[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




The word, which results in belief, comes first and then after belief baptism is administered, the result of which is salvation and renewal of life. Although salvation and renewal of life are received through baptism, yet the word should come first because it leads to faith and faith leads to baptism. That is why the Apostle says: "...He brought us forth by the word of truth" and "...having been born again through the word of God", on the assumption that the 'word' is the origin that led to all these.