Troubled Waters

Introduction

1 Getting Our Feet Wet

The antecedents of Christian baptism outside the New Testament

2 John’s Baptism--Totally Immersed in His Work

Pre-Christian initiations in the New Testament and pre-sacramental texts

3 Parting the Waters

The beginnings of water baptism as a Christian rite--Acts

4 Trial by Water Ordeal

Paul and burial with Christ

5 Breaking the Waters of Birth

Water baptism in the Johannine literature?

6 Down in the Flood

Baptism in Hebrews and I Peter

7 A Rite of Passage

A theology of water baptism in the New Testament

8 Postscript--Coming Up for Air

Where do we go from here?