Possibly the most likely example
of the light motif in general being connected specifically to baptism comes from Ephesians
5.14. After discussing the Christian’s change of life, Paul states, in a poetic
form:
εγειρε, ο καθευδων
και αναστα εκ των νεκρων
και επιφαυσει σοι ο Χριστος
Most scholars believe this hymn
was connected to the ritual of baptism and sung at the point when the neophyte
emerged from the water. Most feel that the strong connection of metaphors of
sleep, death and light and the verbs εγειρε, αναστα and
επιφαυσει all further support the
association with baptism. Some have tried to increase the link to a baptismal
hymn by comparing it with conversion hymns from the various Hellenistic cults.
More importantly to the study at hand, a specific connection with φωτιζω is also quote possible. Some scholars
believe this quote, although a hymn, has important ties with certain Old Testament
scriptures, the most commonly cited being Isaiah 60.1: φοτιζου, φωτιζου ‘Ιερουσαλημ, ηκει γαρ σου το φως, και η δοξα Κυριου επι σε ανατεταλκεν. Even though the song does not
contain φωτιζο, the Christians familiar with the
Old Testament passage, which would have included many pious Jewish converts,
would have easily recognized the reference and would thus stand as an important
bridge between the use of φωτιζω
and baptism. (Kevin R. Montgomery, "Photismos and Related Terms Regarding
Baptism in Early Christian Literature" [M.A. diss., Texas Tech University,
May 2001], 32-33)
A footnote to the above reads:
Noach ([Das Zitat in Epheserbrief
5:14." Studia Theologica (1951)] pp. 58-9, 62, and 63) also
believes this to be a baptismal hymn, but feels it has more important
eschatological implications. He derives his thought from the language of the
first two phrases, i.e, about being raised from sleep and the dead which he
feels point to the ultimate resurrection of the Parousia. C. 1 Thess. 4.13-14
and 5.10. (Ibid., 33 n. 37)
