Includes bibliographical references (pages 169-170).

"Scripture is far from silent on the subject of baptism, yet history is strewn with such a variety of perspectives that it becomes difficult to gain a clear view of what the Bible itself actually has to say: How would the original readers of Acts, Romans, or Colossians have understood the texts concerning baptism when they read them for the very first time? How do readers of today understand the baptismal references of the New Testament if they have no particular commitment to a certain theological point of view? In thirteen chapters, Dr. Cottrell discusses the twelve major texts in the New Testament and does so by examining the meaning of the original words, the historical background, and the comparative references. The texts covered: Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38-39, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27, Ephesians 5:25-27, Colossians 2:11-13, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 3:21"--P. [4] of cover.