What did "one baptism" in the Nicene Creed mean back then?
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In the following statement in the [Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed) (AD 381), what exactly does "one" mean *for the framers* (i.e., not to subsequent interpretation)?
- **[English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_versions_of_the_Nicene_Creed)** : We [*or* I] acknowledge [*or* confess] **one** Baptism for the remission [*or* forgiveness] of sins.
- **[Latin](https://earlychurchtexts.com/public/nicene_creed.htm)** (same as in [Tridentine mass](https://extraordinaryform.org/ExtraordinaryFormTextLandscape.pdf)) : Confíteor **unum** baptísma in remissiónem peccatórum.
- **[Greek](https://earlychurchtexts.com/public/nicene_creed.htm)** : ὁμολογοῦμεν **ἓν** βάπτισμα εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν· ([transliteration](https://www.lexilogos.com/keyboard/greek_conversion.htm) : homologoũmen **hèn** báptisma eis áphesin hamartiō̃n)
Does "one" mean:
1. You can only be baptized one time
1. There is only one way to baptize (with the Trinitarian formula)
1. The catechumen has to accept the one (orthodox) meaning of the creed
1. There is only one authority (orthodox church) that gives the sacrament of baptism
1. Baptized with the One Christ
1. Baptized into One Body of Christ
1. Etc.
This question, which is historical in nature, requires the answer to provide a reference to a historical work that the framers *indeed* intended that meaning.
Asked by GratefulDisciple
(27012 rep)
Aug 31, 2023, 09:37 PM
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