NOT for debate. Infant Baptism in Early Church History

[Victoria]

Thanks for posting this....

View attachment 2475Looks like we can really get into it with 14 baptisms to consider.

Seriously though , @Victoria.... this is a great list.

Right? You're welcome!

Well, I certainly don't want to be baptized w/ fire, that's for sure!

I honestly thought that once I was "full immersion" water baptized, I'd received the Holy Ghost. Much later, I learned not only have I received the Holy Spirit the moment I believed the Gospel, I also was sealed that very moment when I placed my trust in what Christ alone accomplished at the cross of Calvary for us Thank you, Lord Jesus!!!

 

[civic]

On a different Christian forum, a woman who is Roman Catholic just recently posted this below:

According to Early Church writings, they DID Baptize babies and small children – and referred to it as an ”Apostolic Tradition”:

Irenaeus
He [Jesus] came to save all through himself – all, I say, who through him are reborn in God; infants, and children, and youths, and old men. Therefore he passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying infants; a child for children, sanctifying those who are of that age . . . [so that] he might be the perfect teacher in all things, perfect not only in respect to the setting forth of truth, perfect also in respect to relative age (Against Heresies 2:22:4 [A.D. 189]).

Hippolytus
Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them (The Apostolic Tradition 21:16 [A.D.215]).

Origen
THE CHURCH RECEIVED FROM THE APOSTLES THE TRADITION OF GIVING BAPTISM EVEN TO INFANTS. The apostles, to whom were committed the secrets of divine sacraments, knew there is in everyone innate strains of [original] sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit (Commentaries on Romans 5:9 [A.D. 248]).

Cyprian
As to what pertains to the case of infants: You [Fidus] said that they ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, that the old law of circumcision must be taken into consideration, and that you did not think that one should be baptized and sanctified within the eighth day after his birth. In our council it seemed to us far otherwise. No one agreed to the course which you thought should be taken. Rather, we all judge that the mercy and grace of God ought to be denied to no man born" (Letters 64:2 [A.D. 253]).

I'm convinced that either these church fathers taught heresy or else these are not their original writings. I see NOWHERE in Scripture the practice of "infant" baptism.

ditto

 

[FreeInChrist]

On a different Christian forum, a woman who is Roman Catholic just recently posted this below:

According to Early Church writings, they DID Baptize babies and small children – and referred to it as an ”Apostolic Tradition”:

Irenaeus
He [Jesus] came to save all through himself – all, I say, who through him are reborn in God; infants, and children, and youths, and old men. Therefore he passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying infants; a child for children, sanctifying those who are of that age . . . [so that] he might be the perfect teacher in all things, perfect not only in respect to the setting forth of truth, perfect also in respect to relative age (Against Heresies 2:22:4 [A.D. 189]).

Hippolytus
Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them (The Apostolic Tradition 21:16 [A.D.215]).

Origen
THE CHURCH RECEIVED FROM THE APOSTLES THE TRADITION OF GIVING BAPTISM EVEN TO INFANTS. The apostles, to whom were committed the secrets of divine sacraments, knew there is in everyone innate strains of [original] sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit (Commentaries on Romans 5:9 [A.D. 248]).

Cyprian
As to what pertains to the case of infants: You [Fidus] said that they ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, that the old law of circumcision must be taken into consideration, and that you did not think that one should be baptized and sanctified within the eighth day after his birth. In our council it seemed to us far otherwise. No one agreed to the course which you thought should be taken. Rather, we all judge that the mercy and grace of God ought to be denied to no man born" (Letters 64:2 [A.D. 253]).

I'm convinced that either these church fathers taught heresy or else these are not their original writings. I see NOWHERE in Scripture the practice of "infant" baptism.

Polycarp, disciple of the Apostle John.

Polycarp and Infant Baptism​

Historical Context​

Polycarp, a Christian bishop of Smyrna, lived from AD 69 to 155. He was a disciple of John the Apostle and is recognized as one of the early Church Fathers. The practice of infant baptism was common in the early Church, and Polycarp is believed to have been baptized as an infant.

Evidence of Infant Baptism​

1. Early Church Practices: The early Christian community, including figures like Polycarp, practiced infant baptism. This was seen as a continuation of the Jewish tradition of circumcision, which was performed on infants.
2. Church Fathers' Writings: Early Church Fathers, including Irenaeus and Justin Martyr, supported the idea of baptizing infants. Irenaeus, who was taught by Polycarp, wrote that Jesus came to save all, including infants.
3. Polycarp's Influence: As a prominent figure in the early Church, Polycarp's practices and teachings contributed to the understanding and acceptance of infant baptism within Christian communities.

Conclusion​

Polycarp's baptism as an infant aligns with the early Church's tradition of baptizing children, reflecting a broader theological understanding of grace and inclusion in the Christian faith.

5 Entire Households in the NT were baptized. Households then were extended family. Guest staying with the, Servents, even slaves.

What did they do with the children and babies....?