Become a Christian · San Antonio, TX
How to become a Christian in San Antonio: 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 San Antonio 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). This is a settled conviction about who Jesus is, not a vague spiritual feeling.
Repent
Turn around. Repentance means changing direction, away from your old life and toward God. It is deeper than feeling bad about yourself, and you can make that decision anywhere in San Antonio.
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, with no waiting period or 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 San Antonio
Faith here is older than Texas
In 1731 about 55 settlers from the Canary Islands arrived at the presidio of San Antonio, sent by the Spanish Crown. They laid the cornerstone of their parish church on 11 May 1738, and the building was dedicated in 1755. In 1836 Santa Anna flew his flag of no quarter from its tower during the siege of the Alamo. The church became San Fernando Cathedral in 1874 and is one of the oldest active cathedrals in the country.
South of downtown, four Spanish colonial missions still stand: Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada. Together with the Alamo they make up the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. The four are still active Catholic parishes. The National Park Service keeps the grounds open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there is no entrance fee. The Mission Reach trail links all four to downtown, so you can walk or ride a bike between them. Rangers lead talks at Mission San José at 10 and 11 each morning.
The missions and the cathedral are Catholic parishes with their own clergy, and we do not represent them. If you visit during Mass, sit toward the back and stay quiet. Weigh what you hear by Scripture (Acts 17:11).
Updated 28 September 2026. Links go to the sources we used. Schedules move, so phone before you send someone. Corrections welcome.
If your table mixes grandparents and teenagers, or Spanish and English, that is a good place to start reading Scripture together. Let the grandmother read in Spanish and the teenager in English. Go slowly enough that nobody gets lost, and eat first.
When someone needs lunch, a bed or a meeting
Haven for Hope is a campus for people without housing at 1 Haven for Hope Way, 78207. Its South Campus, entered from 1300 W. Martin Street, is a low-barrier shelter for adults with indoor sleeping, three meals a day, showers and medical care. After hours, emergency screening happens at the South Gate off Martin Street. Faith Kitchen cooks for the South Campus, and the San Antonio Food Bank cooks for the North Campus. Volunteers pass an $8.50 background check, and anyone under 18 serves with an adult.
Downtown, Christian Assistance Ministry at 110 McCullough Avenue hands out sack lunches to homeless neighbors Monday through Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. It also offers showers, hygiene kits and help replacing an ID or birth certificate. If you have housing and need groceries, CAM asks you to come after 10 a.m., once the lunch line is done.
For drinking, the San Antonio Central Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous answers (210) 828-6235 at any hour. It also lists a Spanish line, (210) 409-8524, and a meeting finder.
Where to meet
San Antonio Public Library rooms are rented. The rental policy requires a current library card, and fees follow a separate schedule. A home is usually simpler and lets you eat together. For a bilingual group near the West Side, the renovated Las Palmas branch lists a community room and bilingual staff. The San Antonio Bible study page compares other branches.
People in San Antonio bring questions shaped by West Side, Southtown, new arrivals, old wounds, work, family, and the cost of staying. You may be curious about Jesus and unsure where to begin. Start with His own words. Read Matthew 5 slowly, then keep going through the Gospel. Our guide to who Jesus is can help with the big questions, why follow Jesus addresses His invitation and its cost, and GotLuv.org lets you read, watch, or listen to Matthew free.
If you are comparing Jesus with other teachers, begin with what He claimed, how He treated people, His death, and the evidence that He rose. This comparison guide keeps those questions together without insulting anyone else's beliefs.
We answer from the words of Jesus and the apostles. Where Scripture does not settle a detail, we will say so. San Antonio is a new growth area for local connections, so we will not claim there is a group waiting around the corner. We can begin with a small online group Bible study or conversation, then introduce nearby followers of Jesus as more people in the area reach out.
Where to get baptized in San Antonio
In San Antonio, the simplest baptism is often a permitted private pool or a suitable tub. Public facilities have their own schedules, fees, supervision, and group-use rules, so call first and receive clear approval. Do not improvise in fountains, restricted water, shipping channels, or unsafe current.
A private or apartment pool
San Antonio area
Get clear owner or management permission. Follow guest, occupancy, access, and safety rules.
San Antonio Parks public pools
San Antonio
Contact the specific facility first. Ask for explicit permission, an available time, admission or rental cost, supervision, and group rules.
A suitable bathtub
At home
A tub can allow careful full immersion year-round. Plan nonslip footing, safe entry and exit, and enough assistance.
A permitted private indoor pool
San Antonio metro
Arrange access directly with the operator and confirm that baptism is allowed. Never assume open-swim admission includes group ceremonies.
No one in San Antonio to baptize you? Tell us with the form below or text (909) 375-3787. We will personally help you arrange it. That's a promise, not a marketing line.
Becoming a Christian: honest questions
How do I become a Christian?
Believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; repent; be baptized for forgiveness; and receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:36-38).
Does a sinner's prayer save me?
No. Jesus never gave a conversion prayer. Peter told hearers to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).
Where can I be baptized in San Antonio?
Use a permitted private pool, an approved aquatic facility, or a suitable tub. Confirm facility rules before arriving.
Who may baptize me?
Any follower of Jesus can baptize. Clergy, a stage, payment, and a church building are unnecessary.
Connect with people in San Antonio
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.