CROSS The Meaning of 'Baptisms' in Hebrews 6.2 183
Let us only who, by the Lord's permission, have given the first baptism to
believers, also prepare each one for the second; urging and teaching that
this is a baptism greater in grace, more lofty in power, more precious in
honour—a baptism wherein angels baptize—a baptism in which God and
His Christ exult—a baptism after which no one sins any more—a baptism
which completes the increase of our faith—a baptism which, as we with-
draw from the world, immediately associates us with God. In the baptism of
water is received the remission of sins, in the baptism of blood the crown of
virtues.^78The anonymous fourth-century Treatise on Re-Baptism explicitly quotesboth Lk. 12.50 and Mk 10.38, then continues:
Because He knew that those men had to be baptized not only with water,
but also in their own blood; so that, as well baptized in this baptism only,
they might attain the sound faith and simple love of the laver, and, baptized
in both ways, they might in like manner to the same extent attain the
baptism of salvation and glory. For what was said by the Lord, 'I have
another baptism to be baptized with', signifies in this place not a second
baptism, as if there were two baptisms, but demonstrates that there is
moreover a baptism of another kind given to us, concurring to the same
salvation. And it was fitting that both these kinds should first of all be
initiated and sanctified by our Lord Himself, so that either one of the two or
both kinds might afford to us this one twofold saving and glorifying
baptism... And also to those who are made lawful believers, the baptism of
their own blood is wanting without mischief, because, being baptized in the
name of Christ, they have been redeemed with the most precious blood of
the Lord; since both of these rivers of the baptism of the Lord proceed out
of one and the same fountain, that every one who thirsts may come and
drink, as says the Scripture, 'From his belly flowed rivers of living water;'
which rivers were manifested first of all in the Lord's passion, when from
His side, pierced by the soldiers spear, flowed blood and water, so that the
one side of the same person emitted two rivers of a different kind, that
whosoever should believe and drink of both rivers might be filled with the
Holy Spirit.^79- Cyprian, The Treatises of Cyprian 11, Exhortation to Martyrdom, addressed to
Fortunatus 4, in ANF 5, p. 497. - A Treatise on Re-Baptism by an Anonymous Writer 14, ANF 5, p. 675. See also
the puzzling statement made by the author, Treatise on Re-Baptism 2, ANF 5, p. 669,
that follows his discussion of the words of John the Baptist (Mt. 3.11 and Acts 1.4-5)
concerning his baptism in water and Jesus' coming baptism in the Holy Spirit: 'They
[believers] are so, besides, also in the baptism of every one in his own proper blood.'