and be baptized, text us at (909) 375-3787 — that's a local Inland Empire number and a real person.
Do I need to take a class first?
No class appears anywhere in the New Testament. The Ethiopian in Acts 8 heard about Jesus on a road trip and was baptized at the first water they passed. Learning comes after, alongside people — that's what the studies are for.
Does it cost anything?
Nothing, and be wary of anyone in any city who says otherwise. Salvation was paid for already. We don't collect money for baptisms, studies, or anything else.
Connect with people in Riverside
Whether you're curious about Jesus or you've followed Him for years, tell us where you're at and what you're interested in. A real person reads every one of these and helps you take a next step — learning, serving, or finding others near you. No spam, and nobody will ever ask you for money.