Baptism

In the Roman catacomb of Priscilla is reference to a private emergency
baptism that was administered to the one-and-three-quarter-year-old
Apronianus and enabled him to die as a believer. The inscription reads:
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“Dedicated to the departed Florentius made this inscription for his worthy son
Apronianus who lived one year and nine months and five days. As he was
truly loved by his grandmother and she knew that his death was imminent,
she asked the church that he might depart from, the world as a believer. “
(ILCV I:1343, from the third century; edited by E. Diehl (second edition;
Berlin, 1961))
“Postumius Eutenion, a believer, who obtained holy grace the day before his
birthday at a very late hour and died. He lived six years and was buried on the
fifth of Ides of July on the day of Jupiter on which he was born. His soul is
with the saints in peace. Felicissimus, Eutheria, and Festa his grandmother to
their worthy son Postumius.” (ILCV I:1524, from the early fourth century)
“Sweet Tyche lived one year, ten months, fifteen days, Received [grace] on
the eighth day before the Kalends. Gave up [her soul] on the same day.”
(Inscriptiones latinae christianae veteres, Vol. I number 1531)
“Irene who lived with her parents ten months and six days received [grace]
seven days before the Ides of April and gave up [her soul] on the Ides of
April.” (ILCV I:1532)
“To Proiecto, neophyte infant, who lived two years seven months.” (ILCV
I:1484)
Thus early Fathers and their documents confirm the Apostolic Tradition of
Infant baptism.
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