Did the Early Church Baptize Infants?

by Kurt Aland

Though Joachim Jeremias' 'Infant Baptism in the First Four Centuries' was originally published in 1938, an English translation did not appear until 1960 (based on the revised German edition of 1958). In 1961, Kurt Aland published his response to Jeremias' assertions. This English translation of 'Die Sauglingstaufe im Neuen Testament und in der alten Kirche' originally appeared in 1963. In this point by point refutation of Jeremias' main contentions, Aland insists that there is no direct evidence of infant baptism prior to the third century.

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Austin Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Jeremias and Aland’s two books in one sitting so that I could evaluate the arguments and counter arguments effectively.

Some of Jeremias’ arguments are intriguing, some implausible, some laughable. Aland responds ably, but includes a strange epilogue leaving the door open to infant baptism after refuting its existence in the New Testament or apostolic church.

Aland seems to handle the evidence more responsibly overall and thus comes out on top