Baptism and the Process of Christian Initiation Reconsidered

Abstract In ecumenical conversations between 2000 and 2010, representatives of the Baptist churches proposed that baptism should be understood as one element – though essential – in a longer process of Christian initiation. The paper recalls the reason for this proposal and then revisits it by considering its relevance to two recent issues: the rite of renewal of baptismal vows through immersion in water in Anglican churches and the “synodal pathway” in the Catholic Church.