9. What did Tertullian say about baptism?

⁹ Even after apostasy had made inroads, the church father Tertullian (c. 160-230 C.E.) said concerning baptism: “There is absolutely nothing which makes men’s minds more obdurate than the simplicity of the divine works which are visible in the act, when compared with the grandeur which is promised thereto in the effect; so that from the very fact, that with so great simplicity, without pomp, without any considerable novelty of preparation, finally, without expense, a man is dipped in water, and amid the utterance of some few words, is sprinkled, and then rises again, not much (or not at all) the cleaner, the consequent attainment of eternity is esteemed the more incredible.” Note that Tertullian said, “a man is dipped in water . . . and then rises again.”

20. Why is it likely that the early Christians urged new disciples to make a dedication to God in prayer?

²⁰ Early Christians apparently urged new disciples to make a dedication in prayer, for even later Tertullian said: “They who are about to enter baptism ought to pray with repeated prayers, fasts, and bendings of the knee.”