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This illustration shows the baptismal font at Keysoe, c. 1200.

Baptismal Font at Keysoe

This illustration shows the baptismal font at Keysoe, c. 1200.

This illustration shows the baptismal font at Smithfield, London, England.

Baptismal Font at Smithfield

This illustration shows the baptismal font at Smithfield, London, England.

This illustration shows the baptismal font at Wistanstow in England.

Baptismal Font at Wistanstow

This illustration shows the baptismal font at Wistanstow in England.

"And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given; and he sent and beheaded John in the prison." Matthew 14:8-10 ASV <p>Illustration of John the Baptist, having just been unshackled, kneeling in prayer while a soldier waits to behead him with an axe. . A shaft of light beams down on John. Salome can be seen just outside the archway with a platter in her hands.

John the Baptist Prays in Prison Just Before His Beheading

"And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.…

Illustration of Saint Boniface, Apostle of Germany, blesses and converts several people in Germania.Men and women kneel in front of the saint. Several of the men are wearing horned helmets. Two clergy follow behind Saint Boniface, carrying the crucifix.

Saint Boniface Converts Many in Germania

Illustration of Saint Boniface, Apostle of Germany, blesses and converts several people in Germania.Men…

"A Font is the vessel which contains the water for the purpose of baptism. Fonts were required to be covered and locked; originally their covers were simply flat, movable lids, but they were subsequently very highly ornamented."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Baptismal Font

"A Font is the vessel which contains the water for the purpose of baptism. Fonts were required to be…

The baptismal font is used to baptize children an adults. It is a type of church furniture in a circular shape with a pedestal base.

Baptismal Font

The baptismal font is used to baptize children an adults. It is a type of church furniture in a circular…

"And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:1-2 ASV <p>Illustration of John the Baptist, sitting on a rock under a tree, left hand raised and right hand holding a staff. He is preaching to the multitudes. Men, women, and children sit and stand around him. The Sadducees and Pharisees, identifiable by their robes, can be seen in the background (left).

John the Baptist Preaches in the Wilderness

"And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying, Repent ye;…

"Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:14-17 ASV <p>Illustration of the apostles, Peter and John, laying their hands on the heads of three converts who are receiving the Holy Spirit. Peter has a full beard and John is bare-faced and young. A glowing dove descends from the air in between the two disciples' heads. A wine goblet sits on a table in the background. There is an arched doorway (right).

Peter and John Lay Their Hands on Baptized Converts

"Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they…

"And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him." Acts 8:36-38 ASV <p>Illustration of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch standing by a body of water. Philip is gesturing towards the heavens and the eunuch's hands are clasped in a gesture of worship. The eunuch's chariot and caravan can be seen in the background. A grove of trees stands behind the two men.

Philip Prepares to Baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch

"And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is…