"Rees Bryant places a wholesome emphasis on the place of baptism, in conversion and urges that penitent believers be baptized without delaying; for additional programs of instruction. . . . his case for the essentiality of baptism is unanswerable. Many counter arguments are kindly refuted. In our time when baptismal teaching is being neglected, Bryant's study places a wholesome emphasis."
Jack P. Lewis, PhD
Harding Graduate School of Religion

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	FOREWORDS	11
	PREFACE	17
	CHAPTER I
	INTRODUCTION	19
	What Is the Role of Baptism?	19
	Methodology	24
	Notes	32
	PART ONE: BACKGROUND STUDIES
	CHAPTER II
	CONVERSION	37
	Light from the Old Testament	38
	The New Testament Unfolding of             Conversion Concepts	47
	CHAPTER III
	BAPTISM	63
	Antecedents of Christian Baptism	63
	Christian Baptism: Symbol or Sacrament?	77
	Christian Baptism as Ritual Symbolism	82
	Christian Baptism as Sacrament	87
	Notes	103
	PART TWO: PAULINE PERSPECTIVES OF BAPTISM
	CHAPTER IV
	THE ROLE OF BAPTISM IN THE     CONVERSION OF PAUL	111
	Paul's Conversion.	111
	An Analysis of the Role of Baptism in
	Paul's Conversion	120
	Notes	130
	CHAPTER V
	THE ROLE OF BAPTISM IN     PAULINE THEOLOGY	133
	United with Christ	134
	Reclothed with Christ	145
	Buried and Raised with Christ	154
	Notes	161
	CHAPTER VI
	THE ROLE OF BAPTISM IN PAUL'S     MISSIONARY MINISTRY	163
	Lydia and Her Household	165
	The Philippian Jailer and His Family	167
	Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens	175
	The Corinthians: Baptism Minimized?	176
	The Disciples at Ephesus	180
	Notes	182
	CHAPTER VII
	MISSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS AND     PRACTICAL PROPOSALS	183
	Questions and Issues	183
	Conclusions	184
	Proposals	187
	REFERENCES CITED	201
	INDEX OF BIBLE REFERENCES	213
	INDEX	219