Jumpstarter 7 of 10

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Question 7

Justin Martyr (AD 150) describes baptism candidates who not only believe but “undertake to be able to live accordingly,” and who pray with fasting for remission of past sins, with the whole church fasting with them. What early-Christian assumptions about community responsibility, seriousness of sin, and readiness to obey are embedded in that practice?

Another way to ask: Justin Martyr says baptism candidates committed to live in obedience and fasted and prayed with the whole church for forgiveness. What does that show about how early Christians viewed shared responsibility, the seriousness of sin, and being ready to obey?

Direct Answer Justin’s description assumes baptism was approached with seriousness: candidates were expected to commit to obedience, treat sin as weighty enough to warrant prayer and fasting, and experience repentance as a shared community concern rather than a private ritual.

Support from Transcript:

Justin says candidates are those “persuaded and believe… and undertake to be able to live accordingly,” showing obedience is expected from the start.
They are “instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting for the remission of their past sins,” implying sin is not casual.
“The rest of us pray and fast with them,” showing communal participation and responsibility.
Bercot frames early practice as “thoroughly repent before their conversion and baptism,” matching Justin’s seriousness.
He contrasts this with today’s minimal requirement to merely “acknowledge that you are a sinner,” highlighting the difference in assumptions.

Discussion Follow-ups What might it look like for a church today to “fast with them” in some form—shared prayer, accountability, instruction? What would need to change in our view of baptism to make that normal again?

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