B. Baptism: its significance, efficacy, mode, and subjects

Note: This list is a work in progress, and may change at any time both in the selection of quotations and the content of the annotations. In the meantime, feel free to offer any suggestions.

BARNABAS

“This meaneth, that we indeed descend into the water full of sins and defilement, but come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear [of God] and trust in Jesus in our spirit. “And whosoever shall eat of these shall live for ever,” This meaneth: Whosoever, He declares, shall hear thee speaking, and believe, shall live for ever.” (Epistle of Barnabas, chap. 11)1

LACTANTIUS

“He was baptized by the prophet John in the river Jordan, that He might wash away in the spiritual laver not His own sins, for it is evident that He had none, but those of the flesh, which He bare; that as He saved the Jews by undergoing circumcision, so He might save the Gentiles also by baptism—that is, by the pouring forth of the purifying dew.” (Divine Institutes, Book Four, chap. 15)2

  1. Baptism is seen as a means of grace; but faith alone, which baptism tends to confirm and strengthen, gives eternal life.
  2. Interesting passage in which the efficacy of baptism to wash away sins is tied to Christ’s own actions in our place.

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