Tertullian stated,
"I say that my gospel is the true one. Marcion [a leading Gnostic teacher] says that his is. I say that Marcion's gospel is adulterated. He says mine is. Now, how can we settle this stand-off, unless we use the principle of time. According to this principle, authority lies with the one who is prior in time. It's based on the elemental truth that corruption (of doctrine) lies with the one who is shown to have originated later in time. Since error is falsification of truth, truth must necessarily precede error."
Why do Baptists (and other Christians holding similar beliefs) today choose doctrines that were first taught 1,600 years or more after the deaths of the apostles over ones that were taught within a few decades of their lives? Who necessarily speaks the true biblical beliefs of faith?
Infant baptism has not only been taught for the majority of Christian history, but even today it is practiced by the majority of denominations. The first implication of infant baptism was during the life of Irenaeus (the disciple of Polycarp, who was the disciple of the apostle John), who was born about A.D. 130. Origen, born about A.D. 155, asserted that infant baptism was apostolic. If the apostle John died sometime after A.D. 98, both of these men were within 50 years of his death. Remember the principle of time? Whose beliefs and practices are likely to be biblical, based entirely on Scripture? The Baptists? Or the early Christians?
Since Baptists want to argue the subject based upon silence for their position, let us look to what the early Christians taught on the issue:
INFANT BAPTISM:
"He came to save all persons by means of Himself—all, I say, who through Him are born again to God—infants, children, boys, youth, and old men." —Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W)"And so, according to the circumstances, disposition, and even the age of each individual, the delay of baptism is preferable. This is particularly true in the case of little children. For why is it necessary—if baptism itself is not so necessary—that the sponsors [Godparents] likewise should be thrust into danger? . . . Let the children come, then, while they are growing up. Let them come while they are —while they are learning where to come. Let them become Christians when they have become able to know Christ. Why does the innocent period of life hasten to the remission of sins? . . . If anyone understands the weighty importance of baptism, he will fear its reception more than its delay. Sound faith is secure of salvation." —Tertullian (c. 198, W)
"Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them." —Hippolytus (c. 225, W)
"Every soul that is born into flesh is soiled by the filth of wickedness and sin. . . . In the Church, baptism is given for the remission of sins, and, according to the usage of the Church, baptism is given even to infants. If there were nothing in infants which required the remission of sins and nothing in them pertinent to forgiveness, the grace of baptism would seem superfluous." —Origen (c. 248, E).
"The Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants. The apostles, to whom were committed the secrets of the divine sacraments, knew there are in everyone innate strains of [original] sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit." —Origen (c. 248, E)
"In respect of the case of the infants, you say that they should not be baptized within the second or third day after their birth—that the law of ancient circumcision should be regarded. So you think that one who has just been born should not be baptized and sanctified within the eighth day. however, we all thought very differently in our council. . . . Rather, we all believe that the mercy and grace of God is not to be refused to anyone born of man. . . . As far as we can, we must strive that no soul be lost, if at all possible. For what is lacking to him who has once bee formed in the womb by the hand of God?" —Cyprian (c. 250, W)
"Moreover, belief in divine Scripture declares to us that among all—whether infants or those who are older—there is the same equality of the divine gift. . . . Otherwise, it would seem that the very grace which is given to the baptized is given either more, or less, depending on the age of the receivers. However, the Holy Spirit is not given with measure. Rather, it is given alike to all, by the love and mercy of the Father. . . . For although the infant is still fresh from its birth, yet it is not such that anyone should shudder at kissing it in giving grace and in making peace." —Cyprian (c. 250, W)
"Even to the greatest sinners and to those who have sinned much against God, when they subsequently believe, remission of sins is granted. Nobody is hindered from baptism and from grace. How much more should we shrink from hindering an infant? For he, being lately born, has not sinned—other than, in being born after the flesh according to Adam, he has contracted the contagion of the ancient death at its earliest birth. For this reason, he more easily approaches the reception of the forgiveness of sins. For to him are remitted—not his own sins—but the sins of another. Therefore, dearest brother, this was our opinion in council that no one should be hindered by us from baptism and from the grace of God." —Cyprian (c. 250, W)
"Baptize your infants also and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of God. For He says, "Allow the little children to come unto me and do not forbid them."" —Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E)
GODPARENTS:
"For why is it necessary—if baptism itself is not so necessary—that the sponsors [Godparents] likewise should be thrust into danger? For, because of mortality, they may fail to fulfill their promises. Or they may be disappointed by the development of an evil disposition in those for whom they stood." —Tertullian (c. 198, W)
Who are you going to listen to? The Baptists, who were 1,600 years removed from the lives of the apostles? Modern preachers, such as John MacArthur, etc., who are 1,900 years removed from the lives of the apostles? Or the early Christians (A.D. 70 to 300)?
As you can see, the teachings of the early Christians drive the final nail in the coffin on this issue, ending the discussion once and for all for all time. Only the disobedient and rebellious will continue to disregard their words, and the words of God's Word, and insist against all evidence and logic that infant baptism is "unscriptural" and that the apostles "taught no such thing." Any professing Christian who teaches this is in denial!