The Epistle of Barnabas

But let us enquire if the Lord took pains to[*](Baptism) foretell the water of baptism and the cross. Concerning the water it has been written with regard to Israel that they will not receive the baptism that brings the remission of sins, but will build for themselves.

For the Prophet says, Be astonished O heaven, and let the earth tremble the more at this, that this people hath committed two evils: they have deserted me, the spring of life, and they have

Is my holy mountain Sinai a desert rock? For ye shall be as the fledgling birds, fluttering about when they are taken away from the nest.

And again the Prophet says, I will go before you and I will make mountains level, and I will break gates of brass, and I will shatter bars of iron, and I will give thee treasures of darkness, secret, invisible, that they may know that I am the Lord God.

And, Thou shalt dwell in a lofty cave of a strong rock. And, His water is sure, ye shall see the King in his glory, and your soul shall meditate on the fear of the Lord.

And again he says in another Prophet, And he who does these things shall be as the tree, which is planted at the partings of the waters, which shall give its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not fade, and all things, whatsoever he doeth, shall prosper.

It is not so with the wicked, it is not so; but they are even as the chaif which the wind driveth away from the face of the earth. Therefore the wicked shall not rise up in judgment, nor sinners in the counsel of the righteous, for the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, and the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Mark how he described the water[*](The Cross) and the cross together. For he means this: blessed are those who hoped on the cross, and descended into the water. For he speaks of their reward in his season; at that time, he says, I will repay. But now when he says, Their leaves shall not fade, he means that every word which shall come forth from your mouth in faith and love, shall be for conversion and hope for many.

And again another Prophet says, And the land of Jacob was praised

What does he say next? And there was a river flowing on the right hand, and beautiful trees grew out of it, and whosoever shall eat of them shall live for ever.

He means to say that we go down into the water full of sins and foulness, and we come up bearing the fruit of fear in our hearts, and having hope on Jesus in the Spirit. And whosoever shall eat of them shall live for ever. He means that whosoever hears and believes these things spoken shall live for ever.