Ante-Nicene Fathers (Volume 3) - XXXIII - On baptism

Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Volume 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'On baptism'.

My summary
Today Tertullian teaches us about baptism.

We learn about:
(i) why water is used (creation allusions);
(ii) the heathen use of water in religious rites;
(iii) the Holy Spirit's relation to baptism;
(iv) unction and laying on of hands;
(v) the importance of water in the Old Testament;
(vi) John's baptism;
(vii) Jesus' not baptising;
(viii) baptism and salvation;
(ix) Paul's view on baptism;
(x) Jewish baptism;
(xi) baptism of blood;
(xii) whom should be baptising;
(xiii) when we should baptise;
(xiv) preparation for baptism.

What grabbed me
As a Baptist, I did appreciate Tertullian's view on the baptism of infants: ' And so, according to the circumstances and disposition, and even age, of each individual, the delay of baptism is preferable; principally, however, in the case of little children. For why is it necessary—if (baptism itself) is not so necessary—that the sponsors likewise should be thrust into danger? Who both themselves, by reason of mortality, may fail to fulfil their promises, and may be disappointed by the development of an evil disposition, in those for whom they stood? The Lord does indeed say, “Forbid them not to come unto me.” Let them “come,” then, while they are growing up; let them “come” while they are learning, while they are learning whither 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?” More caution will be exercised in worldly matters: so that one who is not trusted with earthly substance is trusted with divine! Let them know how to “ask” for salvation, that you may seem (at least) to have given “to him that asketh.” For no less cause must the unwedded also be deferred—in whom the ground of temptation is prepared, alike in such as never were wedded by means of their maturity, and in the widowed by means of their freedom—until they either marry, or else be more fully strengthened for continence. If any understand the weighty import of baptism, they will fear its reception more than its delay: sound faith is secure of salvation. '

Amen!

Next week's reading
Read 'On prayer'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.