That’s a good question. The word baptize means “to wash.” Peter, however, tells us that baptism isn’t the washing of dirt from the body, but rather a cleansing of the conscience (1 Peter 3:21).

Along with yesterday’s feast of the Epiphany and the wedding at Cana, today’s feast, the Baptism of the Lord, is one of the three epiphanies of Jesus’ humanity, according to the early Church Fathers.

The Bible repeatedly and undeniably connects baptism to redemption and salvation. It also closely identifies baptism and justification. Recently, I realized this all the more, in answering a ...

The baptism of Jesus Christ was obviously not necessary to cleanse him of sins, but it was needed to set an example for Christians and begin Jesus’ ministry. The Revs. Ben Ford and Kathryn Almendarez ...

and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.” I won’t embarrass the priest who underlined this point to great effect during ...

Remember the day of your baptism? It's highly unlikely, but your parents and godparents and an assortment of relatives probably do. Perhaps they remember the event itself, or the party, or something ...

The Baptism of the Lord Jesus teaches us something about the theology of geography. There are many places where water for baptism could be found in the land of Israel. Why was Jesus baptized by John ...

National Correspondent, "CBS News Sunday Morning" Lee Cowan is an Emmy-award-winning journalist serving as a national correspondent and substitute anchor for "CBS News Sunday Morning." The narrow ...