Baptism

By PATPHAM
  • 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.