The Ancient Church Fathers On Infant Baptism

Those who say sprinkling and infant baptism are not legitimate are saying the following: “The ancient fathers, the noble martyrs, the great reformers – devoted and Christ-like men such as Knox, Wesley, McCheyne, Edwards, Whitefield –were, according to the immersion theory, never baptized, never a part of the Church of Christ on earth, and they never partook of the Lord’s Supper without profaning it.” – By Rev. W.A. McKay 1881 Pastor of Chalmers’ Church, Woodstock, Ontario

The logic of this theory (immersion) as declared by its friends is this: Outside of this theory there is no baptism, no Lord’s Supper, no Christian ministry, no Christian church – and, by the same inexorable logic, no Christian man. – James W. Dale, DD in “Christic Baptism.” P. 21

Irenaeus (130-202 A.D.) Irenaeus was born in Smyrna where Polycarp was bishop until burned alive at age 87 in 167 A.D. Irenaeus was 37 at the time of the burning. Polycarp was in his teens when the Apostle John was still the overseer of the seven churches of Asia, which included Smyrna. Irenaeus believed infants were sanctified in baptism. This is evidence that infant baptism was practiced from the days of the apostles.

            "He [Jesus] came to save all through himself; all, I say, who through him are reborn in God: infants, and children, and youths, and old men. Therefore he passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying infants; a child for children, sanctifying those who are of that age . . . [so that] he might be the perfect teacher in all things, perfect not only in respect to the setting forth of truth, perfect also in respect to relative age" (Against Heresies 2:22:4 [A.D. 189]). 

Hippolytus (215 A.D.) And they shall baptize the little children first. And if they can answer for themselves, let them answer. But if they cannot, let their parents answer or someone from their family. And next they shall baptism the grown men; and last the women. (Apostolic Tradition 21.3-5)

Origen (248 A.D.) "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" (Homilies on Leviticus 8:3 [A.D. 248]). 

Cyprian of Carthage (253A.D.)

"As to what pertains to the case of infants: You [Fidus] said that they ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, that the old law of circumcision must be taken into consideration, and that you did not think that one should be baptized and sanctified within the eighth day after his birth. In our council it seemed to us far otherwise. No one agreed to the course which you thought should be taken. Rather, we all judge that the mercy and grace of God ought to be denied to no man born" (Letters 64:2 [A.D. 253]).