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revised Tertullian ref note into a section of the body of the article
==Earliest historical mention of infant baptism: A.D. 185==
==Earliest historical mention of infant baptism: A.D. 185==
The earliest explicit mention of infant baptism is found A.D. 185 in [[Irenaeus]], ''Against Heresies'', Book II, Chapter 22:4. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103222.htm Against Heresies (Book II, Chapter 22) - Catholic Encyclopedia (newadvent.org)] ''scroll down to paragraph 4''.<br>The next earliest mention of infant baptism is A.D. 220 [[Tertullian]], ''On Baptism''. <br>See the article [http://shamelesspopery.com/does-tertullian-reject-infant-baptism/ Does Tertullian Reject Infant Baptism? Joe Heschmeyer - Shameless Popery (shamelesspopery.com)] —''a critical clarification of the context of Tertullian's treatise.''<br>See the text: [http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0321.htm Tertullian: On Baptism (newadvent.org)]</ref>
The earliest explicit mention of infant baptism is found A.D. 185 in [[Irenaeus]], ''Against Heresies'', Book II, Chapter 22:4. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103222.htm Against Heresies (Book II, Chapter 22) - Catholic Encyclopedia (newadvent.org)] ''scroll down to paragraph 4''.</ref>
:"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." (<small>''boldface emphasis added''</small>)
:"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." (<small>''boldface emphasis added''</small>)
This is a direct reference to John 3:3-5:{{cquote|<sup>3</sup> Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.<br><sup>4</sup> Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?<br><sup>5</sup> Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and ''of'' the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. <br>—[[King James Bible]]}}
This is a direct reference to John 3:3-5:{{cquote|<sup>3</sup> Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.<br><sup>4</sup> Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?<br><sup>5</sup> Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and ''of'' the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. <br>—[[King James Bible]]}}
See [http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/3-5.htm interlinear text of John 3:5]. No human being is excluded. Age is not mentioned.
See [http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/3-5.htm interlinear text of John 3:5]. No human being is excluded. Age is not mentioned.
==Tertullian, '' On Baptism'': A.D. 200==
The next earliest mention of infant baptism is A.D. 200 [[Tertullian]], in his [[treatise]] ''On Baptism''. The very first words of ''On Baptism'' show the doctrine of "regenerative baptism"
:“Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life!” <ref>See the article [http://shamelesspopery.com/does-tertullian-reject-infant-baptism/ Does Tertullian Reject Infant Baptism? Joe Heschmeyer - Shameless Popery (shamelesspopery.com)] —''a critical clarification of the context of Tertullian's treatise.''<br>See the text: [http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0321.htm Tertullian: On Baptism (newadvent.org)]</ref>
His treatise on baptism shows that infant baptism is a practice accepted in the early church. Tertullian does not denounce the practice but urges that the sacrament be delayed until after the period of innocence, and even much later, even in the case of adults, especially the young and unmarried, and elders, because of the danger of committing a mortal sin, which some at that time believe cannot be forgiven, based on their particular controversial interpretation of Hebrews 6:4-6. Not everyone agrees with him, that baptism is best delayed, based on their belief that baptism actually cleanses the soul, washing away sins.{{cquote|For ''it is'' impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost [baptism],<br>And have tasted the good word of God [Eucharist], and the powers of the world to come [Confirmation],<br>If they shall fall away [Apostasy]], to renew them again unto repentance [Confession]; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.<br>—Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV)}}The controversial opinion of some that ''no mortal sin can ever be forgiven'' was rejected in the condemnation of the heresy of Novatianism, in favor of the Catholic doctrine that there is no sin that cannot be forgiven by Christ in the [[Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation|sacrament of confession]] before death.<ref>See [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_john/5-16.htm 1 John 5:16.]</ref>
==Controversy based on interpretations of Scripture==
==Controversy based on interpretations of Scripture==