Paper Summary:

This paper explains that baptism is a sacrament that has proved divisive throughout history as seen not only in differences between Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestants, but also within denominations. The author points out that one thing that is agreed upon is the importance of the sacrament of baptism for the church, for the individual, and its importance in the Early New Testament Church. The paper explores the New Testament and other early sources to answer present day questions about baptism. The author presents the commonalities and diversities in these sources as well as his own personal view of the Sacrament of Baptism.

From the Paper:

"Many other Early Church Fathers wrote to give us understanding of the importance of this rite, such as Cyprian of Carthage, Hilary of Piotiers, Gregory of Nazianzus, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ambrose of Milan, John Chrysostom of Constantinople, and Augistine of Hippo. These writers emphasized the importance of the Trinity in baptism, the importance of the rite itself, gave further instruction on procedure, defined baptism as a rite of initiation in the church body, as a need for remission of sins or regeneration (Acts 2:38), and as a commitment to Christ and the Church."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bovon, Francois, "Baptism in the Ancient Church," Sewanee Theological Review, 42:4 (1999): 429
• Ferguson, Everett, ed. Conversion, Catechumenate, and Baptism in the Early Church, n.p., 1993
• Ferguson, Everett, "Preaching at Epiphany: Gregory of Nyssa and John Chrysostom on Baptism and the Church," Church History, 66:1, (March 1997)
• Francke, Eric, ed., Baptism, www.Earlychurch.net
• Kasten, Dennis, "Infant Baptism in Early Church History," Issues, Etc. Journal, Volume 2, Number 3 (Spring 1997)

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