ACC ~ Mark 1 v4

THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE

TERTULLIAN: John called for the baptism of repentance to prepare the way for the Lord. He himself led in that way by means of the sign and seal of repentance for all whom God was calling through grace to inherit the promise surely made to Abraham. … He called us to purge our minds of whatever impurity error had imparted, whatever contamination ignorance had engendered, which repentance would sweep and scour away, and cast out. So prepare the home of your heart by making it clean for the Holy Spirit. ON REPENTANCE 2. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0010, 2.14; ANF 3:658*.

MAKING READY FOR ANOTHER

TERTULLIAN: Those who sought the baptism of repentance [1] were dealt with as if candidates preparing for the baptismal remission and sanctification that were soon to follow in the ministry of Christ. When John preached baptism for “the remission of sins,” [2] the declaration was made with reference to a future remission. If so, John’s call to repentance is to lead the way, and actual remission is to follow. This is what is meant by “preparing the way.” [3] But one who prepares does not himself perfect, but rather makes ready for another to perfect. ON BAPTISM 10. [4]

[1] Acts 19:4.

[2] Mk 1:4.

[3] Lk 1:76.

[4] Cetedoc 0008, 10.32; ANF 3:674**. John’s baptism prepared for the baptism that is perfected in the one whom John baptized. John’s baptism of repentance is looking toward the remission of sins, while baptism by the Holy Spirit indeed subsequently effects that remission.

THE BAPTIZER AND THE BAPTIZED

CYPRIAN: The Lord was baptized by his servant. The holy One who was destined to grant remission of sins did not himself disdain to submit his body [1] to be cleansed with the water of regeneration. [2] THE GOOD OF PATIENCE 6. [3]

[1] His body, being undefiled, needed no cleansing.

[2] Baptism implied the need for a purification before entering into the presence of the holy. Needing no purification, he nonetheless submitted himself to this radical identification with sinners. Cf. Mt 3:13-17; Lk 3:21-23.

[3] Cetedoc 0048, 6.112; FC 36:268**.

PREPARING FOR PARDON

CHRYSOSTOM: Since the Victim had not been offered, nor had the Holy Spirit yet descended, of what kind was this remission of sins? … Fittingly therefore, when he had said that he came “preaching the baptism of repentance,” he adds, “for the remission of sins”; as if to say: he persuaded them to repent of their sins, so that later they might more easily receive pardon through believing in Christ. For unless brought to it by repentance, they would not seek for pardon. His baptism therefore served no other end than as a preparation for belief in Christ. THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW, HOMILY 10.2. [1]

[1] SSGF 1:74; cf. TLG 2062.152, 57.185.57-61.