A Plain and Scriptural View of Baptism

by Daniel Baker

Genres: Theology

73 pages, Hardcover

Published January 30, 2024

Reviews

[Sem · Rating 5 out of 5]

All who ardently say that infant baptism is not in Scripture, please take a little time out of your day to read this book. If it will not change your mind, at least it will make you respect the paedobaptist view on the subject.

I really appreciate Baker’s attempts to work out his arguments whilst keeping an eye on the importance of unity in the non-essentials. Baptism is an essential matter, but the proper subjects of baptism and the mode by which this is to be performed are not essential. Making one specific group of subjects or one specific mode the only acceptable option, thereby rejecting all other perspectives and, thus, excluding a number of people from a sacrament like the Lord’s Supper, Baker argues that doing so goes against the God of the Bible. As infant baptism and baptism performed by sprinkling or pouring are at least as Scriptural and historically reliable as (and possibly even more than) believer’s baptism or baptism by immersion, for the sake of unity and respect, it would be fair to be less quick to exclude this group of people from full communion in the church.

Baker concludes fittingly with, “O happy world! where Christians of every communion shall see “eye to eye,” where they shall form one blessed family of love; and where, without a discordant note, they shall unite in one sweet song of praise; and with thrilling rapture shout, and through everlasting ages shout, “Unto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his father - unto him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Even so, come Lord Jesus, come quickly!”

[Colton Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great concise articulation. You can tell the historical setting he was writing in (in the wake of the 2nd Great Awakening) since both the identity of worthy receivers of the sacrament and the proper mode of administration are considered.

[Baila Milliken · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on paedo baptism I’ve ever read. Gentle yet gives very irrefutable arguments!

[Ty Brunet · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best and concise presentation of Covenant Baptism.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fine treatment, dealing with both the subjects and the mode of baptism. It is a distinctly Presbyterian treatment of the subjects. Winsomely argued in the language of the 19th century. Highly recommended.

[Kelle Craft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. May all those opposed take up, read, be challenged, and edified by the proper scriptural view of baptism.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Good discussion of subject and mode in baptism. Both parts are good; the first section on subject is particularly strong.

[Miles Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baker's comprehensive nuking of "beleiver's baptism" and "immersion" is still one of the best treatments on the subject.