This study consists of a simple collection of Scripture verses, brief comments and a few questions.  Do not be dismayed by the lack of theological words or of sophisticated and complicated philosophical arguments. The goal of this little study is to have you look at what the Scripture actually says, rather than at what you think it says, or wish it said, or have been taught that it says.  It is constructed upon the theory that the truth of the Bible is open to all who seek it and that the word of God is not beyond the understanding of those to whom it was written.  You may find that some of the questions accompanying the text seem too simple or merely ask you to restate the verse. It’s okay – we often want to make the Word more difficult than it is.

You may experience some frustration in this study because it does not seek to answer some of the “why?” questions. The purpose of this exercise is merely to discover the teaching and practice of the apostles and the early church with regard to baptism. A right understanding of baptism is neither the beginning nor the end of our understanding of God’s plan to bring us to salvation. Such an understanding involves a lifetime of prayer and study. It takes us deep into grace and faith; into the meaning of sacrifice, the power of redemption and the fellowship of suffering. A grasp of “baptism” was considered “milk” for first century Christians, but we need milk before we get our teeth into the “meat.”

Of course, all of the verses in these studies are snatched from context.  They are printed for your convenience, but you should conduct this study with your Bible open and, in every case, establish the context and be confident of your understanding of the passage.

Before we begin, take note of some of the dangers of a topical study like this – A Word of Warning