This week in Christian history: Infant baptism debate, St. Anthony dies

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, January 16, 2022

Zurich holds debate over infant baptism – Jan. 17, 1525

A ninth century book cover depicting the baptism of King Clovis, believed to have occurred on Christmas Day, AD 496. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when officials in Zurich, Switzerland, held a public debate over whether infant baptism was a valid practice that should be required of families.

The Zurich City Council held the public debate in response to a local family’s decision to not baptize their baby, even though local officials demanded that they must.

“The people's representatives listened to both sides and voted for baby baptism,” noted Christianity.com. “The Council ordered that the ‘radicals’ must no longer meet together, or teach their opinions to others and that all families must baptize their children within eight days or leave Zurich.”

“The Anabaptists obeyed the Zurich council and moved out of town. They started their own church, completely free of state ties, and preached to others.”