CELEBRATING JESUS’ BAPTISM, WE REFLECT ON OUR OWN BAPTISM

Painting of baptism from 3rd century

In the countries where the feast of Epiphany was celebrated yesterday (Sunday), instead of six of January, Jesus’ Baptism was celebrated today. And this celebration is an opportunity for us to remember our own baptism. Sometimes, there are so many discussions and even quarrels about the baptism and the form that it must take. 

It is always y important to know where we come from and to refer to our roots in order to understand what we do today.

The instructions of Didache about the baptism

There is a booklet called Didache (or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles) written at the end of the first century (may be not much later than the Gospel of John). It gives instructions on various issues; one of them being the baptism. It says:

“Now about baptism: this is how to baptize. Give public instruction on all these points, and then "baptize" in running water, "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." If you do not have running water, baptize in some other. If you cannot in cold, then in warm. If you have neither, then pour water on the head three times in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Before the baptism, moreover, the one who baptizes and the one being baptized must fast, and any others who can. And you must tell the one being baptized to fast for one or two days beforehand.” (From Didache)