Tertullian on Infant Baptism

[spoiltvictorian]

"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? Indeed the Lord says, ‘Do not forbid them to come to me’ [Matt 19:14; Luke 18:16].

“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? …For no less cause should the unmarried also be deferred, in whom there is an aptness to temptation – in virgins on account of their ripeness as also in the widowed on account of their freedom – until they are married or are better strengthened for continence. Anyone who understands the seriousness of Baptism will fear its reception more than its deferral. Sound faith is secure of its salvation!”

1. Do Catholics take sponsorship this seriously? Lutherans sure don’t, although the sponsors of my children do, or else we would not have asked them to be sponsors.
2. Should paedobaptists delay Baptism so their children know who Christ is, especially given the safety due to our low infant mortality rates? Or was he wrong, and it is always better to do it right away. (Note that his reason is not “so they can personally choose Jesus” - Tertullian recognizes the effectiveness of Baptism.)

I bet this quote has made the rounds here plenty of times. Hopefully this is a different spin on it, and I am genuinely curious after reading it last night.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Tertullian wrote at a time when it was not understood if a person could come back to Christ after a mortal sin, and so many Christians believed it was best to be baptized late in life or on one’s deathbed. Of course, that would prove difficult, and the Church understood the power of Confession and the necessity of baptism which came to be applied as early as possible instead of as late.

 

[reteeks21]

Tertullian wrote at a time when it was not understood if a person could come back to Christ after a mortal sin, and so many Christians believed it was best to be baptized late in life or on one’s deathbed. Of course, that would prove difficult, and the Church understood the power of Confession and the necessity of baptism which came to be applied as early as possible instead of as late.

Well, if he was a Church Father how did he not know? Were his beliefs not important? How was he uninformed? When, then, did the proper belief come into play?

 

[MarcoPolo]

Well, if he was a Church Father how did he not know?

How did he not know what?

 

[reteeks21]

How did he not know what?

that a person could come back to Christ after a mortal sin.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Well, if he was a Church Father how did he not know? Were his beliefs not important? How was he uninformed? When, then, did the proper belief come into play?

**No one Father of the Church is the universal solvent, or totally infallible. Not even the Pope is, except under carefully defined conditions.

And note that nobody calls him “St. Tertullian,” because (among other reasons) he died out of communion with the Church. He became a Montanist, and later founded his own sect.**

 

[MarcoPolo]

Well, if he was a Church Father how did he not know? Were his beliefs not important? How was he uninformed? When, then, did the proper belief come into play?

**No one Father of the Church is the universal solvent, or totally infallible. Not even the Pope is, except under carefully defined conditions.

And note that nobody calls him “St. Tertullian,” because (among other reasons) he died out of communion with the Church. He became a Montanist, and later founded his own sect.**

Indeed. You can see how there were some varying views in the early Church. And bpbasilphx is right, Tertullian is not an island…a Tradition is recognized when there is unity among many. In Acts 15, you can see that there were a number of church leaders who incorrectly believed Gentiles must be circumcised to be part of the Body of Christ.