Items related to Tracts for the Times

Tracts for the Times - Softcover

Scriptural Views Of Holy Baptism Continued

 
9780243260775: Tracts for the Times

Synopsis

This book examines the nature of repentance after baptism in the early Christian church. Historically, baptism was understood as a complete and permanent spiritual rebirth. This work challenges this view, arguing, from detailed analysis of patristic writings, that the early Church taught the possibility of a second repentance after baptism, though it was rare and regarded with great seriousness. It was believed that baptism granted a complete remission of sins, but that sins committed afterwards required a more difficult and protracted process of repentance for forgiveness and re-establishment in the Church. The author traces this belief to comments in the writings of the Apostles and argues that it was a widely-held view in the early church, drawn from Apostolic tradition as well as explicit New Testament passages.

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