Justin Martyr, First Apology, 14
Writing in the mid second century Justin provides an account of his conversion and oppression by larger powers. This required the exorcism of the principalities and powers (compare with the work of William Blake and William Stringfellow). It is the fellowship of the Christian community that provides release. His writing echos the importance of baptism in the life of the early church, marking as it did a point of transition prepared for through the catechumenate. Bradstock & Rowland make this clear in their book (see below). This extract is taken from Justin’s first Apology, section 14:
[The demons] struggle to have you as their slaves and servants…they get hold of all who do not struggle to their utmost for their own salvation—as we do who, after being persuaded by the Word, renounced them. Specifically in the baptismal renunciation of the devil and all his works. and now follow the only unbegotten God through his Son. Those who once rejoiced in fornication now delight in continence alone; those who made use of magic arts have dedicated themselves to the good and unbegotten God; we who once took most pleasure in the means of increasing our wealth and property now bring what we have into a common fund and share with everyone in need; we who hated and killed one another and would not associate with men of different tribes because of [their different] customs, now after the manifestation of Christ live together and pray for our enemies and try to persuade those who unjustly hate us, so that they, living according to the fair commands of Christ, may share with us the good hope of receiving the same things…The teachings of Christ were short and concise, for he was no sophist, but his word was the power of God.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/richardson/fathers.x.ii.iii.html
See Radical Christian Writings eds. Andrew Bradstock and Chris Rowland, Blackwell, 2002
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