ACC ~ John 5 v4

THE WATER AT THE POOL AND THE WATER OF BAPTISM

CHROMATIUS OF AQUILEIA: That water [at the pool of Bethesda] was moved once a year; this water of the church’s baptism is always ready to be moved. That water was moved only in one place; this water is moved throughout the entire world. Then an angel descended; now it is the Holy Spirit. Then it was the grace of the angel; now it is the mystery of the Trinity. That water cured only once in a year; this water saves people every day. That water healed the body; this water heals both body and soul. That water healed a person’s health; this heals from sin. There, the body was only healed of its infirmities; here, body and soul are freed from sin. There, many who were weary lay sick at that water because it only cured one person a year. No one will be left lying sick here where the waters of baptism are, if they resolve to come and be healed. SERMON 14. [1]

[1] CCL 9A:62. See also Tertullian On Baptism 5 (ANF 3:671-72).

FOR THEM AN ANGEL DESCENDED, FOR YOU THE HOLY SPIRIT

AMBROSE: No one was healed before the angel had descended. Because of those who did not believe, the water was troubled as a sign that the angel had descended. They had a sign, you have faith; for them an angel descended, for you the Holy Spirit; for them the creation was troubled, for you Christ himself, the Lord of creation, worked. Then, one was healed, now all are made whole…. For that pool was as a type so that you might believe that the power of God descends upon this font. ON THE MYSTERIES 4.22-23. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 10:320*; CSEL 73:97.

THE ANGEL DECLARED THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

AMBROSE: What did the angel declare in this type but the descent of the Holy Spirit, which was to come to pass in our day and should consecrate the waters when invoked by the prayers of the priest? That angel, then, was a herald of the Holy Spirit, inasmuch as by means of the grace of the Spirit medicine was to be applied to our infirmities of soul and mind. The Spirit, then, has the same ministers as God the Father and Christ. He fills all things, possesses all things, works all and in all in the same manner as God the Father and the Son work. ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 1.7.88. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 10:105; CSEL 79:52.