The Fathers
The Shepherd of Hermas Parable 9, 16, 2 (c. 140-155 AD)
“They had need to come up through the water, so that they might be made
alive; for they could not otherwise enter into the Kingdom of God except
by putting away the mortality of their former life. These also, then, who
had fallen asleep received the seal of the Son of God, and entered into the
Kingdom of God. For before a man bears the name of the Son of God, he is
dead. But when he receives the seal, he puts mortality aside and again
receives life. The seal, therefore, is the water. They go down into the water
dead, and come out of it alive.”
St. Justin Martyr, First Apology 61 (c. 155 AD)
“Then they are led by us to a place where there is water; and there they are
reborn in the same kind of rebirth in which we ourselves were reborn: in
the name of God, the Lord and Father of all and of our Savior, Jesus Christ,
and of the Holy Spirit, they receive the washing with water. For Christ said,
‘unless you be reborn, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven’.
The reason for doing this, we have learned from the Apostles.”
St. Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus 2, 16 (c. 181 AD)
“Moreover, those things which were created from the waters were blessed
by God, so that this might also be a sign that men would at a future time
receive repentance and remission of sins through water and the bath of
regeneration––all who proceed to the truth and are born again and receive a
blessing from God.”
Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor of Children 1, 6, 26, 1 (ante
202 AD)
“When we are baptized, we are enlightened. Being enlightened, we are
adopted as sons. Adopted as sons, we are made perfect. Made perfect, we
are become immortal. ‘I say,’ he declares, ‘you are gods and sons of the
Most High.’ This work is variously called grace, illumination, perfection,
and washing. It is a washing by which we are cleansed of sins; a gift of
grace by which the punishments due our sins are remitted.”
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