Gordon Lathrop, Holy Things, VI

Continuing in chapter 3, the juxtaposition between teaching and bath, while it can involve much variation it its details, cannot be allowed to become a reason for division. The variants should be seen as variations on the basic theme of teaching and bath. The various ritual bits which surround the baptism should. Seen as explanatory rites (a term Lathrop does not use here for some reason, although his discussion makes it clear that he thinks of them in a similar light), they should point to the central juxtaposition, not to  themselves, and certainly not to be causes of arguments and divisions.