From the beginning of New Testament Christianity at the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2: 38-39) to our time, unbroken and uninterrupted; the church has baptized babies. Entire households (Jewish, proselytes and Gentiles) were baptized by Christ�s original 12 Apostles (I Corinthians 1: 16; Acts 11: 14, 16: 15, 33, 18: 8) and that practice has continued with each generation.
The Early Church
Polycarp (69-155), a disciple of the Apostle John, was baptized as an infant. This enabled him to say at his martyrdom. "Eighty and six years have I served the Lord Christ" (Martyrdom of Polycarp 9: 3). Justin Martyr (100 - 166) of the next generation states about the year 150, "Many, both men and women, who have been Christ�s disciples since childhood, remain pure at the age of sixty or seventy years" (Apology 1: 15). Further, in his Dialog with Trypho the Jew, Justin Martyr states that Baptism is the circumcision of the New Testament.
Irenaeus (130 - 200), some 35 years later in 185, writes in Against Heresies II 22: 4 that Jesus "came to save all through means of Himself - all. I say, who through him are born again to God - infants and children, boys and youth, and old men."
Church Councils and Apologists
Similar expressions are found in succeeding generations by Origen (185 - 254) and Cyprian (215 - 258) who reflect the consensus voiced at the Council of Carthage in 254. The 66 bishops said: "We ought not hinder any person from Baptism and the grace of God..... especially infants. . . those newly born." Preceding this council, Origen wrote in his (Commentary on Romans 5: 9: "For this also it was that the church had from the Apostles a tradition to give baptism even to infants. For they to whom the divine mysteries were committed knew that there is in all persons a natural pollution of sin which must be done away by water and the Spirit."
Elsewhere Origen wrote in his Homily on Luke 14: "Infants are to be baptized for the remission of sins. Cyprian�s reply to a country bishop, Fidus, who wrote him regarding the Baptism of infants, is even more explicit. Should we wait until the eighth day as did the Jews in circumcision? No, the child should be baptized as soon as it is born (To Fidus 1: 2).
To prevent misunderstanding by rural bishops, perhaps not as well-schooled as other or even new to the faith, the Sixteenth Council of Carthage in 418 unequivocally stated: "If any man says that newborn children need not be baptized . . . let him be anathema."
Augustine
Augustine (354 - 430), writing about this time in De Genesi Ad Literam, X: 39, declares, "The custom of our mother church in baptizing infants must not be . . . accounted needless, nor believed to be other than a tradition of the apostles."
He further states, "If you wish to be a Christian, do not believe, nor say, nor teach, that infants who die before baptism can obtain the remission of original sin." And again, "Whoever says that even infants are vivified in Christ when they depart this life without participation in His sacrament (Baptism), both opposes the Apostolic preaching and condemns the whole church which hastens to baptize infants, because it unhesitatingly believes that otherwise the), cannot possibly be vivified in Christ."
Specific directions, with detailed instructions, for the baptizing of infants were given by bishops to pastors and deacons during this era of Christian history. In the year 517, seven bishops met in Gerona, Catelina, and framed 10 rules of discipline for the church in Spain. The fifth rule states that ". . . in case infants ill . . . if they were offered, to baptize them, even though it were the day that then, were born . . . " such was to be done (The History of Baptism by Robert Robinson, [London: Thomas Knott, 1790], p.269.).
The foregoing pattern, practiced in both East and West, remained customary in Christianity through the Dark and Middle Ages until modem times. Generally, the infant was baptized during the first week of life, but in cases of illness this took place on the day of birth. An example of this already comes from about 260 in North Africa in an inscription from Hadrumetum (Inscriptiones Latinae Christianae Veteres II, 4429-A):
Arisus in pace natus bixit supra scriptas VIIII
This Latin inscription indicates that a child who died nine hours after its birth was baptized. Such practice of Baptism within the first days of life. or on the day of birth in an emergency, remained for both Protestants, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.
The Witness of the Catacombs
The witness of the literary texts of the early church fathers, councils and apologists for the practice of infant Baptism in the first Christian centuries receives valuable confirmation from the catacombs and cemeteries of the Middle East, Africa and southern Europe, Below are epitaphs from the 200�s of small children who had been baptized. it is interesting to note that there are no Christian epitaphs in existence earlier than 200. As soon as the era of Christian Inscriptions begins, we find evidence for infant Baptism.
In that century there are attributes and symbols in tombstones inscriptions of little children which allows us to clearly infer we are dealing with baptized children. The following is as early as 200 or shortly thereafter:
In the second last line is the phrase Dei Serv(u)s which means slave of God followed by the Chi Rho symbol for Christ. The last line is the Greek ichtheos familiar as the "fish symbol" - an anagram for Jesus Christ God�s Son Savior. These words and symbols mark the one-year, two months, and four-day-old child as a baptized Christian.
From the Lateran Museum, also from the 200�s, is a Greek inscription that gives information about the religious status of the parents. It reads, "I, Zosimus, a believer from believers, lie here having lived 2 years, 1 month, 25 days."
Also from this era are headstones for children who received emergency baptism with ages ranging from 11 months to 12 years. Since the patristic sources of the third century, as those earlier, give us to understand that the children of Christian parents were baptized in infancy, we must conclude that these emergency baptisms were administered to children of non-Christians. The inscriptions themselves confirm this conclusion. In the Roman catacomb of Priscilla is reference to a private emergency baptism that was administered to the one-and-three-quarter-year-old Apronianus and enabled him to die as a believer. The inscription reads:
Dedicated to the departed Florentius made this inscription for his worthy son Apronianus who lived one year and nine months and five days. As he was truly loved by his grandmother and she knew that his death was imminent, she asked the church that he might depart from, the world as a believer.
The fact that it was the grandmother who urged the baptism makes it very probable that the father of the child, Florentius, was a pagan. This is confirmed by the formula in the first line which is pagan and not found on any other Christian epitaphs. We have thus in this inscription evidence for a missionary baptism administered to a dying non-Christian infant.
Sole Opponent - A Heretic
In the 1,500 years from the time of Christ to the Protestant Reformation, the only bonafide opponent to infant Baptism was Tertullian (160 - 215), bishop of Carthage, Africa. His superficial objection was to the unfair ability laid on godparents when the children of pagans joined the church, However, his real opposition was more fundamental. It was his view that sinfulness begins at the "puberty, of the soul,,, that is "about the fourteenth year of life" and "it drives man out of the paradise of innocence" (De Anima 38:2). This rules out the belief in original sin.
Tertullian�s stance, together with other unorthodox views, led him to embrace Montanism in 207. Montanism denied the total corruption and sinfulness of human nature. With its emphasis upon the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, it was the precursor to the modern Charismatic Movement.
Except for Tertullian�s heretical views, marking his departure from mainstream Christianity, the only other opposition to infant Baptism came during a brief period in the middle of the fourth century. The issue was the fear of post-Baptismal sin. This heretical view also denied Baptism to adults until their death-bed. It was not in reality a denial of infant baptism in and of itself In fact, the heresy encouraged the Baptism of infants when death seemed imminent, as it also did for adults.
The Anabaptists
Not until the 1520s did the Christian Church experience opposition specifically to infant Baptism. Under the influence of Thomas Muenzer and other fanatics who opposed both civil and religious authority, original sin and human concupiscence was denied until the "age of accountability." Although there is no basis in Scripture for this position. a considerable number of Swiss, German and Dutch embraced the Anabaptist cause. So offensive was this position that Roman Catholics, Lutherans and Reformed alike voiced strong warning and renunciation. It was considered a shameless affront to what had been practiced in each generation since Christ�s command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 18-20) to baptize all nations irrespective of age.
Regeneration for All Ages
Who would be so blind as to limit this expression of God�s grace and mercy to adolescents and adults and to exclude infants and children�s. If John the Baptizer could be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother�s womb (Luke 1: 15), and if Jesus could say (Matt. 18: 6), "Whoever offends one of these little ones (Gk."toddlers") who believe in Me, it were better that he were drowned in the depth of the sea," and if the Apostle Peter could say on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 39), "The promise is unto you and to, your children, "what mere mortal dare declare so gracious an invitation to be invalid for infants, or forbid the continuance of the Baptism of infants for coming generations?
If the entire families and households of the Philippian Jailer, Lydia, Cornelius, Crispus and Stephanas of the New Testament were incorporated into the household of faith through Baptism, surely that testimony is immutable and established for all time.
Yes, we baptize babies. Unmistakably Scriptural proof substantiates that doctrine. Christian history, unbroken and uninterrupted. reflects such practice in each generation. Conscientious Christians do not delay but hasten with their children to Baptism that they may received the gift of salvation and regeneration and gratefully embrace the Apostle�s affirmation extended to those of all age groups: "For as many of you as have been baptized have put on Christ" (Galatians 3: 27).
Dennis Kastens is pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
Bible References
Acts 2: 38-39
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
1 Corinthians 1: 16
(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.)
Acts 11: 14
He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.'
Acts 16: 15, 33
15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Acts 18: 8
Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
Matthew 28: 18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Luke 1: 15
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.
Matthew 18: 6
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Galatians 3: 27
for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Heeey Leon, glad to see you're back ! Praise God!:applause::dancingp:
James, sweetheart, this last article you have posted, goes no where in showing scripture that clearly states babies and children are to be baptistzed, nor does this article even bring forth scriptures that remotely suggest scriptures that babies and children are to be baptized. This practice is not of God it is church practices, and man made doctrine and teaching, and is not even made mention or suggested in God's word.
Jesus is our great and supereme example of everything God requires of us reqarding salvation. And I say again, no where can you find in scripture where Jesus was baptized as a child or anyone else. We are told that at the eight day of His being in the world, his parents took him to the temple to be blessed by Ana and Simeon, and it says nothing about them baptizing him. If this was the case, scriptures would tells us. Everytthing important that we as believers and the church should know is found in scripture.
We are told that at the age of 12, He was about His Father's business teaching and listening, and learning in the temple, and no where does it say he was baptized UNTIL he went to John the Baptist.
What God requires for us to be baptized should also be required for babies and children since He regards us all the same. Babies and children CANNOT CHOOSE or even express their choice in their faith to be baptized... babies are innocent and even Jesus comapred them to the kingdom of God, becasue babies and children ARE WITHOUT SINS!
The call for salvation is to REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED... so what baby or child understand this? How can a baby or a child understand the meaning of Romans chapter 6? Baptism is a practice by those who have been converted and is the first step of faith for the born again believer. A baby or child has no need to be born again or repent of their sins, they are innocent until they are at the age of accountability of knowing right from wrong.
Baptizing babies and children, as far as I;m concern is a cultic false parctice for whatever reason and IS NOT based on God's word and no one can prove it to be scripttural.
Leon you're right, Philip and the enuch, the enunch expressed his FAITH before he was baptized... what faith can a baby or child express, and what gospel have they heard in order to recive this faith?
No, the burden of proof that God is well pleased with this cultic practice is not on me or those who do not believe in it,. The burden of proof is on those who say its of God and can be found in scriotures, and are practicing this . It up to you to prove that what they are doing is proper and in order lining up with the word of God.
No one can prove that baptizing babies and child is in the scriptures, and God has already proven my beleifs in that it has been written as to the meaning of bapatism, and what Jesus' parents did at His infant age, and what Jesus did at the age of 33 when He was first baptized as our example...
As I said, Romans chapter 6 , says much in defense of what I believe in this matter... Babies and children don't have a clue as to what Romans chpater 6 even means, so what is the purpose fo them being baptized? Irealize most adults don't either. lol
I've put forth many question in this matter, and I'm waiting for the answers:yay:
James, those scriptures do not prove that baies and children were baptized. Let's based what we believe on the young life of Jesus and what He did and what scriptures tells us happened. We are told he was circumcised and blessed and presented before the Lord by Simeon the priest and Ana the prophetess in the temple when he was eight days old.
Surely, if Jesus was baptized during this time God would have told us. Even Isaiah says nothing about Jesus being baptized during his childhood.
The age of accountability can very well and should be based on the age Jesus Himself took respinsibility for His own behavior at the age of 12., Luke chapter 2 tells us this.
The developmental stages of a chld is from birth until 12 yrs. of age, whatever goes on in a child's life effects that child after 12, therefore, 12 is the last stage of chidlhood growth and development emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically, going into adolescent.
So I would have to say age 12 is an age for accountability, IF the child is developed properly mentally and emotionally, and knows right from wrong. Soem grown folk don't know right from wrong...lol that's another topic:ROFL::excited:
The truth of what's in the scriptres of God's word has nothing to do with mathematical odd, and I can't count worth a hoot. But one thing for sure that I can count is, that I can find not ONE scripture where a baby or child or even Jesus was baptized as a child. Nor can you or anyone else who believes in babies and children being baptized.
This I know sure doesn't add up to what scripture has to say about baptism, and it purpose, and why we as believers should be baptized, and what Romans chapter 6 has to say and what Jesus preached and the apostles preached about baptism
I sak you, What are the mathematical odd of 1+1+1 equaling=1, but God says it does...:glow::applause::ROFL:
Okay... So, I haven't read the original post in it's entirety yet (sorry, James, SWEETHEART :ROFL: ) and have only skimmed the subsequent posts... So, this isn't going to be all that useful of a comment perhaps.
Regarding the age of accountability... There just isn't any Biblical support of that idea that I've ever seen in the Bible (Granted, I haven't made it past Genesis yet... JUST KIDDING!!). Logically, it would make sense that children under a certain age would not be held accountable, because their brains have not yet developed to a point where they could understand, assimilate, and accept salvation. But such an idea is never stated explicitly in God's Word for us.
What IS clear is that ALL have sinned and that ALL mankind has a sin nature. None are innocent. I see no indication that babies/children are excluded from that. It is also clear that Christ's atoning sacrifice only justifies those who believe in Christ. And we know that God is sovereign and that His plan for redemption was in place before the foundation of the world. So we can be sure that there is a plan and that it is not matter of God just forgetting that "little" detail.
Does this mean that babies/children who haven't accepted Christ go to Hell? I personally believe that they do not. Do I have any irrefutable Biblical support of that? Nope... Other than my belief that we serve a merciful and just God and it's difficult to imagine Him sending a baby to hell.
ET said: "The age of accountability can very well and should be based on the age Jesus Himself took respinsibility for His own behavior at the age of 12., Luke chapter 2 tells us this."
If that were true, then it would have to be true, logically speaking, that children who make a decision to accept Christ before the age of 12 are not actually Christians... since they weren't old enough to really make such a choice. And that idea is clearly against Scripture!
You know, I think one of the main reasons that people like to believe in the age of accountability thing is because it is comforting to imagine a young baby or child who had died as being in Heaven... aborted babies, miscarried babies, etc... We want to believe that a loving God wouldn't send an "innocent" person to hell. And I understand that, and I would love to believe that too. But, I just don't think that we can really argue that point Biblically. Those who have lost a baby or child simply need to trust that God is sovereign, that He does know what He's doing, and leave it at that.
What James is missing is that Babies and children DO NOT go to hell and have no need ot be baptized they are INNOCENT OF ALL SIN AND SINS! They have no need for salvation becasue they already have salvation because of their innocence, this is why Jesus compared children to the kingdom of God.Only those wihtuout sins repentant go to heaven. Babies and children are innocent without sin (s)...
If children and babies were baptized anywhere in the Bible we would know. Case in point, when David's first son died, the Bible says nothing about the child being baptized or went to hell. It says that David said he will see his son in heaven....if God commanded boy children to be circumcisied why didn't He also include they be baptized?
You know, being that the Bible is a book about redemption and all, I really very highly doubt that God would leave out such a basic component of salvation as the need to be over a certain age. "Yeah, let me just purposely make things super confusing and toss in some loopholes there, so that people will never really be sure exactly how to be saved..."
