HISTORY
Task Force: Baptism in Paul's Letters

 TASK FORCE 

2025

• Gregory Tatum, OP, Western Dominican Province
  "Justification and Baptism"
  Baptism in Paul's Letters is a one-off event initiates the process of salvation by conforming/uniting those called to the Messiah and his body. Justification is one of the word-pictures for the process of salvation (cf.. sanctification, glorification). Will look at Gal 2:15-21; Rom 2:12-16; 6:1-11; 8:28-30; 2 Cor 3:17-18; 1Cor 1:29-31.

• Ronald D. Witherup, PSS, St. Mary's Seminary & University
  “Baptismal Identity in Galatians as a Key to the Galatian Controversy”
  Virtually all commentators on Paul’s letter to the Galatians acknowledge the importance of Gal 3:26-28 as a major passage on Paul’s understanding of baptism and the only explicit reference to baptism in that letter. What is overlooked, however, is that Galatians contains other allusions to baptism that indicate the topic is much more important to the entire Galatian controversy than is usually accepted. This paper attempts to demonstrate that Paul’s baptismal theology is in fact crucial to the entire Galatian controversy and indeed provides an essential key to understanding the letter’s profound message.

• Rev. Najeeb Haddad, Orthodox Christian Mission Center
  "Clothed in Christ, Freed in Christ: The Baptismal Recasting of Onesimus"
  By situating Paul’s appeal (Phlm 8-21) within the theological framework of baptismal transformation (e.g. Gal 3:27–28; 2 Cor 5:17), the study examines how Onesimus’s identity as a slave is redefined in light of his new life in Christ. The analysis demonstrates that Paul’s rhetoric implies a radical reconfiguration of social hierarchies grounded in the new creation. This case reveals how baptism challenged prevailing norms and offered a theological vision for human dignity within the early Christian household.

2024

• Isaac Morales, O.P., Providence College
  "Baptism and Union in Christ." 
• Discussion of current trends in research of Baptism in Paul's Letters and possible topics for chapters in book collection. 
• Business meeting: Attendees will discuss plans for next year and the task force as a whole.