Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-387) on Baptism

Baptism and Being “Born Again”

It is not I that say this, but the Lord Jesus Christ, who has the power in this matter: for He saith, Except a man be born anew (and He adds the words) of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. . . . Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; in order that, the soul having been born again by faith, the body also might by the water partake of the grace. (Third Catechetical Lecture, 4)

And at the self-same moment ye were both dying and being born; . . . (Twentieth Catechetical Lecture, 4)

Baptism and Grace

Regard not the Laver as simple water, but rather regard the spiritual grace that is given with the water. . . . the simple water having received the invocation of the Holy Ghost, and of Christ, and of the Father, acquires a new power of holiness. . . . Neither doth he that is baptized with water, but not found worthy of the Spirit, receive the grace in perfection; nor if a man be virtuous in his deeds, but receive not the seal by water, shall he enter into the kingdom of heaven. . . . But if any one wishes to know why the grace is given by water and not by a different element, let him take up the Divine Scriptures and he shall learn. . . . For thou goest down into the water, bearing thy sins, but the invocation of grace, having sealed thy soul, suffereth thee not afterwards to be swallowed up by the terrible dragon. (Third Catechetical Lecture, 3-5, 12)

Baptism and Justification / Sanctification

For since man is of twofold nature, soul and body, the purification also is twofold, the one incorporeal for the incorporeal part, and the other bodily for the body: the water cleanses the body, and the Spirit seals the soul; that we may draw near unto God, having our heart sprinkled by the Spirit, and our body washed with pure water. . . . Having gone down dead in sins, thou comest up quickened in righteousness. (Third Catechetical Lecture, 4 and 12)

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Baptism and Salvation

Great is the Baptism that lies before you a ransom to captives; a remission of offences; a death of sin; a new-birth of the soul; a garment of light; a holy indissoluble seal; a chariot to heaven; the delight of Paradise; a welcome into the kingdom; the gift of adoption! But there is a serpent by the wayside watching those who pass by: beware lest he bite thee with unbelief. He sees so many receiving salvation, and is seeking whom he may devour. (Procatechesis for the Catechetical Lectures, 16)

When going down, therefore, into the water, think not of the bare element, but look for salvation by the power of the Holy Ghost: for without both thou canst not possibly be made perfect. . . . If any man receive not Baptism, he hath not salvation; . . . (Third Catechetical Lecture, 4 and 10)

. . . that having lived the rest of thy life in the flesh in soberness and godly doctrine, thou mayest enjoy the one salvation which flows from Baptism; . . . (Fourth Catechetical Lecture, 37)

. . . that Water of salvation was at once your grave and your mother. (Twentieth Catechetical Lecture, 4)

Method or Mode of Baptism

After these things, ye were led to the holy pool of Divine Baptism, . . . And each of you was asked, whether he believed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and ye made that saving confession, and descended three times into the water, and ascended again; here also hinting by a symbol at the three days burial of Christ. (Twentieth Catechetical Lecture, 4)

Baptismal Regeneration

If any here is a slave of sin, let him promptly prepare himself through faith for the new birth into freedom and adoption; and having put off the miserable bondage of his sins, and taken on him the most blessed bondage of the Lord, so may he be counted worthy to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Put off, by confession, the old man, which waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit, that ye may put on the new man, which is renewed according to knowledge of Him that created him. Get you the earnest of the Holy Spirit through faith, that ye may be able to be received into the everlasting habitations. Come for the mystical Seal, that ye may be easily recognised by the Master; be ye numbered among the holy and spiritual flock of Christ, to be set apart on His right hand, and inherit the life prepared for you. For they to whom the rough garment of their sins still clings are found on the left hand, because they came not to the grace of God which is given through Christ at the new birth of Baptism: new birth I mean not of bodies, but the spiritual new birth of the soul. (First Catechetical Lecture, 2)

For as Jesus took upon Him the sins of the world, and died, that by putting sin to death He might rise again in righteousness; so thou by going down into the water, and being in a manner buried in the waters, as He was in the rock, art raised again walking in newness of life. (Third Catechetical Lecture, 12)

. . . divine and life-giving Baptism . . . (Nineteenth Catechetical Lecture, 1)