Customer Reviews

Baptism in the Early Church: History, Theology, and Liturgy in the First Five Centuries

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From the jacket:

"This magisterial study is a comprehensive survey of the doctrine and practice of baptism in the first five centuries of Christian history, arranged geographically within chronological periods. ... The book deals primarily with with the literary sources, though it also gives attention to depictions of baptism, (primarily of Jesus)in various art forms and to the surviving baptismal fonts.

Ferguson's thorough study points to the central importance of baptism in the early church. Many blessings were attributed to baptism, but the two earliest and most consistently mentioned are forgiveness of sins and the reception of the Holy Spirit; faith and repentance were necessary in order to receive these benefits. ... full immersion was the normal practice, and the evidence from art is consistent with this interpretation."

This work is massive and detailed and divided into seven parts:

Antecedents to Christian baptism
Baptism in the New Testament
Baptism in the second century
Baptism in the third century up until Nicea (325 A.D.)
The fourth century
The fifth century
Baptisteries

Ferguson's discussion of Gregory of Nazianzus's famous Orations on baptism circa A.D. 380 support the conclusions of the jacket cover: baptism was often delayed until adolescence or adulthood or later. Gregory urges congregants not to put off baptism and most typically refers to it as "regeneration." The penultimate chapter discusses Augustine of Hippo's baptismal practices and theology. Augustine himself presided as bishop of Hippo in the Basilica of Peace between 411 and 430 A.D. Archaeological finds uncovered the basilica's baptistery revealing a baptismal pool some three feet deep and somewhat broader and wider. The process whereby the catechumens at Hippo were to be baptized on Easter are elaborately detailed by Ferguson based on Augustine's own writings. One question is whether or not the catechumens at Hippo were fully immersed. Augustine does not say in his many comments about the baptismal procedure at Hippo, but Ferguson contends Augustine had full immersion in mind. (Some think the baptismal pool not deep enough for full immersion while others contend Augustine had the catechumens wade into the pool to show humility and then kneel for baptism.) Ferguson argues that by "baptismus/baptizare" Augustine referred to the inner purification by Christ whereas "tinctio/intinguere" referred to the physical act of baptism itself. Augustine even uses the word "submersio" and so presumably practiced full immersion according to Ferguson. Important to note that Augustine did consider catechumens to be Christians before baptism, though they were not full members of the Church Catholic. Infant baptism, although not yet the norm in Christian North Africa, was common enough, especially for emergency baptisms. There are hardly any references to the baptism of healthy infants. The ritual for infants was basically the same as for adults. The infants were exorcized, validating Augustine's view of infants being stained with original sin. Adults would then speak the renunciation [of satan] and the profession of faith. "What infants were not yet able to do through their own faith was done for them by those who love them." Augustine resorted to the faith of others to justify the baptism of infants. In "On the Literal Interpretation of Genesis" Augustine states that baptism absolves infants from the punishment of original sin, "so it is right and proper to baptize them." Infants were then immersed in the same way as adults and then received an anointing(chrismation)and a laying on of hands (consignation). Afterwards they participated in the baptismal eucharist, receiving both the bread and the wine. Sermon 174 states "infants are members of Christ and receive the sacraments, including sharing in His table." And so, with Gregory in the East and Augustine in the West - during the Pelagian controversy - infant baptism became the norm for the early church some time in the fifth century.

An extremely detailed an invaluable resource, though clearly not without biases given that many would argue infant baptism was normative at a much earlier time in the Church's history. Biases notwithstanding Ferguson's assertions are well documented and he is conversant with the secondary literature.

A very thorough and detailed examination of the practice of Baptism using the the available documents. These include all the documents that have been discovered to the present. The book is divided into sections dealing with each century. Also provided are the pertinent archeolgical discoveries including Jewish and Christian. It is useful not only to the professional but to the lay person as well.

This volume includes extensive details and documentation on baptismal practice reflected in the literature of antiquity as well as existing baptismal fonts with numerous photos. This book is essential to anyone interested in baptismal liturgy and especially those formulating revisions to current practice seeking a return to early Christian roots.

This has to be the best book I have yet to find that discusses baptism in a comprehendible way. There is nothing short on material in this book!!!

The book addresses in great detail the nature and purpose of immersion in the NT church according to the scripture, and shapes the differences between NT immersion and the washings of Judaism, Jewish sects, and other teachings.
It is then arranged by century to show development of doctrine and practice.
Once you have read it...I strongly encourage the reader to begin with the last section (5th century) and work your way backwards...the influence on your thought will be significant as you move closer toward the 1st century and then to the scriptures themselves...sifting the word of man from the word of God...the most difficult thing for people to do at almost any time.
If translators would properly translate the Greek word to begin with, there might be less debate about a lot of related issues.

This is another serious book from Everett Ferguson made available to any serious student willing to put out the effort to better understand Christianity today from the perspective of christian thinking in the early church. Using quotes from the earliest christian documents and tracing through early centuries of the thinking of early Christians, Ferguson shows the differences between what they thought and practiced from what is done today in the name of Christianity. If you believe that man could have made a mess of God's pure plan for the church over time you only have to read the evidence of such corruption in books by Everett Ferguson.

Book was sent promptly, packaged well, in perfect condition and all done well before the promised date! Awesome Job!