Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-146) and index.

Getting our feet wet: the antecedents of Christian baptism outside the New Testament -- John's baptism-totally immersed in his work: pre-Christian initiations in the New Testament and pre-sacramental texts -- Parting the waters: the beginnings of water baptism as a Christian rite: the Acts of the Apostles -- Trial by water ordeal: Paul and burial with Christ -- Breaking the waters of birth: water baptism in the Johannine literature? -- Down in the flood: baptism in Hebrews and 1 Peter -- A rite of passage: a theology of water baptism in the New Testament -- Postscript: Coming up for air: where do we go from here?

Electronic reproduction. Palo Alto, Calif. : ebrary, 2009. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ebrary affiliated libraries.