St. Cyprian on infant baptism

St. Cyprian on infant baptism October 18, 2010
 I am a big proponent of infant baptism. I know many of our readers are not. Since my first child was born last week I thought this week would be a good one to highlight this quote by St. Cyprian and hopefully engage in conversation with anyone who would like to talk about the issue. Let me know what you think

“In respect of the case of infants, which you say ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after birth, and that the law of ancient circumcision should be regarded, so that you think that one who is just born should not be baptized and sanctified within the eighth day, we all thought very differently in our council. For in this course which you thought was to be taken, no one agreed; but we all rather judge that the mercy and grace of God is not to be refused to any one born of man… Spiritual circumcision ought not to be hindered by carnal circumcision… we ought to shrink from hindering an infant, who, being lately born, has not sinned, except in that, being born after the flesh according to Adam, he has contracted the contagion of the ancient death at its earliest birth, who approaches the more easily on this very account to the reception of the forgiveness of sins – that to him are remitted, not his own sins, but the sins of another”

St. Cyprian of Carthage in Letter 58 to Fidus.


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