Barnabas, Epistle of Barnabas 11

Let us ask whether the Lord cared to reveal the meaning of the water and the cross. Concerning the water, Scripture speaks about Israel: the baptism that brings forgiveness of sins will not be accepted by them; instead they will build for themselves. The prophet says, "Be astonished, O heavens, and let the earth tremble all the more at this, for this people has committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of life, and dug for themselves a cistern of death" (Jeremiah 2:12–13). "Is my holy mountain Sinai a deserted rock? You will be like fledgling birds flying away, torn from the nest" (Jeremiah 2:14–15 LXX). Again the prophet says, "I will go before you and level the mountains, shatter the bronze gates, break the iron bars, and give you hidden, dark, unseen treasures, so that you may know that I am the Lord God" (Isaiah 45:2–3). And, "You will dwell in a high cave of a strong rock" (Isaiah 33:16). And, "His water is faithful; you will see the king in glory, and your soul will meditate on the fear of the Lord" (Isaiah 33:16–17). In another prophet it says: "The one who does these things will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and its leaf does not wither; whatever he does prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous, for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish" (Psalm 1:3–6). Notice how the water and the cross have been ordained for the same purpose. For he says: "Blessed are those who, having set their hope on the cross, went down into the water, because the reward will be given in its own time: then, he says, I will repay." Now, when he says, "the leaves will not wither," he means: every word that goes out from you through your mouth in faith and love will bring turning back and hope to many. And again another prophet says: "The land of Jacob was praised above all the earth" (Ezekiel 20:6 LXX). This means: the vessel of his Spirit is glorified. Then what does he say? "There was a river flowing from the right, and beautiful trees grew up from it; whoever eats from them will live forever" (Ezekiel 47:1, 7, 12 LXX). This means that we go down into the water full of sins and filth, and come up bearing fruit in the heart—fear and hope in Jesus—having the Spirit. And "whoever eats from these will live forever" means: whoever hears these things spoken and believes will live forever.