This book brings together work by J. Ramsey Michaels, Joel Green, Howard Marshall, Bruce Chilton, Craig Evans and the editors, as well as several others. The first section covers baptism in the New Testament, including the meaning of the word "baptize," the baptism of John, Paul's own baptism and his theology of it, and baptisms in John 13, Acts and Hebrews. The second section deals with baptism in the Early Church, including essays on Jesus' blessing of the children, and baptism in the Epistle of Barnabas and in Gregory of Nyssa. The third section addresses baptism in contemporary theology, embracing ecumenical perspectives, baptism as a trinitarian event, and baptism as memorial, as miracle and as falling into and out of power. This wide-ranging volume forms a sequel to Baptism, the New Testament and the Church (JSNT Supplements 171) and makes indispensable reading for all concerned with this topic.

This book brings together work by J. Ramsey Michaels, Joel Green, Howard Marshall, Bruce Chilton, Craig Evans and the editors, as well as several others. The first section covers baptism in the New Testament, including the meaning of the word "baptize," the baptism of John, Paul's own baptism and his theology of it, and baptisms in John 13, Acts and Hebrews. The second section deals with baptism in the Early Church, including essays on Jesus' blessing of the children, and baptism in the Epistle of Barnabas and in Gregory of Nyssa. The third section addresses baptism in contemporary theology, embracing ecumenical perspectives, baptism as a trinitarian event, and baptism as memorial, as miracle and as falling into and out of power. This wide-ranging volume forms a sequel to Baptism, the New Testament and the Church (JSNT Supplements 171) and makes indispensable reading for all concerned with this topic.

What can we learn from early Christian imagery about the theological meaning of baptism? Robin Jensen, a leading scholar of early Christian art and worship, examines multiple dimensions of the early Christian baptismal rite. She explores five models for understanding baptism--as cleansing from sin, sickness, and Satan; as incorporation into the community; as sanctifying and illuminative; as death and regeneration; and as the beginning of the new creation--showing how visual images, poetic language, architectural space, and symbolic actions signify and convey the theological meaning of this ritual practice. Considering image and action together, Jensen offers a holistic and integrated understanding of the power of baptism. The book is illustrated with photos.

In Baptism: Three Views, editor David F. Wright has provided a forum for thoughtful proponents of three principal evangelical views on baptism to state their case, respond to the others, and then provide a summary response and statement. Sinclair Ferguson sets out the case for infant baptism, Bruce Ware presents the case for believers' baptism, and Anthony Lane argues for a mixed practice.

God has instituted specific rites (actions done with created things) linked with specific words whereby he attests what the specific acts symbolize and so confirms promises to, and furthers fellowship with, the recipients of his saving and enriching mercy. Mainstream Christianity views created entities as symbols reflecting God and imparting a sense of the divine drawing mind and heart Godward. Holy Baptism as a rite of admission to church communion is integral to Anglicanism, each version of the Book of Common Prayer having contained a baptismal liturgy commonly used despite rival schools of thought about particular phrases. These tensions remaining with us today, Dr. Packer's essay attempts to clear the ground for an acceptable baptismal liturgy for use in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), hopefully with theological agreement on all key points. This essay also addresses the Anglican practice of Infant Baptism as appropriate, fitting the situation, and honoring to God.

Baptism, a Model for Christian Life. Explores the significance of baptism in day-to-day living and provides a model for living a Christian life. Each chapter focuses on one historical-biblical dimension of baptism.

Perspectives on Spirit Baptism presents in counterpoint form the basic common beliefs on spirit baptism which have developed over the course of church history with a view toward determining which is most faithful to Scripture. Each chapter will be written by a prominent person from within each tradition—with specific guidelines dealing with the biblical, historical, and theological issues within each tradition. In addition, each writer will have the opportunity to give a brief response to the other traditions.

In From the Beginning to Baptism, Linda Gibler takes readers on a journey—from the depths of space and the beginning of time through sacred Scripture and church history— to discover the origins and creative power of water, oil, and fire. She traces the lives of those elemental entities through their cosmic history, to the point at which they are poured over the head and light the way of one being baptized. These elemental sources of all life are the substances through which new life in Christ begins in the sacrament of baptism. The journey through space and time, through the birth of the Universe and of life, and Gibler's reflections on this drama, help readers to enter into the "cosmocentric spirituality" at the heart of all things. No one who reads this book will ever again look at a drop of water, an olive, or a candle with the same eyes. Linda Gibler, PhD, a Houston Dominican Sister, is currently associate academic dean at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. She has several years’ experience as a parish minister and is the science editor and a contributing author for the Collins Foundation Press, which hosts conferences on the significance of recent scientific revelations for faith, meaning, and the well-being of Earth and all her species.

Gain an understanding of baptism from four main traditional perspectives. Of all the sacraments, the practice of baptism is often the most disputed. Christians hold different views of its exact significance, who should receive baptism and how old they need to be, the practice of rebaptism, and baptism as a requirement for church membership. In Understanding Four Views on Baptism, four historic views on baptism are considered in depth: Baptist view: baptism of the professing regenerate by immersion (presented by Thomas J. Nettles) Reformed view: infant baptism of children of the covenant (presented by Richard Pratt Jr.) Lutheran view: infant baptism by sprinkling as a regenerative act (presented by Robert Kolb) Church of Christ view: believers' baptism on the occasion of regeneration by immersion (presented by John Castelein) Each view is presented by its proponent, then critiqued and defended in dialogue with the book's other contributors. Here is an ideal setting in which you can consider the strengths and weaknesses of each stance and arrive at your own informed conclusion. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

An illustrated activity book for 8-11 year olds. Water connects all physical and spiritual life. Besides being essential for life, water is the visible sign of Baptism, which calls us to serve others in the world. Having clean water for all God’s children is an act of justice, love, respect and a core value of what it means to be a Christian. This illustrated workbook taps into multiple learning levels and offers a variety of ways for children to interact with this core value of our faith, making a direct connection for young people between their faith and daily life. It can be used in an educational or devotional setting at home, church, or school. Activities also connect clean water and the Millennium Development Goals.