Final answer:
Option 1 is answer. According to the Didache, the best way to baptize is in cold running water, reflecting early Christian preference for 'living water' in the practice of baptism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked about the preferable method of baptism according to the Didache, an early Christian text. The Didache suggests that the best way to baptize is using cold running water. This recommendation reflects the preference among early Christians for 'living water' for the sacrament of baptism. This signifies water that is flowing or moving, symbolizing purity and the flow of life. If cold running water was unavailable, the Didache advises alternatives in a descending order of preference: warm running water, cold still water, and finally, warm still water if necessary.
The Didache underscores the transformative significance of baptism for Christians, illustrating its role in spiritual purification and initiation into the Christian life, separating it from pagan purificatory rites. While Justin Martyr, an early Christian apologist, does not equate baptism with pagan rituals, he acknowledges the use of water in both practices, albeit with different intentions and outcomes for Christians.