Salvation flows through the sacrament of baptism because it is the gateway to all of the other sacraments. Thus, these last instructions are very important, and we, as Catholics, have followed them closely. When a person is baptized, he or she becomes part of the Body of Christ, the church. In baptism, the person becomes a new creation and is born again in Jesus Christ. We, as Catholics, believe that the sacrament of baptism completely transforms and renews a person.
It is not simply a covering over of sins by God, but a complete transformation, a rebirth and a spiritual cleansing. In the very early church, most recipients of baptism were adult converts. As time passed and the faith grew, more and more children and even infants were baptized since the adults had already accepted Jesus Christ and been baptized.
Since he was born in a Christian home in Smyrna around the year , this means he was probably baptized around He was also probably baptized by the bishop of Smyrna at that time—Polycarp, a personal disciple of the apostle John, who had died only a few decades before. Here are examples of what early Christian writers had to say on the subject of the infant baptism:. Therefore he passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying infants; a child for children, sanctifying those who are of that age.
In the Church, baptism is given for the remission of sins, and, according to the usage of the Church, baptism is given even to infants. In our council it seemed to us far otherwise. No one agreed to the course which you thought should be taken. Allow sin no opportunity; rather, let the infant be sanctified from childhood.
From his most tender age let him be consecrated by the Spirit. Do you fear the seal [of baptism] because of the weakness of nature? Both these famous Christian leaders were baptized when they were young children.
His views were taken into consideration when the church began to develop doctrine on the matter. Origen another popular figure during the era of the early church also claimed that infants were to be baptized for the remission of sins. In the time, it has become a modern practice within many Catholic Churches.
Acts 2: 39 Peter makes a reference to baptizing children. Acts 15 Lydia converted with her household. Colossians 2: 11 — 12 The New Circumcision of the heart. Paul contrasts this with the former Jewish circumcision rituals. Jesus Christ was baptized and yet we know He had no sins to be washed. Baptism means fully immersed in water and coming out as our Lord Jesus did.
No servant is greater than his master, do as your master did. This what I have to say, If Ruth is too old and her pastor confirms that she is too old to be immersed in water, I believe she can go to hell because of that, if she fulfilled all other requirements of salvation believing with her heart and confessing with her mouth the Lordship of Jesus Christ in her life and leaving a life of holiness.
But in respect of the case of the infants, which you say ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, and that the law of ancient circumcision should be regarded, so that you think that one who is just born should not be baptized and sanctified within [ i.
For in this course which you thought was to be taken, no one agreed; but we all rather judge that the mercy and grace of God is not to be refused to any one born of man. Cyprian, Letter from Ante-Nicene Fathers.
Before the time of Origen and Hippolytus, it's much harder to know. No one speaks clearly of infant baptism in the 2nd century , for or against. However, Justin Martyr does give a reason for baptism that absolutely precludes infant baptism, and he says that the church in Rome received it from the apostles.
And for [water baptism] we have learned from the apostles this reason. Since at our birth we were born without our own knowledge or choice, by our parents coming together, and were brought up in bad habits and wicked training; in order that we may not remain the children of necessity and of ignorance, but may become the children of choice and knowledge, and may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed.
Justin, First Apology Here, Justin specifically contrasts water baptism with the lack of choice that we had as children, and he says that the apostles taught that this was the very reason for water baptism. It is fascinating that Justin is part of the church in Rome! It's the Roman Catholic Church that says that infant baptism was taught since the time of the apostles. They even produce quotes from "early" church fathers to support it. Yet this, the earliest quote that could be applied to infant baptism, given in the city of Rome, is ignored!
That is typical of Catholic apologists. Well, there we have two quotes to work from. One, from Irenaeus around the year , certainly seems to be pro-infant baptism, and the other, from Tertullian around , addresses infant baptism directly and disagrees with it.
He came to save all through means of Himself—all … who through Him are born again to God—infants, and children, and boys, and youths, and old men. He therefore passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, thus sanctifying infants; a child for children, thus sanctifying those who are of this age, being at the same time made to them an example of piety, righteousness, and submission … Against Heresies II Note here that the term "born again" was synonymous with baptism to early Christians.
That really didn't change until the time of the pietists in the 17th century. Use the "Contact Me" button to the left if you can find a reliable, accurate reference to an original preth century document that separates the term "born again" from baptism.
I'd be happy to see it. For example, in the quote from Justin above, he mentions that "we" have been "regenerated" in the waters of baptism.
Thus, by mentioning infants being born again, that's an almost certain reference to infant baptism from Irenaeus. I'm really never ready to make definitive statements, however, by inference. This is clear inference, but it's inference nonetheless. According to the circumstances and disposition, and even age, of each individual, the delay of baptism is preferable; principally, however, in the case of little children.
Let them "come" while they are learning, while they are learning where to come to! Let them become Christians when they have become able to know Christ. Well, that's clear. Tertullian was against infant baptism. Of course, this also establishes that infant baptism was being practiced in his time.
So when exactly did infant baptism begin?
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