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The Importance of Water: Baptism. As Life-force, As Spiritual-force, As God Given-gift. The Didache was written around A.D. 70 .
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The Importance of Water: Baptism As Life-force, As Spiritual-force, As God Given-gift
The Didache was written around A.D. 70 “Now about baptism, baptize this way: after first uttering all of these things, baptize "into the name of the Father and of the son and of the holy Spirit" in running water. But if you do not have running water, baptize in other water. Now if you are not able to do so in cold water, do it in warm water. Now if you don't have either, pour water three times on the head, "into the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the holy Spirit." Now before the ritual cleansing, the baptizer and the one being baptized should fast, and any others who are able. Now you will give word for the one who is being baptized to fast for one or two days beforehand.”
(The Apostolic Tradition, 21 [A.D. 215]). • Yet another historical source that talked about baptism. • Years of preparation • Adult Baptism • Faith proclamation, Trinitarian Formula • Living/Running Water • Separated the sexes • Baptized among peers naked • Dressed in white cloth signifying purity and light of Christ.
Pope Cornelius I wrote that as Novatian was about to die, "he received baptism in the bed where he lay, by pouring" (Letter to Fabius of Antioch [A.D. 251]; cited in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6:4311).
On Baptism, 2 [A.D. 203]) Tertullian immersion not only valid form. * Tertullian wrote that there were different practices of baptism in different churches. * Some practiced Infusion: Sprinkling or pouring water. * Some practiced Immersion: Dunking in a bath or in body of water. * Point: There are multiple practices and neither should be seen as invalid simply because it is different. Proved his case by citing multiple examples of Scripture (Bible).
In the Bible • Jesus is Baptized by John • Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-33 • To fulfill Old Testament prophecy, to fulfill righteousness (meaning continually fulfilling God’s plan/life of purity) We are to baptize others who find faith in Christ Matthew 28:19-20 (baptize all nations in Name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) Acts 2:38 (baptize in Jesus Christ name, forgive sins, receive Holy Spirit) Effects of Baptism 2 Corinthians 5:17 (In Christ, new creation, old things pass away) Romans 6:3-4 (We are buried in him)
Tile mosaics in ancient churches and paintings in the catacombs depict baptism by pouring. Baptisteries in early cemeteries are clear witnesses to baptisms by infusion.
The Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Detail of dome mosaic in the Battistero Neoniano (Orthodox Baptistery) in Ravenna, dating from 451-75.
Immersion There are also many examples of baptism by immersion. * Covering or dunking the whole person in a source of water. * Some believe it can be done in a “pool” of water, while others believe that it needs to be done in “living water” like a river/stream.
The dilemma, which is right? • So many people in the past and present have fought to protect their particular view and practice of baptism, citing the Bible to defend their point of view against others. • Still, the church in its entire history has provided justification for either or, because the point is not necessarily how its done, but rather, following Christ’s Command to do it.
Fr. Matthew On Baptism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLBRujWQc6c
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:13-14)
The Episcopal Church • Early church, not always ready source of running water (Infusion) • Plague, many children died, fear of child going to hell. (Infant Baptism) • Father, Son, and Holy Spirit verses in name of Jesus, because Jesus gives us the F, S, HS, model, where as his disciple gives the latter. (One Formula over another)
