Though there may be some variations, here is the basic schedule of a baptism service at Bethlehem:
- The pastor will meet with baptism candidates 30–45 minutes before the service starts. Candidates will change into a baptism robe (provided).
- At the beginning of the baptism service, the pastor will say a devotional word about baptism.
- The pastor will ask the candidates to join him at the front to share their names, their testimonies, and why they want to be baptized. (Many services use a pre-recorded testimony video in the baptism service.)
- The candidates will join the pastor one at a time in the water.
- The pastor will ask the following questions of each candidate:
- Are you now trusting in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins and the fulfillment of all God's promises to you, even eternal life?
- Do you forsake Satan and all his works and all his ways?
- Do you intend with God’s help to obey Jesus’ teaching and follow him as your Lord?
- The pastor will then immerse the candidate after saying, “On the profession of your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and in obedience to his command, I now baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
- After everyone has been baptized, the pastor generally will invite people to come forward to pray for those just baptized.
- The pastor closes with prayer.