The guilt being removed, of course the penalty is removed too. Sure, this is a possible explanation, but not the only possible one. A treatise on this matter will not be superfluous; instructing not only such as are just becoming formed (in the faith), but them who, content with having simply believed, without full examination of the grounds2 of the traditions, carry (in mind), through ignorance, an untried though probable faith. If that132 was wanting to the apostles, I know not in the faith of what things it was, that, roused by one word of the Lord, one left the toll-booth behind for ever;133 another deserted father and ship, and the craft by which he gained his living;134 a third, who disdained his father's obsequies,135 fulfilled, before he heard it, that highest precept of the Lord, "He who prefers father or mother to me, is not worthy of me. Read Seven Biblical Principles that Call for Infant Baptism | Leanpub Christians must be baptised. []If any understand the weighty import of baptism, they will fear its reception more than its delay: sound faith is secure of salvation. In this point, my diffidence and modesty prejudges none, so as to prevent any from feeling what he thinks right, and from doing what he feels to be right. Infant Baptism - Christian History for Everyman Tertullian Acknowledged The Existence Of Infant Baptism Infant baptism did not even come about until more than two centuries had passed after our Lords birth. Most people know of Tertullian because he provides the first undisputed evidence that the early church practiced infant baptism during his time. Leo provides another reference to threefold immersion, and we also have a clear connection to the biblical theology of Romans 6. 19 Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy. What are the historical origins of infant baptism? | Bible.org There is no argument against infant baptism in the Early Church although Tertullian himself favored believer's baptism. We are now approaching the development of those corrupting influences which had been at work from the Apostolic age, silently sapping the foundations of personal piety. But this, as well as the former, is derived from the old sacramental rite in which Jacob blessed his grandsons, born of Joseph, Ephrem62 and Manasses; with his hands laid on them and interchanged, and indeed so transversely slanted one over the other, that, by delineating Christ, they even portended the future benediction into Christ.63 Then, over our cleansed and blessed bodies willingly descends from the Father that Holiest Spirit. But now that faith has been enlarged, and is become a faith which believes in His nativity, passion, and resurrection, there has been an amplification added w the sacrament,138 viz., the sealing act of baptism; the clothing, in some sense, of the faith which before was bare, and which cannot exist now without its proper law. Chapter 156: Tertullian - Baptism in the Early Church: History And now, as far as I shall be able, I will reply to them who affirm "that the apostles were unbaptized." If any understand the weighty import of baptism, they will fear its reception more than its delay: sound faith is secure of salvation. 8 Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Others said yes, since nothing is impossible to God. And accordingly it makes no difference whether a man be washed in a sea or a pool, a stream or a fount, a lake or a trough;23 nor is there any distinction between those whom John baptized in the Jordan and those whom Peter baptized in the Tiber, unless withal the eunuch whom Philip baptized in the midst of his journeys with chance water, derived (therefrom) more or less of salvation than others.24 All waters, therefore, in virtue of the pristine privilege of their origin, do, after invocation of God, attain the sacramental power of sanctification; for the Spirit immediately supervenes from the heavens, and rests over the waters, sanctifying them from Himself; and being thus sanctified, they imbibe at the same time the power of sanctifying. For unless thou eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, they will not have life in them.. "But Paul too was, in fact, `speedily' baptized: "for Simon,187 his host, speedily recognized him to be "an appointed vessel of election." The unclean cleanses! Chapter II.-The Very Simplicity of God's Means of Working, a Stumbling-Block to the Carnal Mind. "67 Even this is not without the supporting evidence68 of a preceding figure. Type of the Angel at the Pool of Bethsaida.27. For in the sacrament of salvation the contagion of sins is not in such wise washed away, as the filth of the skin and of the body is washed away in the carnal and ordinary washing, as that there should be need of saltpetre and other appliances also, and a bath and a basin wherewith this vile body must be washed and purified. Is it not wonderful, too, that death should be washed away by bathing? There were still open questions about whether Hebrews 6 permitted reconciliation for a baptized Christian who commit a mortal sin. Given this, can Christians who fall into mortal sin ever be saved? The Apostolic Tradition's description of the ceremony of baptism shows that it was designed for those who were old enough to take an active part. There is absolutely nothing scriptural about original sin as it has been applied to the human family after Adam. Cyprian makes a difference between the normal washing that Christians undergo in baptism, and the sprinkling which weak or sick Christians undergo. 16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Chapter V.-Use Made of Water by the Heathen. Second, his basis for discouraging it isnt because the young children dont know Christ. We, then, enter the font once. Baptist History - Reformed Reader But they whose office it is, know that baptism is not rashly to be administered. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. Answer Thereto. Over the waters of baptism, recognising as it were His primeval seat,64 He reposes: (He who) glided down on the Lord "in the shape of a dove,"65 in order that the nature of the Holy Spirit might be declared by means of the creature (the emblem) of simplicity and innocence, because even in her bodily structure the dove is without literal66 gall. Infant baptism - Wikipedia 17 And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation. Hereupon we are thrice immersed, making a somewhat ampler pledge than the Lord has appointed in the Gospel. Another Latin father, Cyprian, provides helpful insight into the issue, but from a unique angle. Hes not arguing for a believers baptism or anything remotely close. Thus, he is a very early testimony, describing baptism as immersion in a language other than Greek. "190 Let them "come," then, while they are growing up; let them "come" while they are learning, while they are learning whither to come;191 let them become Christians192 when they have become able to know Christ. Accordingly, in the Acts of the Apostles, we find that men who had "John's baptism" had not received the Holy Spirit, whom they knew not even by hearing.104 That, then, was no celestial thing which furnished no celestial (endowments): whereas the very thing which was celestial in John-the Spirit of prophecy-so completely failed, after the transfer of the whole Spirit to the Lord, that he presently sent to inquire whether He whom he had himself preached,105 whom he had pointed out when coming to him, were "HE. He enthusiastically endorses baptismal regeneration, and while he discourages infant baptism, he recognizes its validity, and his arguments against it are (from either a Catholic or Protestant perspective) wrong. Otherwise is the breast of the believer washed; otherwise is the mind of man purified by the merit of faith. Only, I pray that, when you are asking, you be mindful likewise of Tertullian the sinner.218. Consider these words of a prophet: How mighty is the grace of water, in the sight of God and His Christ, for the confirmation of baptism! In the sacraments of salvation, when necessity compels, and God bestows His mercy, the divine methods confer the whole benefit on believers; nor ought it to trouble any one that sick people seem to be sprinkled or affused, when they obtain the Lords grace . Mindful of this declaration as of a conclusive prescript, we nevertheless proceed to treat the question, "How foolish and impossible it is to be formed anew by water. But as sins do not show themselves in our flesh (inasmuch as no one carries on his skin the spot of idolatry, or fornication, or fraud), so persons of that kind are foul in the spirit, which is the author of the sin; for the spirit is lord, the flesh servant. As for the fact, then, that "others were not baptized"-they, however, were not companions of Christ, but enemies of the faith, doctors of the law and Pharisees. And grant that it be just as you think7 sufficient to meet each point is the divine declaration which has fore-run: "The foolish things of the world hath God elected to confound its wisdom; "8 and, "The things very difficult with men are easy with God. After the world had been hereupon set in order through its elements, when inhabitants were given it, "the waters" were the first to receive the precept "to bring forth living creatures. Of course, his words are not so to be understood, but as simply spoken after an ordinary manner; just as, for instance, we say, "The emperor set forth an edict," or, "The prefect cudgelled him." He says, According to everyone's condition and disposition, and also his age, the delaying of baptism is more profitable, especially in the case of little children. In adverting to the language employed by Justin North Africa was an important province to the Roman Empire as one of its principal sources of grain, and Carthage probably ranked third only to Rome itself and Alexandria. So while Scripture is totally silent on the direct question of infant baptism (were not told whether or not the households baptized in Acts 16:33, 1 Corinthians 1:16, etc., included infants), the Scriptural teaching on regenerative baptism settles the question. If men think that water is endued with a medicinal virtue by religion, what religion is more effectual than that of the living God? "56 Thus, too, in our case, the unction runs carnally, (i.e. The Universal Element of Water Thus Made a Channel of Sanctification. Chapter IV.-The Primeval Hovering of the Spirit of God Over the Waters Typical of Baptism. 15). More caution will be exercised in worldly matters: so that one who is not trusted with earthly substance is trusted with divine! I worship at a Mennonite Fellowship. Happy water, which once washes away; which does not mock sinners (with vain hopes); which does not, by being infected with the repetition of impurities, again defile them whom it has washed! In what respect, pray, has this material substance merited an office of so high dignity? To deal with this matter briefly, I shall begin with baptism. Cary, NC 27518(919) 573-5350info@shepherds.edu, Policies, Reports, & Complaint Procedures. Immersion in the Early Church Baptismal Practice - Shepherds Tertullian (c. 198, W), 3.676. But how much more is the rule168 of reverence and modesty incumbent on laymen-seeing that these powers169 belong to their superiors-lest they assume to themselves the specific170 function of the bishop! He was the first Latin-writing Christian author whose works we still posses. Consider how the Didache describes baptism: Concerning baptism, baptize in this way: after you have reviewed all these things, baptize into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in running water. Certain Christians said no, based on their reading of Hebrews 6:4-6 and a few other passages. And accordingly He says, "Be ye simple as doves. It should be noted that, although Tertullian mentions infant baptism, it is highly debatable whether that was viewed as the norm since he seems to speak against infant baptism. What then? I would assume that this is the origin of the practice of godparents. "Let them be silent," he says, "and at home consult their own husbands."180. Tertullian on the Baptism of Infants - The Council Whatever the (de)merits of Tertullian's theology of baptism, one thing is particularly noteworthy regarding his argument against infant baptism. "Thy faith," He would say, "hath saved thee; "130 and, "Thy sins shall be remitted thee,"131 on thy believing, of course, albeit thou be not yet baptized. The quotations above are just a sampling of the many early church sources that support the idea that immersion was the main practice of the early church. And indeed it is not once only, but three times, that we are immersed into the Three Persons, at each several mention of Their names. Certainly one can make the case for baptismal regeneration, but not necessarily infant baptism. "206 And the reason, I believe, why they were tempted was, that they fell asleep; so that they deserted the Lord when apprehended, and he who continued to stand by Him, and used the sword, even denied Him thrice: for withal the word had gone before, that "no one untempted should attain the celestial kingdoms. And so they say, "Baptism is not necessary for them to whom faith is sufficient; for withal, Abraham pleased God by a sacrament of no water, but of faith." God's approbation sends sure premonitory tokens before it; every "petition "188 may both deceive and be deceived. For if we have become united with the likeness of His death, we shall be also (with the likeness) of His resurrections, and the rest which the Teacher of the Gentiles discusses further in recommending the sacrament of baptism: that it might be seen from the spirit of this doctrine that that is the day, and that the time chosen for regenerating the sons of men and adopting them among the sons of God, on which by a mystical symbolism and form, what is done in the limbs coincides with what was done in the Head Himself, for in the baptismal office death ensues through the slaying of sin, and threefold immersion imitates the lying in the tomb three days, and the raising out of the water is like Him that rose again from the tomb. Chapter III.-Water Chosen as a Vehicle of Divine Operation and Wherefore. The First Baptist Theologian: Tertullian of Carthage (c.160 - c.225) Tertullian seemingly does not argue against baptism in these cases but in ordinary circumstances. In his Epistle to Magnus (LXXV), Cyprian discusses how Christians should think about those who are too weak or sick to be baptized by the normal process: You have asked also, dearest son, what I thought of those who obtain Gods grace in sickness and weakness, whether they are to be accounted legitimate Christians, for that they are not to be washed, but sprinkled, with the saving water. In other words, the early church sources are clear that immersion was the regular mode of baptism for those in the church, and deviations from that practice were viewed as exceptional. 23 But it is mockery before God, denying the mercies of Christ, and the power of his Holy Spirit, and putting trust in dead works. they will say whatever their parents tell them.). There is to us one, and but one, baptism; as well according to the Lord's gospel148 as according to the apostle's letters,149 inasmuch as he says, "One God, and one baptism, and one church in the heavens. Tertullian on Baptism - Biblical Spirituality Press The ascendency of both infant baptism and penitential rites ultimately led to the demise of the delay-baptism movement. The Lord does indeed say, "Forbid them not to come unto me. Let none think it was with some other, because no other exists, except that of Christ subsequently; which at that time, of course, could not be given by His disciples, inasmuch as the glory of the Lord had not yet been fully attained,115 nor the efficacy of the font116 established through the passion and the resurrection; because neither can our death see dissolution except by the Lord's passion, nor our life be restored without His resurrection. to the work. First, Tertullian doesn't reject the practice of infant baptism. But none either pardons sins or freely grants the Spirit save God only.102 Even the Lord Himself said that the Spirit would not descend on any other condition, but that He should first ascend to the Father.103 What the Lord was not yet conferring, of course the servant could not furnish. "Not with those waters, of course, except in so far as the genus indeed is one, but the species very many. He points out (Book I, Chapter 8, para. I am a former Catholic now a Biblical Protestant. The word of the Lord ought not to be hidden by any: in like manner, too, baptism, which is equally God's property,167 can be administered by all. Let no one say, "Why then, are we, pray, baptized with the very waters which then existed in the first beginning? Permit me to call to mind what I have omitted above, lest I seem to break off the train of impending thoughts in the middle. Anyone who understands the seriousness of Baptism will fear its reception more than its deferral. And therefore their baptism is not one with ours either, because it is not the same; a baptism which, since they have it not duly, doubtless they have not at all; nor is that capable of being counted which is not had.154 Thus they cannot receive it either, because they have it not. For the law of baptizing has been imposed, and the formula prescribed: "Go," He saith, "teach the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. These are the three Sacraments of initiation, by which one becomes a fully-incorporated member of the Church, the Body of Christ. Like the Didache, Cyprian believed it was appropriate to allow sprinkling or affusion when someone could not practice normal baptism by immersion. I am a deceiver if, on the contrary, it is not from their circumstance, and preparation, and expense, that idols' solemnities or mysteries get their credit and authority built up. Our sins arewashed away once, for they should never be repeated. 13 Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell. Who both themselves, by reason of mortality, may fail to fulfil their promises, and may be disappointed by the development of an evil disposition, in those for whom they stood? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? Master of Arts (Biblical Literature & Languages), Center for Research of Biblical Manuscripts & Inscriptions, Immersion in the Early Church Baptismal Practice, Shepherds Celebrates Graduating Class of 2023. He writes: After His resurrection He promises in a pledge to His disciples that He will send them the promise of His Father; and lastly, He commands them to baptize into the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, not into a unipersonal God. For the darkness was total thus far, shapeless, without the ornament of stars; and the abyss gloomy; and the earth unfurnished; and the heaven unwrought: water16 alone-always a perfect, gladsome, simple material substance, pure in itself-supplied a worthy vehicle to God. Thus man will be restored for God to His "likeness," who in days bygone had been conformed to "the image" of God; (the "image" is counted (to be) in his form: the "likeness" in his eternity: ) for he receives again that Spirit of God which he had then first received from His afflatus, but had afterward lost through sin. How Old Is Infant Baptism? | Desiring God "209 Well, and who forbids you, unless it be the necessity for joy, and the thanksgiving for salvation? Tertullians testimony is also important because he is writing in Latin. Tertullian mentions the practice in conjunction with sponsors who would aid in the child's spiritual training. We must look at the bigger picture In it, Tertullian questions the wisdom of giving baptism to infants. Tertullian on Baptism Introduction The act of baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ that has been widely discussed and debated throughout the history of the church. I think its a stretch for him to push the controversy into the six century. Chapter XII.-Of the Necessity of Baptism to Salvation. Chapter II.-The Very Simplicity of God's Means of Working, a Stumbling-Block to the Carnal Mind. "44 Thus, too, does the angel, the witness45 of baptism, "make the paths straight"46 for the Holy Spirit, who is about to come upon us, by the washing away of sins, which faith, sealed in (the name of) the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, obtains. Why does the innocent period of life hasten to the "remission of sins? Old Things Must Give Place to New, and Baptism is Now a Law. "217 Well, you have asked, and have received; you have knocked, and it has been opened to you. God bless you. Into the Holy Spirit, who had not yet descended from the Father? Chapter VI.-The Angel the Forerunner of the Holy Spirit. In this case also a type has preceded; for thus was John beforehand the Lord's forerunner, "preparing His ways. Chapter XV.-Unity of Baptism. (Romans 10:9) 22 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. 9 And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children. The Lord Himself, though no "repentance" was due from Him, was baptized: was baptism not necessary for sinners? Its because of this belief that the Church permits infant baptism: baptism isnt some good work that we do for God, showing Him how truly Christian we are; its a Sacrament, meaning that its something that He does for us, cleansing us from our sins. Incredulity, on the other hand, wonders, but does not believe: for the simple acts it wonders at, as if they were vain; the grand results, as if they were impossible. Believer's baptism - Wikipedia Tertullian is the earliest to reference to the practice of infant baptism. We enter, then, the font155 once: once are sins washed away, because they ought never to be repeated. 20 And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption. Chapter VIII.-Of the Imposition of Hands. Although that is an interesting topic, for our purposes, Tertullian also gives powerful testimony that immersion was the practice of the church during his time. But so far as I, with my poor powers, understand, the Lord figuratively retorted upon Isreal the reproach they had cast on the Lord.210 For the people, after crossing the sea, and being carried about in the desert during forty years, although they were there nourished with divine supplies, nevertheless were more mindful of their belly and their gullet than of God.
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