Association does not prove identity
And even then I find the Church Father's interesting but not authoritative
and I dare say you probably don't either
So If you want to prove a point with me you will need to do it biblically
The point that might lead to is--if we can't trust the Early Church Fathers--especially when they were united on that front--then when do you feel the apostasy happened?
You see Tom--if water baptism is the front door for the born again experience--and regeneration--then faith alone theology is false.
Either there was a heck of an apostasy--or faith alone theology is false, IMO.
The Early Church Fathers pointed to the Biblical scriptures to back their testimony:
ST. JUSTIN MARTYR (inter A.D. 148-155)
Whoever is convinced and believes that what they are taught and told by us is the truth, and professes to be able to live accordingly, is instructed to pray and to beseech God in fasting for the remission of their former sins, while we pray and fast with them.
Then they are led by us to a place where there is water; and there they are reborn in the same kind of rebirth in which we ourselves were reborn: In the name of God, the Lord and Father of all, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they receive the washing with water
. For Christ said, "Unless you be reborn, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." ...The reason for doing this, we have learned from the Apostles. (The First Apology 61)
Tom--that's a direct reference to John 3.
And most all the Early Church Fathers used that Biblical reference to denote water baptism for centuries, and the born-again experience, and regeneration, IE---
ST. CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE (c. 200 - 258 A.D.)
[When] they receive also the
Baptism of the Church...then finally can they be fully sanctified and be the sons of God..
.since it is written, "Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (Letters 71[72]:1)[It] behooves those to be baptized...so that they are prepared, in the lawful and true and only Baptism of the holy Church, by divine regeneration, for the kingdom of God...because it is written, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (Letters 72[73]:21)