We have thus a clear distinction of (1) the ‘res
sacramenti,’ Christ’s Death and Resurrection, (2) the
‘sacramentum’ or ‘sign,’ the outward form of
Baptism, and (3) the ‘virtus sacramenti,’ our real
participation in the benefits of Christ’s Passion, “a death
unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness.” Thus, as
Cyril adds at the end of the section, Baptism “has the fellowship
by representation of Christ’s true sufferings,” it is the
spiritual counterpart in us of that which was actual in Him.