Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume VII/The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles/The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles/Chapter VII
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Chapter VII.—Concerning Baptism.
1. And concerning baptism,[1] thus baptize ye:[2] Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,[3] in living water.[4] 2. But if thou have not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, in warm. 3. But if thou have not either, pour out water thrice[5] upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. 4. But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whatever others can; but thou shalt order the baptized to fast one or two days before.[6]
Footnotes
[edit]- ↑ Verse 1 is found, well-nigh entire, in Apostolic Constitutions vii. 22, but besides this only a few words of verses 2 and 4. The chapter has naturally called out much discussion as to the mode of baptism.
- ↑ [Elucidation I.]
- ↑ Matt. xxviii. 19.
- ↑ Probably running water.
- ↑ The previous verses point to immersion; this permits pouring in certain cases, which indicates that this mode was not unknown. The trine application of the water, and its being poured on the head, are both significant.
- ↑ The fasting of the baptized is enjoined in Apostolic Constitutions, but that of the baptizer (and others) is peculiar to this document.