This book presents a historical analysis of primary sources concerning the existing information on the practice of baptism in the first four centuries of Christian church history. It begins with the Apostolic Fathers (including the Didache), moving through Justin, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and including lesser-known figures such as Novatian, Hippolytus, Ambrose, Chrysostom, up to an evaluation of inscriptions on Christian tombs and early Christian art that reference the rite of baptism. The authors expose the context with specific quotes that shed important light on the subject and critique the decontextualized misuse of literary fragments, while providing a better understanding of the available information on baptism up to the fourth century. This study shows a present correlation of the practice of baptism with the professed faith expressed in believer's baptisms and the gradual inclusion of infant baptism for various reasons.
Pages: 120 Dimensions: 21.5 x 13.9 cm ISBN: 9789942605115
