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)