Black Church Studies - Black Church Fathers

Online Journal Article: "The (In)significance Of The Baptizer In The Early Church: The Importance Of Baptism And Unimportance Of The One Who Baptized" JETS 61/2 (2018): 355–66

https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/61/61-2/JETS_61.2_355-366_Strickland.pdf

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https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/61/61-2/JETS_61.2_355-366_Strickland.pdf

From the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (JETS)

JETS 61/2 (2018): 355–66
"THE (IN)SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BAPTIZER IN THE EARLY
CHURCH: THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM AND
UNIMPORTANCE OF THE ONE WHO BAPTIZED"
by MICHAEL STRICKLAND
Abstract: This essay considers the role of the administrator of baptism during the first four
centuries of the church. While there were disagreements over baptisms performed among heretical or schismatic groups, the church consistently refused to consider the personal character of the baptizer, focusing instead on ecclesial authority and the beliefs of the baptizand. Though East and West parted ways over whether baptisms performed outside the church could be accepted, they agreed that the baptizer played an insignificant role in rite, as long as the Trinitarian
formula was used. The East went the route of Cyprian of Carthage, who required rebaptism
for schismatics and heretics. The West followed the counsel of Stephen, who was willing to allow baptisms performed outside the auspices of the church. Both East and West accepted that any baptism performed with the Trinitarian formula by a presbyter or bishop, regardless of the baptizer’s character, was acceptable.
Key words: baptizer, baptism, rebaptism, economy, Lapsi