Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series I/Volume IV/Donatist Controversy/On Baptism/Book VI/Chapter 23

40.&#160; Successus of Abbir Germaniciana said:&#160; "Heretics may either do nothing or everything.&#160; If they can baptize, they can also give the Holy Spirit; but if they cannot give the Holy Spirit, because they do not possess the Holy Spirit, then can they not either spiritually baptize.&#160; Therefore we give our judgment that heretics should be baptized."

41.&#160; To this we may answer almost word for word:&#160; Murderers may either do nothing or everything.&#160; If they can baptize, they can also give the Holy Spirit; but if they cannot give the Holy Spirit, because they do not possess the Holy Spirit, then can they not either spiritually baptize.&#160; Therefore we give our judgment that persons baptized by murderers, or murderers themselves who have been baptized without being converted, should, when they have corrected themselves, be baptized.&#160; Yet this is not true.&#160; For "whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer;" and Cyprian knew such men within the Church, who certainly baptized.&#160; Therefore it is to no purpose that words of this sort are used concerning heretics.