Jovinian and Baptism

The ever virginity doctrine of Jerome and Ambrose led to several works being cited that we no longer have. It is through Jerome that we get a glimpse at his opponents view of baptism. One was a man named Jovinian, who like Helvidius argued against the Proto Evangelium of James and against Jerome who accepted its traditions.

Jerome quoted Jovinian in his work.

"It is baptism, Jovinian argued, that establishes the holiness of each Christian."

"only through baptism does one enter into the holiness of the church, and therefore this holiness is possessed by all Christians, regardless of ascetic merit.".

It seems in elevating ever virginity to a higher moral state that Jerome and Ambrose believed that after baptism one must attain to an ascetic state of purer holiness than the married.

This fits with the Catholic idea of sanctification through ones merit or works. Jovinian believed baptism itself was our sanctification and holiness.

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Jovinian did not believe that an ascetic life such as celibacy gave a person greater holiness than ones original forgiveness through baptism and the washing of Christ, who cleansed the church himself.

We can conclude both Helvidius and Jovinian practiced believer's baptism for the remission of sins it seems apparent, while living in Rome.  Thus we see a counter theology in Rome before the protestant reformation.

Jerome quotes Jovinian

"Those who have been born again in baptism in full faith cannot be over thrown by the devil."

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