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A Critical Investigation of Relevant Christian Writings (80 – 325 A.D.)

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A Critical Investigation of Relevant Christian Writings (80 – 325 A.D.) Baptism in early Christianity: A critical investigation of relevant Christian writings (80 – 325 A.D.) L. Tarquini orcid.org 0000-0001-6421-6589 Dissertation accepted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Theology in Church and Dogma History at the North-West University Supervisor: Prof RM Britz Co-Supervisor: Prof C Napolitano Graduation ceremony: May 2020 Student number: 26968150 Baptism in early Christianity: A critical investigation of relevant Christian writings (80 – 325 A.D.) To my grandfather Ferdinando Tarquini whose memory is always alive in all those who knew him and loved him. 1 Baptism in early Christianity: A critical investigation of relevant Christian writings (80 – 325 A.D.) ABSTRACT This research project deals with the practice of the baptism in the early church and thus during the time of the origins of Christianity. Its main interest is to offer a substantiated answer to the following question: did the first generations of Christians baptize infants? The study dealt in-depth with this question. It is answered in terms of a thorough and accurate investigation of recognized and accepted translations of primary sources. The study comprises six chapters. The first chapter offers an introduction to the research and outlines the sources as well as the method employed in analyzing the early Christian literature. Chapter two entails an overview of New Testament information related to baptism and infant baptism. The New Testament is obviously the most fundamental document on the issue and provides useful indications on what was practiced in the early churches concerning the baptism of infants and children. The following chapter (third) investigates the primary historical documents dated between 80 and 200 A.D. and covers thus (infant) baptism during the second century. These include the Didaché or the teaching of the twelve apostles (80-100 A.D.), the Letter of Barnabas (unknown - 61 A.D.), Shepherd of Hermas (unknown - 140/155 A.D.), Ignatius of Antioch (35-110 A.D.), Justin Martyr (100 – 165 A.D.) and Irenaeus of Lyons (130 - 200 A.D.). Chapter four – Differentiated views and the incorporation of children at the beginning of the third century - focuses on historical documents from 200-250 A.D. These include: Tertullian (160-240 2 Baptism in early Christianity: A critical investigation of relevant Christian writings (80 – 325 A.D.) A.D.), Hippolytus of Rome (170 - 235 A.D.) and Origen (183/186 – 253 A.D). Chapter five – Synodical decrees on the baptism of children until the Council of Nicaea (325) – offers an exposition of documents dated from 220-325 A.D. These encapsulate the views of Cyprian of Carthage (210-258 A.D.), the Synod of Elvira (306/312 A.D.), the Synod of Neo- Caesarea (314/325 A.D.) and the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.). The ultimate chapter entails a substantiated conclusion to the study. In final analysis the research indicated that there are no proven evidences that enables us to affirm with certainty that pedo-baptism was the norm or, in any case, that it was in use from the very beginning of the Christian church. KEY WORDS Baptism, Council of Nicaea, Early Christianity, Infant Baptism, Preparation for Baptism. 3 Baptism in early Christianity: A critical investigation of relevant Christian writings (80 – 325 A.D.) TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 6 1.1 Problem statement ............................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Aim and Objectives .............................................................................................................. 8 1.3 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 9 1.4 The primary sources .......................................................................................................... 10 1.5 Exposition ........................................................................................................................... 12 1.6 Value of the study ............................................................................................................... 13 BAPTISM IN THE NEW TESTAMENT .................................................... 15 2.1 Baptism in the Gospels....................................................................................................... 15 2.1.1 Matthew .......................................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.2 Mark ................................................................................................................................................ 18 2.1.3 Luke ................................................................................................................................................ 19 2.1.4 John ................................................................................................................................................. 19 2.2 Baptism in the Acts of the Apostles .................................................................................. 21 2.2.1 Speech by Peter (Acts 2:37-41) ....................................................................................................... 21 2.2.2 Samaritan Christians (Acts 8:5-25) ................................................................................................. 23 2.2.3 The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) ............................................................................................. 23 2.2.4 Conversion and Baptism of Paul (Acts 9:1-19: 22:3-21) ................................................................ 25 2.2.5 The centurion Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48) .......................................................................................... 26 2.2.5.1 The issue of an entire family baptized .......................................................................................... 28 2.2.6 Lydia (Acts 16:12-15) ..................................................................................................................... 29 2.2.7 The keeper of the prison of Philippi (Acts 16:25-34) ...................................................................... 31 2.2.8 Crispus (The Acts 18:8) .................................................................................................................. 33 2.2.9 Disciples (of John the Baptist?) (Acts 19:1-5) ................................................................................ 33 2.3 Baptism in the letters of Paul. ........................................................................................... 34 2.3.1 Letter to the Romans ....................................................................................................................... 35 2.3.2 Letter to the Galatians ..................................................................................................................... 37 2.3.3 Letter to the Colossians ................................................................................................................... 39 2.4 Baptism in the first letter of Peter .................................................................................... 40 2.5 Summary of New Testament texts .................................................................................... 42 2.5.1 In the Gospels ................................................................................................................................. 42 2.5.2 In the Acts of the Apostles .............................................................................................................. 43 2.5.3 In the theology of Paul .................................................................................................................... 44 2.5.4 In the theology of Peter ................................................................................................................... 44 2.6 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 45 BAPTISM IN THE SECOND CENTURY .................................................. 48 3.1 The Didaché or “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” .................................................. 49 3.2 Barnabas’ Letter ................................................................................................................ 52 3.3 The Shepherd of Hermas ................................................................................................... 55 3.4 Ignatius of Antioch ............................................................................................................. 58 3.5 Justin Martyr...................................................................................................................... 59 3.6 Irenaeus of Lyons ............................................................................................................... 63 3.7 Summary of the baptism in the second century .............................................................. 68 3.7.1 Didaché or “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” ....................................................................... 68 3.7.2 Epistle of Barnabas ......................................................................................................................... 69 3.7.3 The Shepherd of Hermas ................................................................................................................
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