Image: Remains of a cross-shaped baptistery in ancient Laodicea, in modern day Turkey.
This is an occasional series of readings from and brief notes
and commentary upon Eusebius of Caesarea’s The
Ecclesiastical History: Book 7, chapters 7-9. Listen here.
Notes and Commentary:
These chapters continue to report on
the letters of Dionysius of Alexandria to various persons regarding the baptism
controversy. Dionysius sided with Stephen in opposition to Cyprian of Carthage and his argument that the lapsed must be re-baptized.
Chapter 7 describes
the third letter of Dionysius On Baptism to Philemon, a presbyter of Rome. In
it he claims to have received a vision which affirmed the propriety of his
reading the works of heretics so that he might be able to understand and refute
them.
He claims that in his practice he
was following “the rule and pattern” of Heraclas of Alexandria, called here papa
or “pope”, who did not require those who had drifted into false teaching to be
re-baptized when restored.
He also notes that the African
practice extended back to previous bishops.
He next cites the fourth letter of
Dionysius On Baptism directed to Dionysius of Rome, at this time a presbyter
but later the bishop.
Chapter 8 continues
to describe this fourth letter as dealing with Novatian, whom he says falsely
accused “our most compassionate Lord Jesus Christ of being without mercy.”
Chapter 9 describes a
fifth letter of Dionysius to Xystus, bishop of Rome. Here he describes a brother in Alexandria who had received a disorderly baptism at the hands of heretics and with a
tender conscience desired rebaptism, but this was refused by Dionysius.
Beyond these letters of Dionysius,
two others are mentioned, a second to Xystus and the church at Rome, and another
to Dionysius of Rome.
Conclusion:
These chapters expand upon the
(re)baptism controversy and Dionysius’s role as an advocate through his letters in opposition to the position of Cyprian of Carthage and others who were
promoting the necessity of baptism for the lapsed. He appeals to the leaders of
the Roman church, noting, in particular his agreement with Heraclas of Alexandria.
JTR
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