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Baptism in the Church Fathers Versus Philemon
A friend asked how seriously we should take “The Church Fathers”. I answered that we usually take them seriously when they agree with us! Sometimes they were right on target; others times far from the original practice.
In reading a book on the art and iconography of baptism, the author shows the post-1st century church took baptism more seriously than most do today. However, they also added much more to baptism than the inspired writers did.
For example, “It began with an examination of the candidates’ seriousness of purpose and suitability for membership in the church. This included obtaining good character references, approving their profession, and, if they were slaves, verifying that they had obtained their master’s permission to proceed.”
The book of Philemon shows how someone without a prior good character (Onesimus was apparently lazy and a possible thief – vv.11,18), or owner’s approval (v.10), could become a brother in Christ (vv.16-17).
This old example confronts us with our continual battles. Are we taking seriously what God has said in order to be in fellowship with Him? Are we making more conditions than God did for fellowship with us? God’s word gives us the target to aim for. Let’s neither add or take away.
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