Dimensions of Baptism Biblical and Theological Studies

198 Dimensions of Baptism

'weak in physical strength, feeble in wit, immature in wisdom'—over any

other age. Otherwise why did Jesus choose adult apostles? 'Therefore not

childhood but goodness rivalling a child's simplicity is indicated', as Jesus

himself made clear, 'Unless you are converted and become like this

child...' (Mt. 18.3). 'So there is in childhood a kind of venerable old age

of behaviour, and in old age an innocent childhood', for which he adduces

Wis. 4.8-9. Ambrose continues at length, in praise of 'childlike simplic-

ity'.^33 Nor does any baptismal reference emerge in his two other treat-

ments of the Gospel verses. On Ps. 36.25, 'I was young and I grew old',

Mt. 19.14 with 18.3 show that Christ himself taught that 'childhood (pue-

ritiam, here perhaps "boyhood") is strength'. The Latin word is virtutem,

but in the context, in which Ambrose introduces the 'athlete' of Christ, 'and

athletes are called/?werf, Greek Trcu5as, vigour seems intended more than

virtue. The precise nuance need not concern the present enquiry overmuch.^34

Ambrose's third usage introduces a new note in relating Mt. 19.13-15 to

the preceding w. 10-12 on eunuchs. They were followed by the bringing

of children for blessing because these were ignorant of corruption and in

their spotless age had preserved their natural integrity. 'For of such is the

kingdom of heaven—that is, those who have returned to childlike chastity

...as though to the condition of infants.'^35 Basil of Caesarea adduces

Jesus' acceptance of young children brought to him, together with 2 Tim.

3.15 ('From a child you have known...') and Eph. 6.4 ('bring up your

children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord'), to support his

judgment that 'every time, even of the first stage of life, is appropriate for

those who come forward for acceptance' into the monastic calling. Basil

surrounds this counsel, which appears in different versions of his monastic

rules, with safeguards on parental involvement, but how such infant con-

secration might relate to infant baptism is never clarified.^36 1 have else-

where raised questions which merit further investigation about the different

33. Ambrose, Expos, evang. sec. Lucam 8.57-61, ad loc. (ed. M Adriaen; CCSL,
    14; Turnhout: Brepols, 1957), pp. 319-21.


34. Ambrose, Explanatio Psalmorum XII 36.52 (ed. M. Petschenig; CSEL, 64;
    Vienna: F. Tempsky; Leipzig: G. Freytag, 1919), pp. 110-11.


35. Ambrose, Virginity 30, in Franco Gori (ed.), Sant'Ambrogio, Opere morali Il.ii
    (Milan: Biblioteca Ambrosiana, 1989), pp. 32-35.


36. Basil, Regulae morales 19 (PG, xxxi, col. 733), Asceticon magnum, quaest. 15,
    292 (PG 9 xxxi, cols. 952, 1287); Regula 7.1-2 (in Rufinus's Latin) (ed. Klaus Zelzer;
    CSEL, 86; Vienna: Hoelder-Pichler-Tempsky, 1986), pp. 38-39.