Study of Christianity
Theme 4: Religious practices that shape religious identity.
A. Religious identity through diversity in baptism:
Introduction;
A. Most Christian denominations regard the practice of baptising infants a traditional custom.
B. John 3:5, Jesus tells Nicodemus: 'I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being
born of water and Spirit'.
C. Supported by all the church fathers: Augustine, Irenaeus etc.
The case for infant baptism by Augustine and Zwingli (the role of baptism in salvation; the role and
importance of Christian parents).
D. Council of Carthage: 'even babies, who are yet unable to commit any sin personally, are truly
baptised for the forgiveness of sins, for the purpose of cleansing by rebirth what they have received by
birth.'
E. Infant baptism is usually aspersion (the water is sprinkled over the infant's head).
Augustine Zwingli
Saw it as 'traditions Huldrych Zwingli: leader of
received from the Apostles' as a means of Protestant Reformation in Switzerland.
removing sin. Regarded baptism not as means
Said it was 'handed down of regeneration but as its sign and seal.
by apostolic authority'. Said baptism, 'cannot
Believed baptised infants, contribute in any way to the washing away of
who are not yet able to imitate Christ, are sins'.
'engrafted' into his body. Says baptism seals the
States Christ gives remission of sin by the blood of Christ.
to believers the grace of his spirit, 'which The divine promise is guaranteed
he secretly infuses into infants'. to young children on the basis of their parent's pledge
The fact that infants are to bring them up in the Christian faith.
not able to profess personal faith does not Baptism is a 'Mere Outward' act,
prevent the church from baptising them. a sign and ceremony signifies the real thing.
For Augustine, baptism is a Sacrament is divinely instituted:
sacrament - a religious rite that imparts strengthens faith.
spiritual grace. Sign of belonging to the new
Concluded that: covenant.
'the sacrament of baptism is most
assuredly the sacrament of regeneration.'
In 416 CE, the Council of
Mileum II endorsed this teaching.
Asserted that 'on account
of this rule of faith, even infants, who in
themselves thus far have not been able to
commit any sin, are therefore baptised unto the
remission of sins, so that, that which they have
contracted from generation may be cleansed in
them by regeneration.'
The case for believer's baptism with reference to Karl Barth (the example of Christ, the importance of
consent).
F. No objection to infant baptism until Reformation:
Diverse group of radical reformers began baptising adults who made of profession of
faith.
Hated by both Catholics and Protestants.
Given the name 'Anabaptists (re-baptisers).
o Members didn't accept name as argued baptism was no 'second baptism' because
infant baptism was unscriptural and therefore void.
Theme 4: Religious practices that shape religious identity.
A. Religious identity through diversity in baptism:
Introduction;
A. Most Christian denominations regard the practice of baptising infants a traditional custom.
B. John 3:5, Jesus tells Nicodemus: 'I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being
born of water and Spirit'.
C. Supported by all the church fathers: Augustine, Irenaeus etc.
The case for infant baptism by Augustine and Zwingli (the role of baptism in salvation; the role and
importance of Christian parents).
D. Council of Carthage: 'even babies, who are yet unable to commit any sin personally, are truly
baptised for the forgiveness of sins, for the purpose of cleansing by rebirth what they have received by
birth.'
E. Infant baptism is usually aspersion (the water is sprinkled over the infant's head).
Augustine Zwingli
Saw it as 'traditions Huldrych Zwingli: leader of
received from the Apostles' as a means of Protestant Reformation in Switzerland.
removing sin. Regarded baptism not as means
Said it was 'handed down of regeneration but as its sign and seal.
by apostolic authority'. Said baptism, 'cannot
Believed baptised infants, contribute in any way to the washing away of
who are not yet able to imitate Christ, are sins'.
'engrafted' into his body. Says baptism seals the
States Christ gives remission of sin by the blood of Christ.
to believers the grace of his spirit, 'which The divine promise is guaranteed
he secretly infuses into infants'. to young children on the basis of their parent's pledge
The fact that infants are to bring them up in the Christian faith.
not able to profess personal faith does not Baptism is a 'Mere Outward' act,
prevent the church from baptising them. a sign and ceremony signifies the real thing.
For Augustine, baptism is a Sacrament is divinely instituted:
sacrament - a religious rite that imparts strengthens faith.
spiritual grace. Sign of belonging to the new
Concluded that: covenant.
'the sacrament of baptism is most
assuredly the sacrament of regeneration.'
In 416 CE, the Council of
Mileum II endorsed this teaching.
Asserted that 'on account
of this rule of faith, even infants, who in
themselves thus far have not been able to
commit any sin, are therefore baptised unto the
remission of sins, so that, that which they have
contracted from generation may be cleansed in
them by regeneration.'
The case for believer's baptism with reference to Karl Barth (the example of Christ, the importance of
consent).
F. No objection to infant baptism until Reformation:
Diverse group of radical reformers began baptising adults who made of profession of
faith.
Hated by both Catholics and Protestants.
Given the name 'Anabaptists (re-baptisers).
o Members didn't accept name as argued baptism was no 'second baptism' because
infant baptism was unscriptural and therefore void.
