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new Section Earliest historical mention of infant baptism: A.D. 185
Branches of [[Christianity]] that practice infant baptism include [[Catholic Church|Catholics]], [[Orthodox Church|Eastern and Oriental Orthodox]], and among [[Protestantism|Protestants]], several [[denomination]]s: [[Anglican Communion|Anglicans]], [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], [[Presbyterian]]s, [[Congregationalism|Congregationalists]] and other [[Reformed Churches|Reformed denominations]], [[Methodism|Methodist]]s and some [[Church of the Nazarene|Nazarenes]], and the Moravian Church. For [[Presbyterian]]s, Baptism is a sacrament, seal, and outward symbol of “inward grace”, which also grants membership into the Christian community. The [[Unitarianism|Oneness Groups]] believe that baptism is a requirement for [[salvation]]. Both Oneness and [[Trinity|Trinitarian]] [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]] use full immersion and do not practice infant baptism.
Branches of [[Christianity]] that practice infant baptism include [[Catholic Church|Catholics]], [[Orthodox Church|Eastern and Oriental Orthodox]], and among [[Protestantism|Protestants]], several [[denomination]]s: [[Anglican Communion|Anglicans]], [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], [[Presbyterian]]s, [[Congregationalism|Congregationalists]] and other [[Reformed Churches|Reformed denominations]], [[Methodism|Methodist]]s and some [[Church of the Nazarene|Nazarenes]], and the Moravian Church. For [[Presbyterian]]s, Baptism is a sacrament, seal, and outward symbol of “inward grace”, which also grants membership into the Christian community. The [[Unitarianism|Oneness Groups]] believe that baptism is a requirement for [[salvation]]. Both Oneness and [[Trinity|Trinitarian]] [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]] use full immersion and do not practice infant baptism.
==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''.</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>)
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]]}}
The Greek New Testament word for "man" here is '''τις''' ''tis'' "anyone".<ref>See [http://biblehub.com/greek/5100.htm Strong's number ''5100''. '''τις''' ''tis'' "''some'' or ''any'' person or object:— any ''one''.]</ref>
See [http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/3-5.htm interlinear text of John 3:5]. No human being is excluded. Age is not mentioned.
==Controversy based on interpretations of Scripture==
==Controversy based on interpretations of Scripture==