here is controversial. Many think this refers to baptism.1 Unfortunately, this is reading patristic and modern liturgy into the first century, and, moreover, there is nothing in the present context or in Titus 3:5 to indicate that this has reference to a baptismal rite. Furthermore, the rite of baptism does not cleanse one from sin. Even in the Qumran community the ritual washing was not considered as that which cleansed them (1QS 3.4–5, 8–10).2 Rather, it was God who wiped out their transgressions