The Acts of Paul and Thecla

The Acts of Paul and Thec la is an apocryphal story, one based on accounts of Jesus and his teachings, the nature of God, or the teachings of his apostles. It is not the inspired word of God. Nevertheless, we can learn some things of what the early Christian believed and taught on certain topics such as baptism. Today though people may not see it in the same light, the fact is what is taught by Jesus and the apostles is still valid. Jesus Christ never changes nor does His word, we see that fact in Hebrews 13 and 8. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. And in Revelations 22, 18 and 19. For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book.

Now let’s consider how baptism was viewed there by the writers who had the popular view of Christians at that time which was around the year 200 A D. So we see that she was a virgin who had faith in God, and wanted to follow Paul the apostle. Let’s consider her words and works now. She heard Paul preach the word of God. In chapter one we hear Paul saying this. “Blessed are they who keep their baptism pure…” Later before her martyrdom, she asks Paul to Grant me only the seal of Christ, and no temptation shall affect me. That’s in reference to baptism. To which Paul answered, Thec la, wait with patience, and you will receive the gift of Christ. This view on baptism agrees with the Shepherd of Her may as 9, 12 through 14. The Shepherd of Her may as of 140 A D clearly states that no one can enter into the Kingdom of God unless he or she received the name of the Son of God or jesus in water baptism.

Here’s some others of that time period who held that view. Barnabas wrote in 120 that baptism leads to the remission of sins. Justin Martyr wrote in 150 that baptism is in order that the person “may obtain in the water the remission of sins…” Theo phi lus in 181 wrote about the blessed waters of baptism. He said we were to “receive repentance and remission of sins through water and the bath of regeneration all who proceed to the truth and are born again and receive a blessing from God.” And finally Clement in 191 wrote this on the subject of baptism. “When we are baptized, we are enlightened. Being enlightened, we are adopted as sons. Adopted as sons, we are made perfect. Made perfect, we become immortal . ‘and sons of the Most High.’ This work is variously called grace, illumination, perfection, and washing. It is a washing by which we are cleansed of sins, a gift of grace by which the punishments due our sins are remitted, an illumination by which we behold that holy light of salvation. ” The Did a k written about 180 in chapter 9 says this about baptism, that one should have “been baptized into the name of the Lord.” Jesus is Lord of all in Acts 10:36, therefore baptism was to be in the name of the lord Jesus.