A Religionsgeschichtliche and Exegetical Study of Baptism in the Epistle to the Ephesians

Abstract

This thesis is primarily a study of the doctrine and role of baptism in the Epistle to the Ephesians. The central argument is that the Epistle is a treatise on the unity between Jew and Gentile in the Church and that the author utilizes the language and teaching of baptism to develop this theme. Careful attention, therefore, is given to an exegesis of the text in order to determine how the teaching of baptism contributes toward this purpose. Consideration is also given to the catechetical, liturgical, ethical and eschatological aspects of baptism as they emerge in the Epistle. Jewish and Hellenistic rites are examined within the context of their possible influence upon the teaching of baptism in Ephesians.