So any attempt to argue for infant baptism from these passages is an argument from silence. Let's take a look at how infant baptism began and why it's important for adults to take the symbolic step of baptism. Regardless of whether this was the origin of baptism, Jewish history shows that Jewish cleansing ceremonies that resembled baptism clearly existed during the intertestamental period prior to John the Baptist. Since he was born in a Christian home in Smyrna around the year 140, this means he was probably baptized around 140. We can find plenty of instances of Infant Baptism in the Holy Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:16 Saint Paul baptized the household of Stephanus.

It wasn’t until the sixteenth century that Christians began to question the legitimacy of infant baptism. 2nd: Baptism cannot and will not wash away sins.

6. Salvation is a matter of personal obedience (Hebrews 5:9); it is not a blessing that … In a previous article, I quoted Origen equating baptism with circumcision.The quotation is as follows: For if the containment of evil which circumcision signifies is not matched by the works of faith, it is regarded as a form of wickedness. If this had been a change to long-standing tradition, we would have some record of the church arguing over this new practice. But notice that the verse begins with “But when they believed Philip”. The forms and rituals of the various Christian churches vary, but baptism almost invariably involves the use of water and the Trinitarian invocation, “I baptize you: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The candidate The Bible does not record any infants being baptized. 4. Acts 16:15 Saint Paul baptizes the household of Lydia. (Jesus Christ was baptized and yet we know He had no sins to be washed). An infant cannot understand what water baptism symbolizes. Infant baptism is the origin of the sprinkling and pouring methods of baptism - as it is unwise and unsafe to immerse an infant under water. Acts 11:3 St. Peter baptized the household of Cornelius. An infant cannot make a conscious decision to obey Christ. Along with his Infant Baptism in the First Four Centuries, this book established Jeremias as the main defender of the ancient and biblical practice of infant baptism based upon scripture, patristics, and archeology.This book is short enough to read in a few hours, and will certainly challenge any arguments against the practice. Infant baptism (also called paedobaptism, covenant baptism, and household baptism) is the most common form of baptism practiced in Christianity throughout its history.

A verse that has been used to disprove infant baptism is Acts 8:12, which says “they were baptized, both men and women”. It is a most dangerous custom for it raises a sense of false security in those whose parents impose it upon them. Origen, born about 155 A.D., asserted that infant baptism was apostolic. For example, infant baptism is assumed in Irenaeus’ writings below (since he affirms both that regeneration happens in baptism, and also that Jesus came so even infants could be regenerated).

1st: Infant baptism is not biblical. In Babylon, new birth was conferred by baptism of infants. Four, within two centuries of the Apostles we have clear evidence that the church was practicing infant baptism. THE HISTORY OF INFANT BAPTISM IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH. As with most Catholic doctrines, infant baptism has its origins in the Babylonian mysteries. Another passage that has been used to try to prove infant baptism is Acts 2:38-39, notice the mention of ‘your children’ in verse 39. We can find plenty of instances of Infant Baptism in the Holy Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:16 Saint Paul baptized the household of Stephanus. 4) The reason why many Christians in the early church delayed their baptism was due to a faulty baptismal theology and a faulty soteriology.

As I said above, the adult baptism of converts was the most attested practice, but there is still ample evidence that infant baptism was occurring and no one, I repeat, no one was arguing against it. The first clear reference to infant baptism is found in Tertullian's writings and he opposed it, nevertheless showing that the practice did have its advocates at the time.

The practice of infant baptism did not become common until the fifth century, after the writings of the North African theologian Augustine had popularized the theory of original sin.