In his Instructor, Clement of Alexandria (late second/early third century) wrote the following, evidencing his belief in baptismal regeneration:
Being
baptized, we are illuminated; illuminated, we become sons; being made sons, we
are made perfect; being made perfect, we are made immortal. "I," says
He, "have said that ye are gods, and all sons of the Highest." This
work is variously called grace, and illumination, and perfection, and washing:
washing, by which we cleanse away our sins; grace, by which the penalties
accruing to transgressions are remitted; and illumination, by which that holy
light of salvation is beheld, that is, by which we see God clearly. (The
Instructor [Paedagogus], Book 1, chapter 6 [ANF 2:215])
The relevant text from PG 8:281
reads:
Also note how Clement refers to
the “washing” [of baptism] using λουτρον,
the same term that appears in Eph 5:26 and Titus 3:5, two key texts in the debate
about the doctrine of baptismal regeneration.
