# Brief Summary Of Baptism In This Century. · Page 1 of 5 [Previous page: AN ACCOUNT OF THE HOLY BAPTISM OF THE MARTYRS IN THE FOURTH CENTURY.](/en/stories/mm-an-account-of-the-holy-baptism-of-the-martyrs-in-the-fourth-century/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: BRIEF SUMMARY OF BAPTISM IN THIS CENTURY.](/en/stories/mm-brief-summary-of-baptism-in-this-century/part-2/) At the close of the third century the eminent Arnobius was introduced, and inasmuch as his life extended from one century into the other we refer to him again here in the beginning of the fourth century. He speaks of the virtue and benefit of baptism, as may be seen in the proper place. Fusca and the handmaid Maura were baptized after previous instruction. At this time (in the time of Sylvester) there existed such sects as were afterwards called Waldenses, Anabaptists, etc. One Donatus was called an Anabaptist, and his followers, Anabaptists. Athanasius, while yet a child, indicated, with other children, that at Alexandria they baptized upon confession of faith. In Canon 12, 13, 15, of the Council of Nice several good things are established with regard to baptism. Athanasius, having become a man, teaches wholesome doctrine, not only with respect to baptism, but also in regard to other matters of religion. Soon after him comes Marius Victorinus, who joins together faith, confession, and baptism. Then appears Hilarius, who wrote very appropriately on baptism, and also opposes antichrist, images, and traditions. Monica, the mother of Augustine, was baptized in adult years, though she was born of Christian parents. In the Council of Neocesarea, the candidates for baptism, the baptizing of pregnant women, Christ’s baptism, etc., were discussed. Again sects appear, who were like the Baptists. St. Martin was instructed from his twelfth to his eighteenth year, and then baptized. He strongly opposed war. Ambrose was baptized in adult years, at Milan, though his parents were Christians. He advanced sound views on baptism, against war, of the sacrament, etc. Ephrem, Gregory of Nyssa, the Councils of Laodicea and Elibertum, and also Optatus Milevitanus, give correct views on baptism. Gregory of Nazianzus, born of Christian parents, was already in his twentieth year when he was baptized. Nectarius was baptized in adult years. Basil, the son of a Christian, and Eubulus, consulted together, and were baptized on their faith, at Jerusalem. Posthumanius made a glorious confession at his baptism. John Crysostom was suffered by his parents, though they were Christians, to remain unbaptized, not receiving baptism until he was twenty-one years old. Also, his views respecting baptism; his teaching against war, confession, etc. Jerome, also born of Christian parents, was baptized at Syridon, when he was thirty years old. Augustine, Adeolatus, Alipius, Euodius, Epiphanius, with his sister, all baptized upon faith. Conclusion of baptism in the fourth century. That the holy order of the baptism of Jesus Christ was practiced also in the fourth century, appears from various teachings and examples of the fathers, from which, we shall present only a few, but such as are certain and genuine testimonies. A. D. 301.—At the close of the preceding century, for A. D. 300, we introduced the eminent Arnobius, and showed that, speaking of baptism, he says: “That the candidates for baptism, when they are baptized, state before the minister their perfect willingness, and make their confession with their own lips.” This Arnobius follows us also in the beginning of this century, namely through the years 301, 302, 303, 304; and having not abandoned his previous 149 views regarding this matter, he confirms them with the following testimonies. Speaking against the tenets of the Romanists, who ordain consecrated, or, properly speaking, exorcised water for baptism, he writes thus (in Psalm 74): “It is written: Thou breakest the heads of the dragons in the waters; that is,” says he, “the heads of the dragons in baptism;” but by saying, in the waters, he means to signify that the same baptism can be administered in all kinds of waters, as, in rivers, lakes, wells, baths, seas, etc. In these the head of the dragon, that is Satan, is broken in all waters. Jacob Mehrn. Bapt. Hist., page 323. Of the virtue and benefit of baptism he teaches as follows, Psalm 32, where the Psalmist says: “In the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him,” upon which he remarks: “that men, by the true water of baptism, draw nigh to God, who is a refuge from the fear of Satan that encompasses us.” Jacob Mehrn., page 324. Again, Psalm 32, he says: “Man is redeemed; no angel, nor any other creature, but man alone praises his mercy, says the Lord, whose sins he forgives in baptism.” Jacob Mehrn., page 325. Although these words of Arnobius are somewhat obscure, yet they contain light enough, to emit rays of divine truth concerning the matter of baptism. For when in the first place he says, that the head of the dragon is broken in baptism (by dragon meaning Satan), he certainly indicates thereby, that he speaks of persons who, having attained maturer years, become subject to the assaults of Satan, and that these, in baptism, break the head of the dragon, that is, Satan, by means of the true faith, through Christ; hence he does not speak of children—who are ignorant of the assaults of Satan—and, consequently, not of infant baptism. ## Original source [Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_149) [Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855) [Previous page: AN ACCOUNT OF THE HOLY BAPTISM OF THE MARTYRS IN THE FOURTH CENTURY.](/en/stories/mm-an-account-of-the-holy-baptism-of-the-martyrs-in-the-fourth-century/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: BRIEF SUMMARY OF BAPTISM IN THIS CENTURY.](/en/stories/mm-brief-summary-of-baptism-in-this-century/part-2/) --- Page: https://history.truechristian.church/en/stories/mm-brief-summary-of-baptism-in-this-century/ [Contribute a correction or addition](https://github.com/trueChristian/history.truechristian.church/issues/new?title=Correction%3A+Brief+Summary+Of+Baptism+In+This+Century.+%C2%B7+Page+1+of+5&body=%23%23+Page+or+topic%0ABrief+Summary+Of+Baptism+In+This+Century.+%C2%B7+Page+1+of+5%0A%0APage%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fhistory.truechristian.church%2Fen%2Fstories%2Fmm-brief-summary-of-baptism-in-this-century%2F%0A%0ARecord%3A+mm-brief-summary-of-baptism-in-this-century%0A%0ADate+currently+shown%3A+4th+century+%28source+section%29%0A%0A%23%23+Correction+or+addition%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Sources+and+evidence%0APlease+include+book%2Fpage+references%2C+archive+links%2C+or+first-hand+documentation.%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Image+credit+%28if+applicable%29%0ACreator%2C+source%2C+and+permission+or+public-domain+basis.%0A%0A%0A%0ASubmitted+for+review%3B+this+issue+does+not+publish+changes+automatically.)