Baptism In The Early Church

Source: The Complete Library of Christian Worship, Robert E. Webber, General Editor

From the very beginning of the Christian church, baptism was the path for entering the church, whether as adults, children, or infants. Although the precise origins of baptismal rituals are not entirely clear, the entire process involved extensive ritual action: from the catechumenate (the period of preparation) to the actual baptism with water and anointing with the oil of chrism during the great Easter Vigil service.

A proper understanding of baptism in the ancient church requires a broad...

 

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