Conversion and

Baptism

1. Baptism in the NT.2. The earliest known house church (Dura Europos)3. Catechumenate and baptism in early third century Rome

(Apostolic Tradition).

Baptism in the NT

• Baptism of John• Baptism of Jesus• Apostle Philip

baptizes Ethiopian eunuch

Philip preaching to eunuch. Decani monastery. Serbia.

The Earliest Surviving Christian Church. Dura Europos, East Syria, 231/5 A.D.

First baptismal font: bathtub remodeled (Dura Europos)

Baptism as burial with Christ

Cruciform baptism

Neoniano baptistery. Ravenna, early 5th c.

Map 2nd c.

Seminar. Hippolytus of Rome

• 150 (?)-236(?) AD• Author of The Apostolic

Tradition• Rigorist• Anti-pope, reunited with the

Roman church before his death

Hippolytus’ statue (may be)

Baptism of Jesus

Roman general with a tattoo on his forehead

• Compare the sign of the cross made on the initiate’s forehead in baptism.

Puzzling images (Dura Europos)