Baptism is a foundational teaching within the church of God, serving as a physical ceremony with profound spiritual lessons and effects. It demonstrates to God our sincere decision to live His way of life and shows our belief in and acceptance of His Son's work on our behalf. Through baptism, God purges us of sin and grants us the power by His Spirit to live righteously before Him, acting as a springboard for His children to strive toward perfection. Before one is baptized, certain conditions must be met. Repentance and belief in the gospel of the Kingdom of God are essential prerequisites. Those seeking baptism must show their belief and be ready to repent of their sins and human nature, though they need not be Bible scholars or living perfectly, as growth in grace and knowledge comes after baptism. The timing of baptism is also significant. A candidate must be mature enough to discern the terms of God's offer for salvation, to understand what God desires, to repent, and to believe the gospel. A new believer should be baptized as soon as possible after reaching this point in their calling, and only adults who have met these qualifications should be baptized, ruling out children and the dead.

Baptism is a vital condition in the journey of salvation, symbolizing a profound commitment to God's way. Preparation for baptism begins with repentance and faith, as Jesus Christ declared at the start of His Gospel, commanding these two prerequisites for becoming a Christian. Repentance, directed toward God, involves a deep, genuine change to cease sinning and to live according to God's Commandments, which reflect His will and government. Faith, directed toward Christ, underpins the belief in His death, burial, and resurrection, which baptism symbolizes. Before baptism, God requires true repentance, not merely sorrow over sin, but a transformation evidenced by fruits of change and overcoming. Bearing fruit, as an indication of repentance, is foundational and must be built upon with love and other attributes. Baptism pictures the realization of personal sinfulness and the plea for God's forgiveness, marking the crucifixion of the old self and the emergence into a new, righteous life in Christ Jesus. The ordinance of baptism is not to be delayed unnecessarily, as it is a commanded step toward receiving the Holy Spirit, which renews the mind and reveals spiritual truth. A person must understand the commitment involved, including the need to repent, have faith, count the cost, and pledge total dedication to God's way. While spiritual understanding deepens after receiving the Holy Spirit, the initial steps of repentance and faith must precede baptism, ensuring the individual is prepared to enter into an irrevocable covenant with God, promising total commitment in exchange for forgiveness and the gift of His Spirit.