Dimensions of Baptism Biblical and Theological Studies

216 Dimensions of Baptism

Isaiah 45.2-3 (cf. Ps. 106.16, LXX), quoted in 11.4, would seem to con-

tribute nothing to the theme of water. Lundberg appears to have pointed

the way to understanding the connection Barnabas intended. The prophet

was interpreted as speaking of Christ's death and descensus ad inferos

when he broke the gates of the hadean world. The Od. Sol 17.6-16, allud-

ing to the same passage from Isaiah in 17.10, describes Christ's descensus

and resurrection and the blessings of union with him. By baptism the

believer shares in the benefits of Christ's death, including the safe passage

through the waters of death.^381 would add that 'hidden' may contain an

allusion to going under the water in parallel to Christ's descensus and

'treasures' may be a reference to the spiritual blessings associated with

baptism.

The quotation of Isa. 33.16-18 follows immediately (11.5). Here an

allusion to the water from the rock in the wilderness is more obvious,

although the emphasis in Isaiah is on the secure dwelling place of God's

people. The omission of apxos (bread) from the Greek of Isaiah is

notable, since it would be so suitable to the baptismal eucharist, and may

be another indication that Barnabas is drawing on a collection made for

another purpose that he applies to baptism. In sequence to a reference to

the descent, Barnabas is saying that the faithful find in baptism the rock

that gives salvation and strength against the overwhelming flood. There

they see Christ, who was glorified in victory over Satan and death. The

menacing water has become the saving water.^39

Barnabas 11.6-8 introduces a quotation from Ps. 1 that combines a ref-

erence to wood and water, the 'tree planted by streams of water'.^40

the LXX'S Sion, perhaps to sharpen the thrust at the Jews not really having water.
Prigent, Les Testimonia, p. 91, discusses the linking of the quotations from Jeremiah
and Isaiah.

37. Robert A. Kraft, 'Barnabas' Isaiah Text and the "Testimony Book" Hypothe-
    sis', JBL 79 (1960), pp. 336-50 (346), discusses the use of Isa. 16.1-2 in Barn. 11.3.


38. Lundberg, La typologie baptismale,vp. 119-84, on Barn. 11. So, also, Prigent,
    Les Testimonia, pp. 93-95. Bo Reicke, The Disobedient Spirits and Christian Baptism
    (Copenhagen: Munksgaard, 1946), esp. pp. 233, 243-47, discusses the association of
    the descent with baptism through the linking of the descent with the flood, notably in
    Od. Sol. 24. Wengst, Tradition und Theologie, p. 40 n. 77, finds Prigent's interpetation
    unconvincing.


39. Prigent, Les Testimonia, p. 95; Prigent and Kraft, Epitre, p. 162. Cf. Od. Sol.
    11.5 for being established on a rock.


40. Jean-Luc Vesco,' La lecture du Psautier selon 1' Epitre de Barnabe', RevBib 93
    (1986), pp. 5-37, classifies the treatment of Ps. 1 by Barnabas as a typological reading
    of the Psalms (pp. 14-15, 26-27).