[This is part of a running series on the Didache. See the introductory post for more information — RWB]

Phrasing/Translation

Περὶ δὲ τοῦ βαπτίσματος,
Concerning baptism,
   οὕτω βαπτίσατε·
   baptise in this way:
      ταῦτα πάντα προειπόντες,
      Having first reviewed all of these things,
      βαπτίσατε
      Baptise
         εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς
         in the Name of the Father
            καὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ
            and of the Son
            καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος
            and of the Holy Spirit
         ἐν ὕδατι ζῶντι.
         in running water.

ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἔχῃς ὕδωρ ζῶν,
If you do not have access to running water,
   εἰς ἄλλο ὕδωρ βάπτισον·
   Baptise in other water.
εἰ δ ̓ οὐ δύνασαι ἐν ψυχρῷ,
If cold water is not available,
   ἐν θερμῷ.
   then [baptise] in warm [water].

ἐὰν δὲ ἀμφότερα μὴ ἔχῃς,
If you have neither,
   ἔκχεον εἰς τὴν κεφαλὴν τρὶς ὕδωρ
   pour water onto the head three times
      εἰς ὄνομα πατρὸς
      in the Name of the Father
         καὶ υἱοῦ
         and of the Son
         καὶ ἁγίου πνεύματος.
         and of the Holy Spirit.

πρὸ δὲ τοῦ βαπτίσματος
And before the baptism
   προνηστευσάτω ὁ βαπτίζων
   the baptiser should fast beforehand,
   καὶ ὁ βαπτιζόμενος
   and the one being baptised,
   καὶ εἴ τινες ἄλλοι δύνανται·
   and any others who are able.
κελεύεις δὲ νηστεῦσαι τὸν βαπτιζόμενον
Call upon the one being baptised to fast
   πρὸ μιᾶς ἢ δύο.
   beforehand one or two days.

Notes

Chapter 6 was a transition from teaching on the way of life and the way of death, underscoring the importance to the reader/baptismal candidate of adhering to the way of life. The baptismal candidate was to do everything, or, do as much as possible.

Now the Didachist moves into specific instruction on baptism. I find the intro to the topic interesting. He doesn't move straight into the nuts and bolts of the process of baptism, he first ensures that the baptismal candidate has reviewed "all these things". This refers to the content of chapters 1-6. After that, the Didachist moves on to the formula for baptism. And it is pretty clear: Baptise in the name of the Trinity. This has implications for development of the doctrine of the Trinity depending on where you place the Didache chronologically. Here the basic formula agrees with Mt 28.19.

Also interesting to me is the discussion of what type of water to baptise in. The basic thought is for the baptizer to use the best he's got, but to not put off the baptism because he doesn't have the best water. The way in which the Didachist deals with mode of baptism is refreshing in light of some of the debates on the subject these days (immersion vs. sprinkling). Baptise where you can, when you can, in the best way you can -- but baptise.

The other interesting aspect involves fasting. Both the one baptising and the one being baptised are to fast. Others are to fast too, if they can. This underscores the seriousness of the act of baptism. It represents a breaking with the old ways (the way of death) and an assent to pursue the way of life. It should not be undertaken flippantly or unthinkingly. One should enter into it with seriousness, knowing that keeping on the way of life (bearing as much of the "Lord's yoke" as possible, as Did 6.2 puts it) will involve much diligence, effort and sacrifice.

Next up: Didache 8