After Jesus returned to heaven, the apostles were waiting. The church was born at Pentecost (fifty days after Easter) when Peter preached and 3,000 people were baptized. Baptism has always been understood as the initiation rite for Christians. In the early church, baptism preparation took place over several years and entire families would be baptized at once. In the days before Constantine halted the persecution of Christians (313 AD), baptism put one's life in danger. Being baptized "into Christ's death and resurrection" had an urgency that we can only imagine.
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Discussion: Think about the many, many people who have been baptized since that first Pentecost. What do you think they said to others about it?
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This is an ancient baptism site near Bethany, on the Jordan River. The wooden structures are, of course, contemporary but the stone structures date from different periods in early Christian history. Imagine walking down those steps with your entire family! Click on the image to enlarge.