The early church fathers wrote extensively about baptism, and they viewed it as essential to salvation. These were people who were around in the day of the apostles and soon after, so they understood what the apostles taught.
This is a quote from the early church father Barnabas in “The Epistle of Barnabas.” Many in the early church believed it was written by the same Barnabas who joined Paul on some of his missionary journeys as recorded in Acts. Some church fathers, including Clement considered it to be scriptures.
“Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the cross, have gone down into the WATER… We indeed descend into the water full of sins and defilement. However, we come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear [of God] and the trust of Jesus in our spirit.” Barnabas (Year 70-130 AD) Emphasis mine
This next quote is by Hermas. His writings called “The Shepherd of Hermas” was considered to be scripture by many in the early church. He said,
“Before a man bears the name of the Son of God, he is dead. But when he receives the seal, he lays aside his deadness and obtains life. This seal, then, is the WATER. They descend into the water dead, and they arise alive.” Hermas (Year 150 AD) Emphasis mine
Here is a quote from Justin Martyr who was a leader in the early church who was later killed for his faith in Jesus. You can see he baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
“….and may obtain in the WATER the REMISSION OF SINS formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again, and has repented for his sins, the name of God the Father and the Lord of the universe…. And in the name of Jesus Christ…. And in the name of the Holy Spirit.” Justin Martyr (160 AD) Emphasis mine
The early church father Irenaeus refuted those who would try to downplay baptism in this message:
“When we come to refute them [the Gnostics], we will show in its proper place that this class of men have been instigated by Satan to a denial of that baptism which is regeneration to God. Thus, they have renounced the whole faith… For the baptism instituted by the visible Jesus was FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.” Irenaeus (180 AD) Emphasis mine
“Being baptized we are illuminated. Illuminated, we become sons… This work is variously called grace, illumination, perfection and washing. Washing by which we cleanse away our sins. Grace by which the penalties accruing to transgressions are remitted…” “In the same way, therefore, we also repent of our sins, renounce our iniquities, and are purified by baptism. Thereby we speed back to the eternal light as children of the Father.” Clement of Alexandria (195 AD).
There are many more quotes that could be shared but I will leave it there. I pray your eyes have been opened to understand the power and importance of water baptism. It was never just a symbol; it was an extremely important part of the reborn process. Jesus made it clear that we must be born out of WATER and SPIRIT, or we cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5). In Titus 3 :3-7 we are told that this “washing of regeneration” is all by His grace.
-Mikayla Kooper