Clement of Alexandria in 180 AD knows nothing of infant baptism and says the Matt 18 passage about forbid not children is not about baptism at all. Some were perhaps arguing for it using that very passage. Clement of Alexandria ‘The Instructor’ (150-215) ....Jesus said, ‘Suffer the children, and forbid them not to come to Me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ What the expression means the Lord Himself shall declare, saying, ‘Unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven;’ NOT in that place speaking figuratively of regeneration, but setting before us, for our imitation, the simplicity that is in children. Then about 200 AD infant baptism had begun and Tertullian said this in his work ‘On Baptism’: According to circumstance and disposition and even age of the individual person, it may be better to delay Baptism; and especially so in the case of little children. Why, indeed, is it necessary -- if it be not a case of necessity -- that the sponsors to be thrust into danger, when they themselves may fail to fulfill their promises by reason of death, or when they may be disappointed by the growth of an evil disposition? Let them come, then, while they grow up, while they learn, while they are taught to whom to come; let them become Christians when they will have been able to know Christ! Why does the innocent age hasten to the remission of sins?
Posted on: Fri, 11 Apr 2014 20:30:35 +0000
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