The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians: who baptized only upon confession of faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their savior, from the time of Christ to the year A.D. 1660Braght, Thieleman J. van (Thieleman Janszoon)
History
The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians: who baptized only upon confession of faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their savior, from the time of Christ to the year A.D. 1660
Braght, Thieleman J. van (Thieleman Janszoon)
Anabaptists -- Europe -- Biography; Christian martyrs -- Biography; Persecution
_In the year 95._--It is here recorded that Clemens, the fourth bishop
of the church at Rome, ordained: That the heretics’ baptism is neither
to be supported nor accepted; therefore, he that has received baptism
in conformity with the truth of the church, shall not be rebaptized;
but he who does not rebaptize the unclean, that is, baptized by the
ungodly or heretics, shall be deposed, as one who mocks the cross
and death of Christ, and does not distinguish the false priests, or
teachers, from the true ones (distinct. 30. cap.). Again, in his second
epistle he speaks of baptizing on the feast, and that the candidate
for baptism is to be examined three months previously. _P. J. Twisck,
Chron. 1st Book, in the year 95. page 32._
It certainly appears clearly from these words of Clemens that at
that time no other baptism obtained in the church, than that which
was administered after preceding instruction: for when he speaks of
baptizing on the feast, and that the candidate for baptism is to be
examined three months previously, it is certainly expressed, that then
no new-born children were baptized; for who does not know that children
are born throughout the whole year, and not only on feast-days (namely,
on Easter or Pentecost)? Besides, infants cannot be examined in the
faith three months previous to their baptism, as is required here of
the candidates for baptism.
Moreover, in the third letter of Clemens, the following words, which
still more clearly express the preceding meaning, are found: If any
one desires to become a believer, and to be baptized, he must prepare
himself to lay aside the former wickedness; so that he henceforth may
obtain, by a good conversation, an inheritance of the heavenly riches,
according to his own deeds. Let him that desires this, go to his
priest, or teacher, and hear from him the mysteries of the kingdom of
heaven; let him exercise himself diligently with fasting, and examine
himself well in everything, so that after three months he may be
baptized. Every one shall be baptized in running water, and the name of
the blessed Trinity be invoked over him. _Jac. Mehrn. Bapt. Histor. 2nd
part, on the second century, page 209._ from _Clem. Epist. 3_.
From the _Constitutionibus Apostolicis, lib. 7. cap. 23._ by the same
Clemens, these words are taken: Concerning baptism we commanded you
before, O bishop, and say this also: that you shall baptize as the Lord
has commanded us, when he said: “Go, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
Matt. 28:19,20. _Bapt. Histor. page 200. ex. Constit. Apostol._
The above words of Clemens speak so plainly of the true order of the
baptism of Christ, that they need no explanation whatever. We shall
therefore pass on to the martyrs who suffered in or about this time.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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