The doctrine of Baptism or the sacrament or rite of Baptism, in which the Spiritual Baptists believe and administer, is the full immersion of a person. It is the entrance into the Kingdom of God. It is the transforming of those who were born of sinful flesh, into children of God, in accordance with the scriptures, (St. Matthew 3, St Matthew 28:19. St. Mark 16:16, St. John 3:3-6, Acts 8:36-39. Acts 9:17-18, and Acts 10:44-48).

Man must be baptised in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, for the remission of sins. Baptism is a death to sin and life to righteousness. The three steps man must take are: 1. Repent of his sins, 2.Believe in the Son of God, 3. Be baptised. Baptism symbolises the death of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, his burial, and resurrection.

This faith upholds Baptism, just as Jesus Christ, when He went to John The Baptist at the river of Jordan and was baptised by John. Likewise all men must do the same. He that believe and is baptised shall be saved, but he that believe not shall be damned.

The spiritual Baptists’ preparation of Baptism, is unique to those practised by others. Firstly one must sit on the ‘Mercy Seat’. This is a specific pew, or seat for persons who have accepted the Lord, and desires to be baptised into the faith. The Mercy Seat is found in Exodus 25:17, Exodus 26:34, Exodus 37:6, 1^st Chronicles 28:11 and Hebrews 9:5. (The cherubims of glory shadowing the Mercy Seat. During the period of time that one remains upon the Mercy Seat, one is cared for and instructed by the guardians or Nurses.

When the time comes for Baptism a tarrying service for the candidate is held. Tarrying service usually lasts all night and into early morning. Tarrying is a ritual to prepare the candidate for baptism; This is where more spiritual instruction is passed to the individual(s).

All Candidates faces, hands and feet are washed, just as Jesus himself has done when he instructed his disciples that they should follow his example. This is revealed in St. John 12:4-17.

After the "washing" of the candidates, they are then anointed with holy oil like Jesus Christ who was anointed by Mary for his death, burial and resurrection, St John 12:3-8.

Bands are placed on the eyes of each candidate to symbolise the embalmed body of Jesus Christ wrapped in bands with spices and herbs at his death.

A procession of the members and candidates is enrouted to the beach for baptism. At the seaside the waters are "troubled", meaning the water is sanctified and blessed, thereby transforming it into ‘Jordan River". This ceremony is officiated by the ministers, but actual baptising of the candidates is done by His Grace. All sins are washed away, and the person is made a new creature in Christ.

On return to the temple a charge is laid on the newly baptised. They in return vow to carry out and keep this charge, that is, to abide and keep the holy ten (10) commandments. Again they are anointed and blessed and spiritual virtues are conferred upon them.

A Bible proof is taken of each candidate. That is the Holy Bible placed to the heart of each individual. The bible is then opened by the candidate and where the fingers rest on the Scriptures are quoted and recorded.

As recorded in Luke 4:17-21 Jesus Christ also received the Holy Scriptures, and when he had taken and opened the book of the prophet Esias, he found the place where it is written. ‘The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captive, and recovering the sight to the blind, to set at Liberty them that are bruised to preach the acceptable year of the Lord’. By this example Jesus took also a Bible proof, as was the custom.

Finally the newly baptised makes a testimony to the congregation of their experiences before and leading to their baptism.

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