“He came to save all through Himself; all, I say, who through Him are reborn in God: infants, and children, and youths, and old men. Therefore He passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying infants; a child for children, sanctifying those who are of that age… so that He might be the perfect teacher in all things.”
— Irenaeus (c. 180)
Against Heresies, Book 2, Chapter 22, Paragraph 4
“Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so. Otherwise, let their parents or other relatives speak for them.”
— Hippolytus (c. 215)
The Apostolic Tradition, Chapter 21
“If even to the greatest sinners remission of sins is granted… how much rather ought we to shrink from hindering an infant… who approaches more easily to the reception of the forgiveness of sins.”
— Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
Letters, 58.5
“Do you also baptize your infants, and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of God. For He says: Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not.”
— Apostolic Constitutions (c. 390)
Book 6, Paragraph 15
