An Outline of Baptist History

-2- Holy Spirit in running water. But if thou hast not running water, baptize in other water; and if thou canst not in cold, then in warm. But if thou hast neither, pour water upon the head thrice, into the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer and the baptized fast, and whatsoever others can, but the baptized then shalt thou command to fast for two or three days before.'' Here we see the beginning of teaching pertaining to baptism which we do not find in the New Testament. There are certain things stated in this paragraph which the Bible certainly does not contain. . Justin Martyr who lived about 150 AD identified the sign "baptism" with the thing signified "regeneration '' He called baptism ''the waterbath of re- generation.'' Justin says, ''They are baptized, they are regenerated." "Regenerate" and ''baptize'"' are che rule in the writings of the Ante-Nicene church fathers. Consequences of Baptismal Regeneration. (a) Clinic baptism. This was practiced as a consequence of the above view of baptism. It was brought about to help those who supposedly were too sick to be baptized. A man by the name of Novatian was the first man of whom we have record of such practice being used. It was reported that he was dying so they brought water and poured over him and had "immer- sion'’ simulated as closely as possible. He recovered, however, entered the ministry, his baptism was disputed, and the question was submitted to Cyprian, Bishop of Africa in about 250 AD. He was asked, ''of those who obtained God's grace in sickness and weakness, whether they are to be accounted legitimate Christians, for that they are not to be washed but affused with the saving waters." Cyprian's conclusion was that the sprinkling of water (aspersio) prevails equally with the washing of sal- vation; and that when it is done in the church, when the faith of both the receiver and giver is sound, all things hold and may be consumated and perfected by the Majesty of the Lord, and by the truth of faith.'' Chris- tian, however, points out on page 38, "For the first 13 centuries immersion was the normal practice of the Christian world." At the Synod of Revenna in 13ll AD, it was stated "that baptism is to be adminisiered ... by triune aspersion or immersion." (b) Infant baptism, Ti logically followed if those unbaptized were unre generated that all whodied in infancy were unsaved. It was now too late to return to the New Testament pattern. Augustine who lived from 35 3- 430 was the first and ablest defender of the doctrine of infant baptism. By the time Tertullian (AD 150-220), the practice was general. This we know because he opposed it in 185 AD. The Council of Carthage was the first church council to favor it in 253 AD. After the 6th century, the practice was uni- versal among the degenerate churches. Infant baptism did more than any- thing else to prepare the way for the papacy. (c) The Catechumenate.''The tendency of such an institution was to foster the idea that men might be educated into Christianity, and to decrease the re- liance of the church upon the Holy Spirit in the conversion of men.'' Vedder, p. 30. This agency of instruction for converts which was essentially good,