-
Period: 182 to 188
182-188
Irenaeus in “Against Heresies” may be the first to specifically mention infant baptism. -
215
215
Hippolytus in the “Apostolic Tradition” states “First Baptize
the children." -
250
250
Some Christians commit apostasy under the persecution of
Decian -
Period: 254 to 256
254-256
Cyprian of Carthage argues that baptisms given by schismatics are invalid; Bishop Stephen of Rome holds that the
sacraments belong not to the minister but to Christ. -
Period: 311 to 315
311-315
First Majorinus, and then Donatus set up as rival bishops of
Carthage, after a bishop is ordained by a possible apostate.
"Donatists" believed a) only Donatist baptisms are valid
and b) baptisms performed by the unworthy are invalid. -
337
337
Constantine is baptized shortly before his death. -
387
387
St. Augustine baptized by St. Ambrose. -
Period: 412 to 421
412-421
Augustine writes thirteen works and letters denouncing
the views of Pelagius – Augustine believes that we are all
tainted by original sin; unbaptized children are condemned
to "darkness." -
418
418
Council of Carthage condemns “whoever says that newborn infants should not be baptized." -
1412
1412
Council of Florence states that infants should receive baptism “as soon as is convenient." -
1525
1525
Several students of Ulrich Zwingli illegally rebaptize themselves in Zurich, starting the Anabaptist movement. -
1528
1528
Luther states in his Large Catechism “we must be baptized
or we cannot be saved” -
1536
1536
John Calvin publishes “Christian Institutes.” -
1609
Englishman John Smyth re-baptizes 40 followers in Amsterdam, starting the Baptist movement. -
1644
Baptist congregations in London draw up First London Confession, with believer’s baptism by immersion as a central
tenet. -
1649
Westminster Confession affirms infant baptism, but views
that baptism is not necessary for salvation. -
1900
Birth of Pentecostalism, with its emphasis on “baptism
with the Holy Ghost and fire." -
1980
Pope John Paul II strongly reaffirms the necessity for infant
baptism, in the “Instruction On Infant Baptism” by the sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith -
Period: to
1980-present
Baptism is a common ritual to introduce people into christianity.