Forgiveness After Baptism in Early Christianity

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Direct teaching

in order that we may not remain the children of necessity and of ignorance, but may become the children of choice and knowledge, 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 of his sins, the name of God the Father and Lord of the universe;

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book I Direct teaching

For the baptism instituted by the visible Jesus was for the remission of sins, but the redemption brought in by that Christ who descended upon Him, was for perfection;

Tertullian, On Baptism Direct teaching

...her hand, the very thing in John which was celestial, the Spirit of prophecy, so completely failed, after the transfer of the whole Spirit to the Lord, that he soon sent to ask whether He whom he himself had preached, whom he had pointed out when coming to him, were HE. And so the baptism of repentance, Acts 19:4, was treated as if it were a candidate for the remission and sanctification soon about to follow in Christ. For when John used to preach baptism for the remission of sins, Mark 1:4, the declaration was made with reference to future remission. For it is true, as it is, that repentance is first, remission follows after; and this is preparing the way, Luke 1:76. But he who prepares does not himself perfect. He procures for another to perfect. John himself declares that the celestial things are not his, but Christ's, by saying, "He who is from the earth speaks concerning the earth; He who comes from the realms above is above all;" and again by saying that he baptized in repentance only, but that One would soon come who would baptize in the Spirit and fire. Of course this is because true and stable faith is baptized with water, to salvation; pretended and weak faith is bapti

Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness

For it is for forgiveness of sins that this washing is given.

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...sked in baptism is a witness to the truth. For when we say, “Do you believe in eternal life and the forgiveness of sins through the holy Church?” we mean that the forgiveness of sins is not given except in the Church, and that among heretics, where there is no Church, sins cannot be taken away. Therefore, those who claim that heretics can baptize must either change the question or hold to the truth, unless they also assign a church to those who, they argue, have baptism. It is also necessary that the person who is baptized should be anointed, so that, after receiving the chrism, that is, the anointing, he may be anointed by God and have in himself the grace of Christ. Further, it is from the Eucharist that the baptized are anointed with the oil sanctified on the altar. But one who has neither an altar nor a church cannot sanctify the created thing of oil. Therefore there also can be no spiritual anointing among heretics, since it is clear that among them the oil cannot be sanctified nor the Eucharist celebrated at all. But we ought to know and remember that it is written, “Let not the oil of a sinner anoint my head,” which the Holy Spirit warned about beforehand in the Psalms, l

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Finally, after the resurrection, when the apostles are sent by the Lord to the Gentiles, they are commanded to baptize the Gentiles in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. How then do some say that a Gentile who is baptized outside the Church, yes, outside it and against it, can receive forgiveness of sin as long as it is only in the name of Jesus Christ, no matter where or in what way it is done, when Christ Himself commands the Gentiles to be baptized in the full and united Trinity? Unless it is that while the one who denies Christ is denied by Christ, the one who denies His Father, whom Christ Himself confessed, is not denied; and the one who blasphemes Him whom Christ called His Lord and His God is rewarded by Christ, and receives forgiveness of sins and the sanctification of baptism! But by what power can the one who denies God the Creator, the Father of Christ, receive in baptism the forgiveness of sins, since Christ received that very power, by which we are baptized and sanctified, from that same Father? He called the Father greater than Himself. He asked to be glorified by Him. He fulfilled His will even to obeying by drinking the cup and undergoi

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness

...f He is not a man, then He was not seized. If He was not seized, then He did not suffer, nor was He baptized. If He was not baptized, then none of us is baptized. But if there is no baptism, then there will be no remission of sins, and every man will die in his own sins." Manes said: "Is baptism, then, given on account of the remission of sins?" Archelaus said: "Certainly." Manes said: "Does it not follow, then, that Christ sinned, since He was baptized?" Archelaus said: "God forbid! No, rather, He was made sin for us, taking our sins upon Himself. For this reason He was born of a woman, and for this reason also He came to the rite of baptism, so that He might receive the purification of this part, and so that the body which He had taken to Himself might be able to bear the Spirit, who had descended in the form of a dove."

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

But I am amazed that some are so stubborn that they think repentance should not be granted to the lapsed, or that pardon should be denied to those who repent, when it is written, “Remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works,” Revelation 2:5. This is clearly said to someone who has plainly fallen, and whom the Lord urges to rise again by his works, because it is written, “Alms do deliver from death,” Tobit 4:10. This certainly does not mean from that death which the blood of Christ once destroyed, and from which the saving grace of baptism and of our Redeemer has delivered us, but from that death which afterward creeps in through sins. Also, in another place, time is given for repentance, and the Lord threatens the one who does not repent: “I have,” He says, “many things against you, because you allow your wife Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols; and I gave her time to repent, and she will not repent of her fornication. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds,” Re

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Now he who sins after his baptism, unless he repent and forsake his sins, shall be condemned to hell-fire.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...is not before their eyes." Now the way of peace is our Savior Jesus Christ, who taught us, saying, "Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you." Luke 6:37-38. That is, give remission of sins, and your offenses shall be forgiven you. He also taught us in His prayer to say to God, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matthew 6:12. If, therefore, you do not forgive offenders, how can you expect the remission of your own sins? Do you not instead bind yourselves more tightly by claiming in your prayers to forgive, when you really do not forgive? Will you not be judged by your own words, when you say you forgive and do not forgive? For know that he who casts out one who has not behaved wickedly, or who will not receive one who returns, is a murderer of his brother and sheds his blood, as Cain did the blood of his brother Abel, and his blood cries to God, Genesis 4:10, and will be required. For a righteous man unjustly killed by anyone will be at rest with God forever. The same is true of the man who is separated without cause by his bishop. He who has cast him out as a pestilent man when he was innocent is more savage than a murderer. Such a m

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...of the Lord: "Loose every bond of wickedness," Isaiah 58:6. For the Lord has given you authority to forgive those sins of your brother that he has committed against you, as far as seventy times seven, Matthew 18:22, that is, four hundred and ninety times. How often, therefore, have you forgiven your brother, that you are unwilling to do it now, when you have also heard Jeremiah saying, "Do not let any of you think about the wickedness of his neighbor in your hearts," Zechariah 8:17? But you remember injuries, and keep enmity, and come into judgment, and are suspicious of His anger, and your prayer is hindered. No, if you have forgiven your brother four hundred and ninety times, multiply your acts of gentleness still more, to do good for your own sake. Although he does not do so, still endeavor to forgive your brother for God's sake, so that you may be the son of your Father who is in heaven, Matthew 5:45, and when you pray, may be heard as a friend of God.

Tertullian, On Modesty Supporting witness

If we confess our sins, faithful and just is He to remit them to us, and utterly purify us from every unrighteousness.

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

And for that reason, they who repent and are amended by the doctrine of the truth, and by their own faith, which subsequently has been improved by the purification of their heart, ought to be aided only by spiritual baptism, that is, by the imposition of the bishop's hands, and by the ministration of the Holy Spirit.

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

but at any time that they had come to the right mind, obtained by repentance a sound hope of salvation, especially when they received the Holy Spirit, to be baptized by Whom is the duty of every man, they would have intended some such thing.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Likewise, be satisfied with one baptism only, the one into the death of the Lord; not the one given by wicked heretics, but the one given by blameless priests, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19. Do not accept what comes from the ungodly, and do not let what is done by the godly be canceled by a second baptism. For as there is one God, one Christ, one Comforter, and one death of the Lord in the body, so let the baptism into Him also be one. But those who receive polluted baptism from the ungodly will become partners in their opinions. For they are not priests. For God says to them, "Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from serving as priest to me." Nor are those baptized by them truly initiated; rather, they are polluted, receiving not the remission of sins, but the bond of impiety. Besides this, those who try to baptize people who have already been initiated crucify the Lord again, kill Him a second time, mock divine things and ridicule holy things, insult the Spirit, dishonor the sacred blood of Christ as though it were common blood, and act impiously toward Him who sent, Him who suffered, and Him who bore witn

Tertullian, On Baptism Supporting witness

...l answer those who claim that the apostles were not baptized. For if they had received John's human baptism, and were desiring the Lord's baptism, then the Lord Himself had declared that baptism is one. He said to Peter, who wanted to be completely washed, "He who has once bathed has no need to wash a second time" in John 13:9-10. Of course, He would not have said this at all to someone who had not been baptized. So even here we have clear proof against those who, in order to destroy the sacrament of water, deny to the apostles even John's baptism. Can it seem believable that the way of the Lord, that is, John's baptism, had not yet been prepared in those persons who were appointed to open the way of the Lord throughout the whole world? The Lord Himself was baptized, even though He had no repentance due from Him. So was baptism not necessary for sinners? As for the fact that others were not baptized, those people were not companions of Christ, but enemies of the faith, teachers of the law, and Pharisees. From this fact another point may be drawn: since those who opposed the Lord refused to be baptized, those who followed the Lord were baptized, and were not of the same mind as t

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...een immersed by heretics should not be baptized when they come to us, because they say there is one baptism, which is one for this reason: the Church is one, and there cannot be any baptism outside the Church. For since there cannot be two baptisms, if heretics truly baptize, then they themselves have this baptism. And anyone who, by his own authority, grants this advantage to them gives in to them and agrees with them, so that the enemy and adversary of Christ seems to have the power to wash, purify, and sanctify a man. But we say that those who come from there are not re-baptized among us, but baptized. For in fact they receive nothing there, where there is nothing. But they come to us so that here they may receive where there are both grace and all truth, because grace and truth are one. But again, some of our colleagues would rather give honor to heretics than agree with us. And while by insisting on one baptism they are unwilling to baptize those who come, they thus either make two baptisms themselves by saying that there is a baptism among heretics; or else, which is even more serious, they try to set the filthy and profane washing of heretics before, and prefer it to, the

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

14. And even up to this point, that whole heretical baptism may be amended, after some time has passed, if a man should survive and amend his faith. For our God, in the Gospel according to Luke, spoke to His disciples, saying, "But I have another baptism to be baptized with" (Luke 12:50). Also, according to Mark, He said with the same purpose to the sons of Zebedee, "Are you able to drink of the cup which I drink of, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" (Mark 10:38). For He knew that those men had to be baptized not only with water, but also in their own blood. So, being well baptized in this baptism only, they might attain the sound faith and the simple love of the laver. And, baptized in both ways, they might likewise, to the same extent, attain the baptism of salvation and glory. For what was said by the Lord, "I have another baptism to be baptized with," does not mean in this place a second baptism, as if there were two baptisms. Rather, it shows that there is also a baptism of another kind given to us, concurring to the same salvation. And it was fitting that both these kinds should first of all be initiated and sanctified by our Lord Himself, so that

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

.... Further, as you are not ignorant, the Holy Spirit is found to have been given by the Lord without baptism of water to men who believe, as it is written in Acts of the Apostles in this way: “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. For they heard them speak in tongues, and they magnified God. Then Peter answered, ‘Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” Acts 10:44-48 Peter also later taught us very fully about these same Gentiles, saying: “And He made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:9 And so there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Spirit without water, since you see that these were baptized before they were baptized with water. In this way, the declarations of both John and of our Lord Himself were fulfilled, since they received the grace of the promise both witho

Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Supporting witness

And by this (other baptism) they wickedly subvert those that remain with them in expectation of redemption, as if persons, after they had once been baptized, could again obtain remission.

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

For what was said by the Lord, I have another baptism to be baptized with, signifies in this place not a second baptism, as if there were two baptisms, but demonstrates that there is moreover a baptism of another kind given to us, concurring to the same salvation.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...e, and of the Comforter who testified. But first you shall anoint the person with the holy oil, and afterward baptize him with water, and at the end you shall seal him with the ointment. In this way, the anointing with oil may be the participation of the Holy Spirit, the water the symbol of the death of Christ, and the ointment the seal of the covenants. But if there is neither oil nor ointment, water is enough for the anointing, for the seal, and for the confession of Him who is dead, or rather of the one dying together with Christ. But before baptism, let him who is to be baptized fast. For even the Lord, when He was first baptized by John and remained in the wilderness, afterward fasted forty days and forty nights. But He was baptized and then fasted, because He Himself had no need of cleansing, or of fasting, or of purification, since He was by nature pure and holy. Rather, He did it so that He might bear witness to the truth to John and give an example to us. Therefore our Lord was not baptized into His own passion, or death, or resurrection, for none of those things had yet happened, but for another purpose. Therefore, by His own authority He fasted after His baptism, as b

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

XLII. Now this is blessed by the high priest for the remission of sins, and the first preparation for baptism.

Hippolytus, Discourse on the Holy Theophany Supporting witness

I, O Lord, baptize with the baptism of repentance, and I cannot baptize those who come to me unless they first confess fully their sins.

Hippolytus, Discourse on the Holy Theophany Supporting witness

I baptize with the baptism of repentance, but He confers the gift of adoption: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

Hermas, Connection to Acts 2:38 Supporting witness

I heard, sir, some teachers maintain that there is no other repentance than that which takes place, when we descended into the water and received remission of our former sins.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

After the Shepherd had examined all their branches, he said to me, "I told you that this tree was tenacious of life. You see," he continued, "how many repented and were saved." "I see, sir," I replied. "This is so that you may see," he added, "the great mercy of the Lord, that it is great and glorious, and that He has given His Spirit to those who are worthy of repentance." "Then why, sir," I said, "did not all these repent?" He answered, "To those whose heart He saw would become pure and obedient to Him, He gave power to repent with the whole heart. But to those whose deceit and wickedness He perceived, and saw that they intended to repent hypocritically, He did not grant repentance, lest they should again profane His name." I said to him, "Sir, show me now, concerning those who gave in the branches, what sort they are, and what their dwelling place is, so that those hearing it who believed, and received the seal, and broke it, and did not keep it whole, may, on coming to know their deeds, repent, and receive a seal from you, and may glorify the Lord because He had compassion on them and sent you to renew their spirits." "Listen," he said. "Those whose branches were found withered

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...ossed this river, I came to a plain. Then I bent down on my knees and began to pray to the Lord and confess my sins. As I prayed, the heavens were opened, and I saw the woman whom I had desired greeting me from the sky and saying, "Greetings, Hermas!" Looking up at her, I said, "Lady, what are you doing here?" She answered me, "I have been taken up here to accuse you of your sins before the Lord." I said, "Lady, are you the one bringing this accusation against me?" She said, "No, but hear the words I am going to speak to you. God, who dwells in the heavens and made the things that exist out of nothing, and multiplied and increased them for the sake of His holy Church, is angry with you because you sinned against me." I answered her, "Lady, how have I sinned against you? How, or when, did I speak an improper word to you? Did I not always think of you as a lady? Did I not always honor you as a sister? Why do you falsely accuse me of this wickedness and impurity?" With a smile she replied to me, "The desire for wickedness arose within your heart. Do you not think that a righteous man sins when an evil desire arises in his heart? In such a case there is sin, and the sin is great," s

Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Supporting witness

Thou shalt confess thy sins. Thou shalt not go to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of light.

Didache, Connection to James 5:16 Supporting witness

In the church you shall acknowledge your transgressions, and you shall not come near for your prayer with an evil conscience.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

and the rest seized with amazement. So that confession is by all means necessary.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

For, in addition to the first and only repentance from sins (this is from the previous sins in the first and heathen life — I mean that in ignorance), there is immediately proposed to those who have been called, the repentance which cleanses the seat of the soul from transgressions, that faith may be established.

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

... by human faith and divine grace, our transgressions being taken away by one Paeonian medicine, the baptism of the Word. We are washed from all our sins and are no longer entangled in evil. This is the one grace of illumination, that our characters are not the same as before our washing. And since knowledge rises up with illumination, shedding its beams around the mind, the moment we hear, we who were untaught become disciples. Does this, I ask, happen at the coming of this instruction? You cannot tell the time. For instruction leads to faith, and faith with baptism is trained by the Holy Spirit. That this faith is the one universal salvation of humanity, and that there is the same equality before the righteous and loving God, and the same fellowship between Him and all, the apostle showed most clearly when he spoke in this way: "Before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed, so that the law became our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith; but after that faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." Do you not hear that we are no longer under that law which came with fear, but

James 5:16 Supporting witness

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Psalms 32:5 Supporting witness

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Proverbs 28:13 Supporting witness

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Leviticus 5:5 Supporting witness

And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: