In a world of traditions and assumptions, everyone's got something to say about something. But when it comes to the original purpose and practice of baptism in the early Christian Church, we find it has been distorted and corrupted over the last two thousand years, so much so that many modern-day believers don't know what to believe about it. Different churches have different doctrines, and many find it impossible to see the purpose and value of baptism. Is it necessary? Is it important? And if you're saved by faith, why should you get baptized?

The question of salvation lies at the heart of this mystery. And while many may assert that there is no mystery-working to convince their listeners and readers through the use of clear "evidence" to support their conclusions-we must wonder: if there was only one conclusion to reach, why is not all of Christianity in agreement?

Instead of clinging to the trappings of tradition and the pushing of a theological position, Testing the Waters leads readers through the Old and New Testament texts to see what the Bible really says about baptism. Author of The First Communion: The Making of the Last Supper, Crain invites us on another journey through the pages of Scripture to help us discover the truth for ourselves and reach our own conclusions.