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Second Baptism And Baptism In Blood As Motifs In The Martyrdom And Patristic Literature Of The Second-Fourth-Centuries A.D., Casey Crosby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the origin of the terms second baptism and baptism in blood and how these terms and the concepts associated with them affected the baptismal theology of the Patristic church. The research showed that these topoi became motifs in specific martyrdom literature (passions) and Patristic writings of the second-fourth­ centuries and were probably invented by Tertullian. The authors examined used these terms in their writings to encourage and exhort those facing persecution to remain faithful-even to the point of death. Second baptism and baptism in blood represented the concept that death in a martyrdom context perfected the faith …