Pedobaptism vs Credobaptism: The Early Church

Were The Early Church Pedobaptists or Credobaptists?

A common topic of discussion among Christians is the topic of Credobaptism and Pedobaptism. Credobaptism is the belief that those who have faith in Jesus can become baptized while Pedobaptism states that infants can be baptized as well, even if they do not exhibit faith of their own. To break down which perspective is more likely to be true, we can look at the early church and examine what they had said on the topic. 

"Being thirty years old when He came to be baptized, and then possessing the full age of a Master, He came to Jerusalem, so that He might be properly acknowledged by all as a Master. ... Being a Master, therefore, He also possessed the age of a Master, not despising or evading any condition of humanity, nor setting aside in Himself that law which He had appointed for the human race, but sanctifying every age, by that period corresponding to it which belonged to Himself. For He came to save all through means of Himself — all, I say, who through Him are born again to God — infants, and children, and boys, and youths, and old men. He therefore passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, thus sanctifying infants; a child for children, thus sanctifying those who are of this age, being at the same time made to them an example of piety, righteousness, and submission; a youth for youths, becoming an example to youths, and thus sanctifying them for the Lord," (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 2:22:4). Irenaeus, born around 120-140 AD, tells us Christ too sanctifies infants. To sanctify is to cleanse, and baptism acts as a cleansing. As Luke writes: "Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name," (Acts 22:16 NASB1995). Also read: 1 Corinthians 6:11 & Ephesians 5:25-26.

Origen, born in the second century, also writes: "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). It is to be noted that Origen is considered by many as a heretic; even so, Origen is referencing the tradition around him that is baptizing infants, not his specific opinion on the matter.

Hippolytus, born in the second century, writes: "They shall remove their clothing. And first baptize the little ones; if they can speak for themselves, they shall do so; if not, their parents or other relatives shall speak for them," (The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus part 2, 21:3-4). Hippolytus tells us children should be baptized, even those who are not able to speak, likely referring to those who are so young they can not yet speak.

Based on these quotes, it seems many of the early church were pedobaptists. I have done great research researching for a credobaptist but with no success. 

References:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Saint Hippolytus of Rome". Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Jan. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Hippolytus-of-Rome. Accessed 1 March 2024.

Chadwick, Henry. "Origen". Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Jan. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Origen. Accessed 1 March 2024.

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“The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus.” Translated by Burton  Scott Easton, The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus Translated into English with Introduction and Notes, Gutenberg, 14 Mar. 2020, www.gutenberg.org/files/61614/61614-h/61614-h.htm.

Translated by Alexander Roberts and William Rambaut. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103222.htm>.

Wingren, Gustaf. "St. Irenaeus". Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Dec. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Irenaeus. Accessed 1 March 2024.