Anonymous treatise against Rebaptism

This episode contains an anonymous treatise on the subject of rebaptism. While the author is not known, nor is the person to whom he is writing, it certainly fits within the context of Cyprian’s epistles and the Seventh Council of Carthage. What makes this work remarkable is that it provides a minority opinion, as its author argues against the rebaptism of heretics using arguments that many modern-day protestants may find amenable.

Much like Cyprian, this author relies heavily on scripture to demonstrate that the physical rite of baptism is substantially less important than its spiritual component. He walks through the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Prophets to show that the essential element of the ritual is the Spirit of God. As for heretics, the author argues that baptism is not dependent on the character or belief of the person performing the act. Rather, it is the name of Christ confirmed by the faith of the penitent and the presence of the Holy Spirit which makes this act significant in the life of a Christian. This line of reasoning stands in contrast to the way Cyprian appears to characterize baptism, that in order to be saved one must join the one, true, holy Bride of Christ, and that baptism is the means by which this joining is effected.

Overall this text serves to remind us today that God works in many ways to bring people to himself. It is not our work in the Church or adherence to a particular set of rituals that has the power to save us from our sins, but rather faith in Christ working by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you would like to read more of the writings of the Early Christian Fathers, please visit ccel.org to view the full collection.