NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

Against those who assert that the baptism in the name of the Father alone is sufficient.Chapter XII.Against those who assert that the baptism in the name of the Father alone is sufficient.28. Let no one be misled by the fact of the apostle’s frequently omitting the name ofthe Father and of the Holy Spirit when making mention of baptism, or on this accountimagine that the invocation of the names is not observed. “As many of you,” he says, “aswere baptized into Christ have put on Christ;” 944 and again, “As many of you as were baptizedinto Christ were baptized into his death.” 945 For the naming of Christ is the confession ofthe whole, 946 shewing forth as it does the God who gave, the Son who received, and theSpirit who is, the unction. 947 So we have learned from Peter, in the Acts, of “Jesus of Nazarethwhom God anointed with the Holy Ghost;” 948 and in Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is uponme, because the Lord hath anointed me;” 949 and the Psalmist, “Therefore God, even thyGod, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” 950 Scripture, however,in the case of baptism, sometimes plainly mentions the Spirit alone. 951“For into one Spirit,” 952 it says, “we were all baptized in 953 one body.” 954 And in harmonywith this are the passages: “You shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost,” 955 and “Heshall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” 956 But no one on this account would be justifiedin calling that baptism a perfect baptism wherein only the name of the Spirit was invoked.For the tradition that has been given us by the quickening grace must remain for ever inviolate.He who redeemed our life from destruction 957 gave us power of renewal, whereofthe cause is ineffable and hidden in mystery, but bringing great salvation to our souls, so944 Gal. iii. 27, R.V.945 Rom. vi. 3, with change to 2d person.946 cf. note on p. 17.947 “ἡ τοῦ Χριστοῦ προσηγορία …δηλοῖ τόν τε Χρίσαντα Θεὸν καὶ τὸν Χρισθέντα Υἱ& 232·ν καὶ τὸ Χρίσματὸ Πνεῦμα.”948 Acts x. 38.949 Is. lx. 1.950 Ps. xlv. 7.951 No subject occurs in the original, but “Scripture” seems better than “the Apostle” of the Bened. Tr.“Videtur fecisse mentionem,” moreover, is not the Latin for φαίνεται μνημονεύσας, but for φαίνεται μνημονεῦσαι.952 Sic.953 Sic.954 1 Cor. xii. 13, loosely quoted.955 Acts i. 5.956 Luke iii. 16.957 cf. Ps. ciii. 4.178