obably the only apostle then living and he, it is thought,
was in a distant country.

At Antioch and other places Gentile Christians evidently soon gained the
ascendency and discouraged, even Jews from circumcision and other
offensive Jewish customs, while water baptism and other usages not
repulsive to Gentiles were generally continued and in time modified to
suit taste and convenience.

The early Christians were not united in making these changes; they
caused continued discord and division among them as is manifest
throughout the writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers and Eusebius.

The Nazarenes, Ebonites and some others adhered to circumcision and the
customs of Moses as the elders at Jerusalem had insisted that Paul
should do and as in the "Hermit Church" of Abyssinia they still continue
to do.[205][206]

We find these Nazarenes and Ebonites soon classified as heretics after
the Gentiles preponderated.

Water baptism seems not to have been insisted upon at first but in the
second century greater importance appears to have been attached to
it.[207] Many, however, claimed that only baptism of the Holy Spirit and
purity of the heart were necessary because none of the apostles but Paul
were baptized with water, and Christ said: "John indeed baptized with
water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit;"[208] and again,
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."

Justin Martyr[209] said: "What is the use of that baptism which cleanses
the flesh and the body alone. Baptize the soul from wrath, envy, &c.,
and lo! the whole body is clean." And again: "What need have I of that
other baptism who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit."

While many such expressions occur in the writings of the "Fathers,"
there are many more which support sacramentalism. Their testimonies are
conflicting.

About the beginning of the third century we find water baptism first
called a sacrament by Tertulian and about the same time he complains
that many tried to destroy it. Plainly, as water baptism was exalted,
opposition increased.[210]

The sect called Ascoondrutes rejected all symbols and sacraments on the
principle that incorporeal things cannot be communicated by things
corporeal nor divine mysteries by things visible.[211]

Schaff says[212]: Many Jews and Gentiles were baptized only with water;
not with Holy Spirit and fire of the Gospel, and smuggled their old
religious notions and practices into the church.