Baptism and Baptismal Regeneration

by Archibald Boyd

A classic on the the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, its history and significance in the life of the Church and the believer.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1850

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boyd's treatise on Baptism and baptismal regeneration is an excellent introduction to the subject. This book might be little known but for its being mentioned in Ray Sutton's "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered". In fact, Boyd's work underlies that of Sutton, who fleshes out in greater detail many of Boyd's discussions. Boyd was, himself, quite the controversialist in his day, writing extensively in defence of the Church of Ireland against the Presbyterians. This book, although written later in Boyd's career, addresses many of the Presbyterian accusations against and critiques of the Prayer Book and its baptismal office. Boyd also addresses the criticism of infant baptism raised by the "credobaptists" who were on the rise in the 19th Century.

Boyd does an excellent job of demonstrating the soundly biblical nature of the Anglican baptismal office and of the effects and benefits of baptism, especially discussing at some length the proper and biblical understanding of baptism regeneration—a concept condemned by many in his day (and ours) due not so much to a difference in doctrine, but to the evolving meaning of the term "regeneration". Boyd closes the book with an excellent discussion of the Reformers and their understanding of the subject.

Ray Sutton's "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered" is more detailed and addresses many of the same issues framed in a contemporary context, but Boyd may be more accessible for laymen. The book is shorter, Boyd's trains of logic are somewhat shorter and simpler than Sutton's, and Boyd is not nearly as technical.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An imminently readable defense of the Anglican view of baptism. Definitely deserving a place among the classics of Anglican sacramental theology.