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I Will Build My Church
Few pastors leave as indelible a legacy as Thomas Witherow did in the north of Ireland during the second half of the nineteenth century. A faithful minister, husband, father, author, and professor, Witherow’s defense of Presbyterianism remains one of the most influential of its kind.
Collecting Witherow’s most important works on the topic—The Apostolic Church, Scriptural Baptism, and The Sabbath—this volume presents a cohesive, trenchant, and imitable apology for the Presbyterian tradition. Preceding the three works is A Prince of Irish Presbyterianism, a new and illuminating biography of Witherow by volume editor Jonathan Gibson.
Collecting Witherow’s most important works on the topic—The Apostolic Church, Scriptural Baptism, and The Sabbath—this volume presents a cohesive, trenchant, and imitable apology for the Presbyterian tradition. Preceding the three works is A Prince of Irish Presbyterianism, a new and illuminating biography of Witherow by volume editor Jonathan Gibson.
277 pages, Hardcover
Published January 29, 2022
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April 8, 2023
This volume consists of a biographical introduction to Thomas Witherow followed by three short works by the nineteenth-century Irish Presbyterian author, The Apostolic Church, Scriptural Baptism, and The Sabbath - Not a Church Holiday.
The Apostolic Church makes a good case for the general principles of Presbyterian church polity being founded on and agreeable to the word of God. Witherow tends, however, only to present alternative views of church government according to their weakest formulations. Hence, those who adhere to either Independent or Episcopal forms of church government will come away from reading him thinking that his critiques are often not relevant to what they believe.
Witherow also makes a significant blunder when he fails to recognise the substantial doctrinal continuity between the 39 Articles and the Westminster Confession. It is also noteworthy that Witherow takes a two-office view (elders and deacons) rather than a three-office position (ministers, ruling elders, and deacons). This approach does little justice to 1 Timothy 5:17 and appears irreconcilable with the Westminster Confession's view of the ministry.
The book on baptism provides a succinct, clearly argued case against the exclusive claims for baptism by immersion and makes a strong positive case for infant baptism. Interestingly, however, Witherow concedes that immersion is not wrong and that both Anglican and Presbyterian churches allow for it. The cumulative case that he makes for infant baptism from the covenant of grace, the nature of the church, the link with circumcision, Christ's view of children, the Great Commission, the federal holiness of believers' children, and household baptism reveals the anti-paedobaptist case to be theologically bankrupt. Witherow also made a very strong argument for Christian Sabbath observance and paedobaptism standing or falling together.
Speaking of which, the short work on the Sabbath is stylistically quite similar to the book on baptism and makes an equally strong case for keeping the Lord's Day as a day for worship, not leisure or business. Witherow goes so far as to maintain that anti-Sabbatarianism leads to oppression, and, in my experience, he is entirely correct. While the Sabbatarian view superficially appears to be more restrictive, it is actually very liberating, as you realise that you do not need to be burdened with religious busyness seven days a week.
I did think that the biography at the beginning was far too long and overly reliant upon Witherow's autobiography to be of much value as an objective work of history. As a rule, I do not like lengthy introductions to reprints of historical works because they are keeping me from getting to what I really want to read. Still, that point is just my personal opinion.
The Apostolic Church makes a good case for the general principles of Presbyterian church polity being founded on and agreeable to the word of God. Witherow tends, however, only to present alternative views of church government according to their weakest formulations. Hence, those who adhere to either Independent or Episcopal forms of church government will come away from reading him thinking that his critiques are often not relevant to what they believe.
Witherow also makes a significant blunder when he fails to recognise the substantial doctrinal continuity between the 39 Articles and the Westminster Confession. It is also noteworthy that Witherow takes a two-office view (elders and deacons) rather than a three-office position (ministers, ruling elders, and deacons). This approach does little justice to 1 Timothy 5:17 and appears irreconcilable with the Westminster Confession's view of the ministry.
The book on baptism provides a succinct, clearly argued case against the exclusive claims for baptism by immersion and makes a strong positive case for infant baptism. Interestingly, however, Witherow concedes that immersion is not wrong and that both Anglican and Presbyterian churches allow for it. The cumulative case that he makes for infant baptism from the covenant of grace, the nature of the church, the link with circumcision, Christ's view of children, the Great Commission, the federal holiness of believers' children, and household baptism reveals the anti-paedobaptist case to be theologically bankrupt. Witherow also made a very strong argument for Christian Sabbath observance and paedobaptism standing or falling together.
Speaking of which, the short work on the Sabbath is stylistically quite similar to the book on baptism and makes an equally strong case for keeping the Lord's Day as a day for worship, not leisure or business. Witherow goes so far as to maintain that anti-Sabbatarianism leads to oppression, and, in my experience, he is entirely correct. While the Sabbatarian view superficially appears to be more restrictive, it is actually very liberating, as you realise that you do not need to be burdened with religious busyness seven days a week.
I did think that the biography at the beginning was far too long and overly reliant upon Witherow's autobiography to be of much value as an objective work of history. As a rule, I do not like lengthy introductions to reprints of historical works because they are keeping me from getting to what I really want to read. Still, that point is just my personal opinion.
February 12, 2024
I was pretty sure I would become a Presbyterian when I bought this. Sure enough.
Witherow's prose is clear. His critique of the credobaptistic (Anabaptist) position is generous but devastating. His defense of the Christian Sabbath is well articulated, and his predictions for a culture that gives it up have come true. He excels at summing up his arguments.
I have been surprised by how many modern Presbyterians seem almost apologetic for their polity. Witherow offers a counter apology and very ably demonstrates Presbyterianism to be the most clearly Apostolic polity available to us today.
When I became convinced of Presbyterianism, I had a deep sense that it was *right*. Witherow has shown me that it is also beautiful, satisfying, and comforting.
Witherow's prose is clear. His critique of the credobaptistic (Anabaptist) position is generous but devastating. His defense of the Christian Sabbath is well articulated, and his predictions for a culture that gives it up have come true. He excels at summing up his arguments.
I have been surprised by how many modern Presbyterians seem almost apologetic for their polity. Witherow offers a counter apology and very ably demonstrates Presbyterianism to be the most clearly Apostolic polity available to us today.
When I became convinced of Presbyterianism, I had a deep sense that it was *right*. Witherow has shown me that it is also beautiful, satisfying, and comforting.
May 8, 2025
“Now, the gatekeeper was an Anabaptist.”
October 12, 2023
Very good book so it is, section on baptism real good
June 26, 2022
Excellent intro to Presbyterian polity, paedobaptism, and the perpetuity of the Sabbath. My only criticism is some of the early comments on the Sabbath were off, e.g. that it is no longer to have civil penalties attached to it.
February 21, 2023
Super clear. Scripturally saturated. Incisive. Penetrating. Author from very near where I was born and brought up. Tremendous book that strengthened my already strong convictions on these three Presbyterian distinctives. Glorious! Warmly recommended!
March 14, 2022
Who is Thomas Witherow? Edited by Jonathan Gibson, this book introduces you to the influential nineteenth-century Irish Presbyterian minister and professor. Gibson uses the first 75 pages of this book to write an interesting and engaging biography. I found it to be fascinating and compelling.
Providence, Publishing, and Productivity
I was most moved to read Witherow’s story of salvation, and how it intertwined with his education. God’s providence is found all over his life. There was excitement in publishing tracts, and sorrows with the passings of his wife and children. Yet Witherow remained productive, and his faith remained intact.
The remaining two-thirds of the book are dedicated to The Presbyterian Distinctives of Thomas Witherow. This section includes his works on The Apostolic Church, Scriptural Baptism, and The Sabbath. With cohesive and clear writing, they remain convincing and influential.
The Apostolic Church and Scriptural Baptism
Witherow Biblically defines the church to be an assembly of the people of God -- a society of Christians. While a plurality of elders is stressed, he is also sure to keep Christ as the head. Pulpit exposition and private instruction are the means by which the Word is to be planted. Witherow is concise, yet practical.
Considering texts like Matthew 3:11, as well as various passages in Acts, Witherow sees the connection between water baptism and baptism by the Spirit. He claims that by going off of Scripture alone, the only mode of baptism that can be proved by it is that of putting water upon the person.
The Sabbath as a Divine Ordinance
Seeing the Sabbath as a divine ordinance has several practical applications. First, it must be guarded and dedicated. Second, it should be spent at church and in the home. To be with God’s family and our earthly families are good things. Third, there should still be joy. It is a day for rest as well as for rejoicing.
An educated and published man, this pastor and professor loved the church. He sought to teach truth and stay supported by Scripture. He wrote with clarity and conviction. This book leaves a legacy for Presbyterians, and a beautiful encouragement for all believers.
I received a media copy of I Will Build My Church and this is my honest review.
Providence, Publishing, and Productivity
I was most moved to read Witherow’s story of salvation, and how it intertwined with his education. God’s providence is found all over his life. There was excitement in publishing tracts, and sorrows with the passings of his wife and children. Yet Witherow remained productive, and his faith remained intact.
The remaining two-thirds of the book are dedicated to The Presbyterian Distinctives of Thomas Witherow. This section includes his works on The Apostolic Church, Scriptural Baptism, and The Sabbath. With cohesive and clear writing, they remain convincing and influential.
The Apostolic Church and Scriptural Baptism
Witherow Biblically defines the church to be an assembly of the people of God -- a society of Christians. While a plurality of elders is stressed, he is also sure to keep Christ as the head. Pulpit exposition and private instruction are the means by which the Word is to be planted. Witherow is concise, yet practical.
Considering texts like Matthew 3:11, as well as various passages in Acts, Witherow sees the connection between water baptism and baptism by the Spirit. He claims that by going off of Scripture alone, the only mode of baptism that can be proved by it is that of putting water upon the person.
The Sabbath as a Divine Ordinance
Seeing the Sabbath as a divine ordinance has several practical applications. First, it must be guarded and dedicated. Second, it should be spent at church and in the home. To be with God’s family and our earthly families are good things. Third, there should still be joy. It is a day for rest as well as for rejoicing.
An educated and published man, this pastor and professor loved the church. He sought to teach truth and stay supported by Scripture. He wrote with clarity and conviction. This book leaves a legacy for Presbyterians, and a beautiful encouragement for all believers.
I received a media copy of I Will Build My Church and this is my honest review.
January 20, 2025
“There is such a thing as being a Presbyterian without being a Christian, and it is possible to be a Christian without being a Presbyterian. Depend upon it, it is best to be both.” - Thomas Witherow
Although I came to this book already having Presbyterian convictions, this was an awesome read that really helped me to understand the ‘why’s’ behind some distinctive Presbyterian practices, namely Presbyterian government, infant baptism, and the Christian Sabbath. Witherow is easy to read and understand, and each argument for Presbyterianism is rooted in the Scriptures. Highly recommend to any and everyone!
Although I came to this book already having Presbyterian convictions, this was an awesome read that really helped me to understand the ‘why’s’ behind some distinctive Presbyterian practices, namely Presbyterian government, infant baptism, and the Christian Sabbath. Witherow is easy to read and understand, and each argument for Presbyterianism is rooted in the Scriptures. Highly recommend to any and everyone!
June 9, 2022
This is a fantastic series of arguments for Presbyterianism written in a warm, pastoral, hortatory, and accessible way.
November 20, 2022
Excellent intro to Presbyterianism. Strengthened my convictions on Presbyterian polity, baptism and the Lord's Day. Although it doesn't go deep into covenant theology, I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a brief introduction to what Presbyterianism is all about.
October 15, 2022
Just because we cannot say that church polity is not absolutely essential to salvation does not mean it is not very important. If it were the case that nonessential truth is unimportant then the Bible itself would be, in the main, unimportant. Though everything in Scripture cannot be considered absolutely essential to salvation, yet everything in it is essential to otherwise important ends.
To that end, the author argues from principles (and not minute details) of Scripture that the apostolic church was not prelacy (with its unfounded hierarchy) nor independency (without a privilege of appeal). But the apostolic church is Presbyterian. It alone accords with the six great principles found in Scripture.
1) officers chosen by popular election (Acts 1:13-26; Acts 6).
2) the office of bishop and elder was identical (Titus 1:5-7)
3) plurality of elders (Acts 14:23)
4) ordination was the act of presbytery (1 Tim 4:14; Acts 6:6)
5) there was a privilege of appeal (Acts 15-16)
6) Christ alone is the head of the Church (Eph 5:23)
—————————
The Supper signs the work of Christ. Baptism signs the work of the Spirit.
The mode of Baptism is fittingly pouring. Though dip or immerse can be a gloss for baptizo, the baptism of the Spirit is spoken of in terms of being “poured out on all flesh” and “falling upon” (Acts 11:15-16).
Children of believers should be baptized.
-As Christ's blessing of the children benefitted those who did not fully understand so can baptism benefit children.
-When scripture speaks of faith as necessary to the right of baptism it speaks in reference to adult converts.
-The covenants in Scripture contain a household principle (Adam and his posterity, Noah and his seed, Abraham and his offspring, the mosaic included little ones as well whose obligations to the cov were established by their parents).
-For nearly 2,000 years before Christ, children were included in the visible membership of the covenant people. We as gentiles are grafted into that same people.
-Inclusion of infants has never been set aside and they were addressed in the NT as covenant members and distinguished from those outside of the covenant as "clean" and "holy."
-The admission into the covenant community was by virtue of baptism for adults so it is the case for the admission of children.
-The household principle is continuous into the New Testament, evidenced by household baptisms.
-There is no proof to the contrary.
————-
The Sabbath is a combination of moral and ceremonial. Ceremonial laws can be set aside by the lawgiver but the moral cannot. The moral aspect of the sabbath is the due proportion of time set aside for rest and worship. The move from Saturday to Sunday was a change in the ceremonial aspect.
Sabbath as a day of worship came to prominence during the exilic period where synagogue worship was customary. Jesus blessed this custom by his attendance.
Like many things, the full explication of the sabbath under the new covenant was postponed until the dramatic shift brought about by the death and resurrection of Christ.
Gentiles were not under obligation to the law of Moses. The moral law nor the sabbath, however, were not exclusive to Moses. Rather, they predate Moses.
It was the practice of the early church to meet on the first day of the week for worship, called the Lord’s Day. Although they met during the week, no other day is titled "the second" or "third" or etc of the week.
There is at a shift from rest being front and center to worship being front and center.
Given how much teaching Jesus and the gospel writers conveyed on the Sabbath, it would be nonsense to assume that the Sabbath would no longer be relevant to the life of the church.
The sabbath was made for man, not Israel exclusively (Mark 2:27).
Quoting the fourth commandment in reference to the Lord’s day is appropriate. The reason why this was not done in the early church was that there was an overlap of the Jewish sabbath observance and Christian sabbath observance, and this would have led to confusion due to the fact that some Jewish Christians observed both days.
The neglect of the sabbath leads to harm for everyone.
Spend the sabbath in public worship and rest at home. Try to make yourself, others, and especially children happy on the sabbath so that you look forward to it and when children grow up they will have the fondest of memories attached to it.
To that end, the author argues from principles (and not minute details) of Scripture that the apostolic church was not prelacy (with its unfounded hierarchy) nor independency (without a privilege of appeal). But the apostolic church is Presbyterian. It alone accords with the six great principles found in Scripture.
1) officers chosen by popular election (Acts 1:13-26; Acts 6).
2) the office of bishop and elder was identical (Titus 1:5-7)
3) plurality of elders (Acts 14:23)
4) ordination was the act of presbytery (1 Tim 4:14; Acts 6:6)
5) there was a privilege of appeal (Acts 15-16)
6) Christ alone is the head of the Church (Eph 5:23)
—————————
The Supper signs the work of Christ. Baptism signs the work of the Spirit.
The mode of Baptism is fittingly pouring. Though dip or immerse can be a gloss for baptizo, the baptism of the Spirit is spoken of in terms of being “poured out on all flesh” and “falling upon” (Acts 11:15-16).
Children of believers should be baptized.
-As Christ's blessing of the children benefitted those who did not fully understand so can baptism benefit children.
-When scripture speaks of faith as necessary to the right of baptism it speaks in reference to adult converts.
-The covenants in Scripture contain a household principle (Adam and his posterity, Noah and his seed, Abraham and his offspring, the mosaic included little ones as well whose obligations to the cov were established by their parents).
-For nearly 2,000 years before Christ, children were included in the visible membership of the covenant people. We as gentiles are grafted into that same people.
-Inclusion of infants has never been set aside and they were addressed in the NT as covenant members and distinguished from those outside of the covenant as "clean" and "holy."
-The admission into the covenant community was by virtue of baptism for adults so it is the case for the admission of children.
-The household principle is continuous into the New Testament, evidenced by household baptisms.
-There is no proof to the contrary.
————-
The Sabbath is a combination of moral and ceremonial. Ceremonial laws can be set aside by the lawgiver but the moral cannot. The moral aspect of the sabbath is the due proportion of time set aside for rest and worship. The move from Saturday to Sunday was a change in the ceremonial aspect.
Sabbath as a day of worship came to prominence during the exilic period where synagogue worship was customary. Jesus blessed this custom by his attendance.
Like many things, the full explication of the sabbath under the new covenant was postponed until the dramatic shift brought about by the death and resurrection of Christ.
Gentiles were not under obligation to the law of Moses. The moral law nor the sabbath, however, were not exclusive to Moses. Rather, they predate Moses.
It was the practice of the early church to meet on the first day of the week for worship, called the Lord’s Day. Although they met during the week, no other day is titled "the second" or "third" or etc of the week.
There is at a shift from rest being front and center to worship being front and center.
Given how much teaching Jesus and the gospel writers conveyed on the Sabbath, it would be nonsense to assume that the Sabbath would no longer be relevant to the life of the church.
The sabbath was made for man, not Israel exclusively (Mark 2:27).
Quoting the fourth commandment in reference to the Lord’s day is appropriate. The reason why this was not done in the early church was that there was an overlap of the Jewish sabbath observance and Christian sabbath observance, and this would have led to confusion due to the fact that some Jewish Christians observed both days.
The neglect of the sabbath leads to harm for everyone.
Spend the sabbath in public worship and rest at home. Try to make yourself, others, and especially children happy on the sabbath so that you look forward to it and when children grow up they will have the fondest of memories attached to it.
July 25, 2023
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH ABOUT?
Thomas Witherow was an Irish Presbyterian pastor in the mid-Nineteenth Century, who later became a professor. Over the course of his ministry--in part thanks to the revivals of the time--he saw more competition in Ireland to the Presbyterian Church from a variety of Protestant groups. He also saw that too many Presbyterian members or ministers couldn't define or defend the distinctives--many seeing them as a tradition more than a conviction.
One of Witherow's driving missions was to help the Presbyterians he taught amongst to see that their distinctives were serious and defensible. He also wanted to explain them to the other Protestants and possibly convince them to at least consider them.
This is a collection of three of his works along those lines--about ecclesiology, sacraments, and the Sabbath--slightly edited for modern standards. Long sentences turned in to multiple, spelling updates, and so on--and the Bible citations modified to be the ESV. That sort of thing.
A PRINCE OF IRISH PRESBYTERIANISM
Before we get into the works, the editor, Jonathan Gibson, provides an almost 80-page biography of Witherow--sketching his education, family life, pastoral work, writing, and professorial work.
I just picked this up to read Witherow, and hadn't counted on learning anything about him and it was a great bonus for me to get more context for his work both in terms of his own life and the Church situation he found himself in.
THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH
Odds are, if you know anything that Witherow wrote, it's this short book (in this edition, it's about seventy pages long). The subtitle to this is "Which is it? - An Inquiry at the Oracles of God as to Whether Any Existing Form of Church Government is of Divine Right." Which is a pretty good summary of the work.
Witherow's convinced that too many people (no matter their preferred ecclesiology) see it as a matter of convenience, taste, and traition. He cannot abide by that kind of thinking--convinced that if the Church cannot find Scriptural endorsement of a way of doing something, it ought to be abandonded.
Witherow starts this work by listing and explaining six principles he sees in the Apostolic Church then he looks at the three forms of church government--prelacy (whether in Roman Catholic or Anglican form), congregational, and presbyterian--to see which, if any, does the best job of embodying those principles.
SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM
This is a slightly shorter book on the subject of Baptism--tackling (in turn) the mode of baptism and the subjects of it.
He deals with the question of mode pretty quickly--first by Scriptural evidence and then moving to practical considerations.
Then he moves on to the issue of the subjects of baptism--from the outset, he's careful not to let prominent Irish Baptists set the terms of the debate, instead he reframes the typical way these conversations went in his circles. Rather than starting with the positions of the baptists and then responding to them, he sets out a few points he wants baptists to answer--and then shows how (from his vantage point, anyway) they cannot.
THE SABBATH
The book on the Lord's Day/Sabbath is more pointed than the others. Witherow takes a pretty traditional path--defining moral and ceremonial law at the outset. Then he addresses Christ's attitude toward and teaching about the Sabbath before getting into the abrogation of the ceremonial law and the practice of the New Testament church.
Then Witherow addresses a move to adjust the equivalent of the Blue Laws there to make Sunday a day for amusement (I'm a little vague on the details and it'd take to long to explain my guesses). Basically, where you could go pay for theaters and shopping and the like. Witherow follows his explanation for the Christian observance of the Lord's Day with a warning about what will happen if the laws are changed--how it will negatively impact workers, businesses, and the economy--in addition to the church.
Say what you will about Blue Laws (and I have plenty to say in other contexts), Witherow was spot-on with his predictions.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH?
I spent a lot of time with The Apostolic Church almost twenty years ago--I used it and a paper by him to compare with some contemporary American ecclesiologies. I haven't read it since for a variety of reasons (mostly overkill), but man, it was fun to come back to it.
I appreciate the footnotes Gibson added, but I'm not so sure that we needed the ESV update. I don't know what it gained, outside of maybe making it more accessible for contemporary readers. But those who are going to need an ESV rather than the AV for translation are really going to be put off by Witherow's insistence to call the baptists Anabaptists throughout the second book. He's definitely not a 21st century writer🙂
I enjoyed all these books--and Gibson's biography was a great bonus. The photographs of Witherow and his family were unexpected, too.
Sharp, concise writing, with a little bit of punch (but not quarrelsome). This is a great introduction/tutorial on Presbyterian Church distinctives. Highly recommended.
---
WHAT'S I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH ABOUT?
Thomas Witherow was an Irish Presbyterian pastor in the mid-Nineteenth Century, who later became a professor. Over the course of his ministry--in part thanks to the revivals of the time--he saw more competition in Ireland to the Presbyterian Church from a variety of Protestant groups. He also saw that too many Presbyterian members or ministers couldn't define or defend the distinctives--many seeing them as a tradition more than a conviction.
One of Witherow's driving missions was to help the Presbyterians he taught amongst to see that their distinctives were serious and defensible. He also wanted to explain them to the other Protestants and possibly convince them to at least consider them.
This is a collection of three of his works along those lines--about ecclesiology, sacraments, and the Sabbath--slightly edited for modern standards. Long sentences turned in to multiple, spelling updates, and so on--and the Bible citations modified to be the ESV. That sort of thing.
A PRINCE OF IRISH PRESBYTERIANISM
Before we get into the works, the editor, Jonathan Gibson, provides an almost 80-page biography of Witherow--sketching his education, family life, pastoral work, writing, and professorial work.
I just picked this up to read Witherow, and hadn't counted on learning anything about him and it was a great bonus for me to get more context for his work both in terms of his own life and the Church situation he found himself in.
THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH
Odds are, if you know anything that Witherow wrote, it's this short book (in this edition, it's about seventy pages long). The subtitle to this is "Which is it? - An Inquiry at the Oracles of God as to Whether Any Existing Form of Church Government is of Divine Right." Which is a pretty good summary of the work.
Witherow's convinced that too many people (no matter their preferred ecclesiology) see it as a matter of convenience, taste, and traition. He cannot abide by that kind of thinking--convinced that if the Church cannot find Scriptural endorsement of a way of doing something, it ought to be abandonded.
Witherow starts this work by listing and explaining six principles he sees in the Apostolic Church then he looks at the three forms of church government--prelacy (whether in Roman Catholic or Anglican form), congregational, and presbyterian--to see which, if any, does the best job of embodying those principles.
SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM
This is a slightly shorter book on the subject of Baptism--tackling (in turn) the mode of baptism and the subjects of it.
He deals with the question of mode pretty quickly--first by Scriptural evidence and then moving to practical considerations.
Then he moves on to the issue of the subjects of baptism--from the outset, he's careful not to let prominent Irish Baptists set the terms of the debate, instead he reframes the typical way these conversations went in his circles. Rather than starting with the positions of the baptists and then responding to them, he sets out a few points he wants baptists to answer--and then shows how (from his vantage point, anyway) they cannot.
THE SABBATH
The book on the Lord's Day/Sabbath is more pointed than the others. Witherow takes a pretty traditional path--defining moral and ceremonial law at the outset. Then he addresses Christ's attitude toward and teaching about the Sabbath before getting into the abrogation of the ceremonial law and the practice of the New Testament church.
Then Witherow addresses a move to adjust the equivalent of the Blue Laws there to make Sunday a day for amusement (I'm a little vague on the details and it'd take to long to explain my guesses). Basically, where you could go pay for theaters and shopping and the like. Witherow follows his explanation for the Christian observance of the Lord's Day with a warning about what will happen if the laws are changed--how it will negatively impact workers, businesses, and the economy--in addition to the church.
Say what you will about Blue Laws (and I have plenty to say in other contexts), Witherow was spot-on with his predictions.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH?
I spent a lot of time with The Apostolic Church almost twenty years ago--I used it and a paper by him to compare with some contemporary American ecclesiologies. I haven't read it since for a variety of reasons (mostly overkill), but man, it was fun to come back to it.
I appreciate the footnotes Gibson added, but I'm not so sure that we needed the ESV update. I don't know what it gained, outside of maybe making it more accessible for contemporary readers. But those who are going to need an ESV rather than the AV for translation are really going to be put off by Witherow's insistence to call the baptists Anabaptists throughout the second book. He's definitely not a 21st century writer🙂
I enjoyed all these books--and Gibson's biography was a great bonus. The photographs of Witherow and his family were unexpected, too.
Sharp, concise writing, with a little bit of punch (but not quarrelsome). This is a great introduction/tutorial on Presbyterian Church distinctives. Highly recommended.
June 15, 2025
Westminster Seminary Press was kind enough to send me a copy of “I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath” by Thomas Witherow in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll say up front that this book is fantastic! What you’re really getting here is four books for the price of one. Three of these were written by Witherow himself, the other is a biography of Witherow by Jonathan Gibson. Gibson’s biography is really helpful in getting acquainted with Witherow. The three treatises by Witherow concern (as the title suggests) church polity, baptism, and the Sabbath.
This book is worth it alone for “The Apostolic Church: Which Is It? An Inquiry at the Oracles of God as to Whether Any Existing Form of Church Government Is of Divine Right.” It’s one of the best defenses of Presbyterian polity I’ve come across. This treatise is divided into two parts. The first part is entirely focused on Scripture, exegetically establishing six scriptural standards that characterize apostolic church government. The second part takes the three basic models of church government (Prelacy, Indepency, Presbytery) and tests them by the biblical principles. Even if you don’t end up agreeing with his conclusions, anyone seriously interested in church polity needs to engage with Witherow’s arguments here.
“Scriptural Baptism: Its Mode and Subjects, as Opposed to the Views of the Anabaptists” deals with two elements of the sacrament: its mode and its subject. Part one is focused on showing in detail 1) the fact that “immersion” (dipping in reality) can’t be supported from Scripture (sorry Baptists, but βαπτίζω doesn’t mean dip) and 2) what the proper mode is. Part two is, as you would expect, a defense of the baptism of the children of believers. In dealing with both questions, Witherow is thoroughly biblical in his arguments and conclusions, making this treatise a brief must-read on baptism.
“The Sabbath: Not a Church Holiday but a Divine Ordinance under All Dispensations” is a defense of the historic Reformed view of the Sabbath (best articulated in WCF 21.7-8, WLC 20 and 115-121, WSC 57-62). As with the other two treatises, Witherow’s treatment is thorough and biblical. It’s definitely an essential read for our friends who don’t believe in the abiding validity of the Fourth Commandment and the creation principles undergirding it.
This is an absolutely wonderful volume that belongs on every believer’s shelf. For Reformed Christians, it serves as a good defense of some of our confessional distinctives. For non-Reformed Christians, it’s an excellent resource for engaging with Reformed arguments, which is valuable in and of itself. WSP is to be highly commended for making these documents accessible to the modern church.
I’ll say up front that this book is fantastic! What you’re really getting here is four books for the price of one. Three of these were written by Witherow himself, the other is a biography of Witherow by Jonathan Gibson. Gibson’s biography is really helpful in getting acquainted with Witherow. The three treatises by Witherow concern (as the title suggests) church polity, baptism, and the Sabbath.
This book is worth it alone for “The Apostolic Church: Which Is It? An Inquiry at the Oracles of God as to Whether Any Existing Form of Church Government Is of Divine Right.” It’s one of the best defenses of Presbyterian polity I’ve come across. This treatise is divided into two parts. The first part is entirely focused on Scripture, exegetically establishing six scriptural standards that characterize apostolic church government. The second part takes the three basic models of church government (Prelacy, Indepency, Presbytery) and tests them by the biblical principles. Even if you don’t end up agreeing with his conclusions, anyone seriously interested in church polity needs to engage with Witherow’s arguments here.
“Scriptural Baptism: Its Mode and Subjects, as Opposed to the Views of the Anabaptists” deals with two elements of the sacrament: its mode and its subject. Part one is focused on showing in detail 1) the fact that “immersion” (dipping in reality) can’t be supported from Scripture (sorry Baptists, but βαπτίζω doesn’t mean dip) and 2) what the proper mode is. Part two is, as you would expect, a defense of the baptism of the children of believers. In dealing with both questions, Witherow is thoroughly biblical in his arguments and conclusions, making this treatise a brief must-read on baptism.
“The Sabbath: Not a Church Holiday but a Divine Ordinance under All Dispensations” is a defense of the historic Reformed view of the Sabbath (best articulated in WCF 21.7-8, WLC 20 and 115-121, WSC 57-62). As with the other two treatises, Witherow’s treatment is thorough and biblical. It’s definitely an essential read for our friends who don’t believe in the abiding validity of the Fourth Commandment and the creation principles undergirding it.
This is an absolutely wonderful volume that belongs on every believer’s shelf. For Reformed Christians, it serves as a good defense of some of our confessional distinctives. For non-Reformed Christians, it’s an excellent resource for engaging with Reformed arguments, which is valuable in and of itself. WSP is to be highly commended for making these documents accessible to the modern church.
April 24, 2023
Offert par mon pasteur.
« C’est un grand privilège que d’être capable de porter un jugement clair, cohérent et complet sur les vérités révélées dans l’Écriture ; mais ceux qui le possèdent sont exposés à la tentation d’avoir une trop haute opinion d’eux-mêmes, et une trop faible opinion des autres, surtout de ceux qui non seulement refusent d’adopter leurs sentiments, mais s’y opposent. Nous voyons peu d’écrits polémiques, si excellents soient-ils par ailleurs, qui ne soient teintés de cet esprit de supériorité de soi. »
Ainsi écrivait John Newton. Thomas Witherow, par trois traités « polémiques », aurait particulièrement pu tomber dans ce travers puisque les trois positions qu’il s’attelle à défendre : le pédobaptême comme baptême d’alliance, la forme presbytérienne du gouvernement et l’observance du dimanche comme respect néotestamentaire du 4ème commandement sont des particularités presbytériennes. Toutefois, c’est avec affabilité que Witherow aborde ces sujets, s’adressant pourtant à ceux qui voudraient faire du dimanche une simple tradition ecclésiale et de la gouvernance de l’église une simple matière de prudence.
Ces deux propositions me sont apparues particulièrement séduisantes ces derniers temps, en lien avec le danger que j’ai pu percevoir dans le biblicisme et dans les arguments invraisemblables qui ont pu être avancés contre des docteurs comme Richard Hooker. Toutefois, après lecture de la Synopse de Leiden et maintenant avec Witherow, je vois qu’une défense mesurée, vraisemblable, qui distingue le moral et naturel du positif, qui fait appel à un éventail d’arguments depuis les arguments naturels puis biblique jusqu’à ceux qui tentent de montrer l’avantage pour le bien commun des positions défendues, est possible.
Je ne l’ai lu exhaustivement que sur le sabbat, hâte de lire entièrement ce qu’il a à dire sur les deux autres sujets. Peut-être quelques traductions à venir sur Parlafoi.fr ! J'ai vu qu'une traduction de son traité sur la politique ecclésiale était sortie cette année chez Publications Chrétiennes sous le titre "l'Église apostolique : quelle est-elle ?"
« C’est un grand privilège que d’être capable de porter un jugement clair, cohérent et complet sur les vérités révélées dans l’Écriture ; mais ceux qui le possèdent sont exposés à la tentation d’avoir une trop haute opinion d’eux-mêmes, et une trop faible opinion des autres, surtout de ceux qui non seulement refusent d’adopter leurs sentiments, mais s’y opposent. Nous voyons peu d’écrits polémiques, si excellents soient-ils par ailleurs, qui ne soient teintés de cet esprit de supériorité de soi. »
Ainsi écrivait John Newton. Thomas Witherow, par trois traités « polémiques », aurait particulièrement pu tomber dans ce travers puisque les trois positions qu’il s’attelle à défendre : le pédobaptême comme baptême d’alliance, la forme presbytérienne du gouvernement et l’observance du dimanche comme respect néotestamentaire du 4ème commandement sont des particularités presbytériennes. Toutefois, c’est avec affabilité que Witherow aborde ces sujets, s’adressant pourtant à ceux qui voudraient faire du dimanche une simple tradition ecclésiale et de la gouvernance de l’église une simple matière de prudence.
Ces deux propositions me sont apparues particulièrement séduisantes ces derniers temps, en lien avec le danger que j’ai pu percevoir dans le biblicisme et dans les arguments invraisemblables qui ont pu être avancés contre des docteurs comme Richard Hooker. Toutefois, après lecture de la Synopse de Leiden et maintenant avec Witherow, je vois qu’une défense mesurée, vraisemblable, qui distingue le moral et naturel du positif, qui fait appel à un éventail d’arguments depuis les arguments naturels puis biblique jusqu’à ceux qui tentent de montrer l’avantage pour le bien commun des positions défendues, est possible.
Je ne l’ai lu exhaustivement que sur le sabbat, hâte de lire entièrement ce qu’il a à dire sur les deux autres sujets. Peut-être quelques traductions à venir sur Parlafoi.fr ! J'ai vu qu'une traduction de son traité sur la politique ecclésiale était sortie cette année chez Publications Chrétiennes sous le titre "l'Église apostolique : quelle est-elle ?"
June 29, 2023
I would rate this work at 4.5/5 if I could.
In my estimation, each successive treatise was weaker than the previous. “The Apostolic Church” was amazing. As a convinced Presbyterian, this treatise is a “knockout punch” in dealing with ecclesiastical polity. The call for pulpits to preach on ecclesiology at the end of the work was much needed and convicting.
“Scriptural Baptism” was also a great treatment of Baptism — its mode and recipients. However, one thing that was clearly missing from the work was a treatment of the continuity between circumcision and baptism. Witherow assumes this continuity, given that they represent very much the same things. But it would have been helpful to have seen this connection developed.
The work on the Sabbath was, in my opinion, the weakest work. While I agree with the conclusions of his treatment, I thought that his spadework to get to that point was not the most convincing.
I assess this volume by these three treatises. But the biography at the beginning must not be overlooked. To read of how God worked in Witherow’s life was a wonderful addition to the book.
Overall, I recommend.
In my estimation, each successive treatise was weaker than the previous. “The Apostolic Church” was amazing. As a convinced Presbyterian, this treatise is a “knockout punch” in dealing with ecclesiastical polity. The call for pulpits to preach on ecclesiology at the end of the work was much needed and convicting.
“Scriptural Baptism” was also a great treatment of Baptism — its mode and recipients. However, one thing that was clearly missing from the work was a treatment of the continuity between circumcision and baptism. Witherow assumes this continuity, given that they represent very much the same things. But it would have been helpful to have seen this connection developed.
The work on the Sabbath was, in my opinion, the weakest work. While I agree with the conclusions of his treatment, I thought that his spadework to get to that point was not the most convincing.
I assess this volume by these three treatises. But the biography at the beginning must not be overlooked. To read of how God worked in Witherow’s life was a wonderful addition to the book.
Overall, I recommend.
June 5, 2022
Simply an outstanding biblical examination of Presbyterian polity, baptism and the continuation of the sabbath. All readers, no matter your doctrinal bent, will be strongly edified by the writings of this exceptional man.
“Let our ministers continue, as at present, to preach the gospel faithfully, and to maintain that soundness in the faith, without which there can be no religious prosperity. Let them continue to exemplify in their own life and character that pure morality which they inculcate upon others. Let them redouble their attention to the people and spare no pains to carry the message of life to every fireside. Let the minister not be turned from his purpose by the murmurs of disaffected parties within, or the clamours of enemies without, remembering that the patient cries most loudly when the physician probes the sore….”
“Let our ministers continue, as at present, to preach the gospel faithfully, and to maintain that soundness in the faith, without which there can be no religious prosperity. Let them continue to exemplify in their own life and character that pure morality which they inculcate upon others. Let them redouble their attention to the people and spare no pains to carry the message of life to every fireside. Let the minister not be turned from his purpose by the murmurs of disaffected parties within, or the clamours of enemies without, remembering that the patient cries most loudly when the physician probes the sore….”
September 15, 2024
I bought this book for the sabbath argumentation given in it. Funnily enough, that was the weakest part of the book and offers very little new to the other works on the subject. I did appreciate how he pointed out that the destruction of the sabbath means that the poor will never get a rest, and that it is a matter of oppression. The rest of the book is magnificent, giving a great introduction and polemic for the presbyterian style of church government and for covenant baptism. Probably the best work I've read on defending presbyterian baptism. I really love his writing, although it can be dense and difficult to read through because you really want to pay attention to what he's saying.
September 3, 2024
Witherow's biography is noteworthy being that he was overshadowed by other prominent figures of his time. His life was that of a faithful Christian and is a great encouragement to read.
The three works of his that are here reprinted are also of importance. Witherow writes in church polity, baptism, and the Sabbath. While his arguments are not the end of all of these topics, they are worth noting and wrestling with
The three works of his that are here reprinted are also of importance. Witherow writes in church polity, baptism, and the Sabbath. While his arguments are not the end of all of these topics, they are worth noting and wrestling with
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2022
Good but dangerous. I can see how many would be convinced to depart to Presbyterianism. As it stands, that would not be a terrible thing for some evangelicals I know. However, there were gaping holes in his argument as well. In the end, the author challenged me and my credo-baptist convictions. I did enjoy him on polity and the Sabbath. I hope more Presbyterians read him.
February 27, 2024
I would highly recommend Witherow's work to any lay individual interested in what the Bible has to say about church government, baptism, and the Lord's Day. Witherow did not write for the ivory towers and the world is better off for it. This work has strengthened my convictions, for which, I am blessed.
March 23, 2024
I love biographies, and I love theology, so this was perfect for me. More importantly, Witherow does a commendable job when writing of the apostolic church, baptism, and Sabbath principles.
I especially found his section on the Sabbath to be enlightening, and his Parable of the City Park is now a go-to when discussing who is to be baptized.
I especially found his section on the Sabbath to be enlightening, and his Parable of the City Park is now a go-to when discussing who is to be baptized.
June 23, 2022
This 19th century irish presbyterian was very crisp and clear. The sections on church government and baptism were most helpful, on the sabbath there is lot more now to say (because our situation has degraded and our theology have developed and expanded somewhat).
November 14, 2025
Great book. Lots of helpful arguments here.
July 20, 2023
"Es posible ser presbiteriano sin ser cristiano, también es posible ser cristiano sin ser presbiteriano. Sin duda alguna, lo mejor es ser ambas" Thomas Witherow
En este libro, Whiterow expone 3 de los distintivos presbiterianos: las iglesias locales unidas en presbiterios y asambleas generales, lideradas por los ancianos/pastores, el bautismo por medio de aspersión tanto para creyentes como para sus hijos, y el dia domingo como Shabat cristiano para adorar y descansar.
De manera breve, clara y biblicamente convincente en casi todos los puntos, Whiterow defiende sus convicciones presbiterianas. Recomendado para todo el que quiera entender el presbiterianismo.
En este libro, Whiterow expone 3 de los distintivos presbiterianos: las iglesias locales unidas en presbiterios y asambleas generales, lideradas por los ancianos/pastores, el bautismo por medio de aspersión tanto para creyentes como para sus hijos, y el dia domingo como Shabat cristiano para adorar y descansar.
De manera breve, clara y biblicamente convincente en casi todos los puntos, Whiterow defiende sus convicciones presbiterianas. Recomendado para todo el que quiera entender el presbiterianismo.
March 8, 2025
I don't know how I went the entire life without knowing who the Prince of Irish Presbyterianism was. This book has whet my appetite to read more from Thomas Witherow. I wish I read this book before tackling Bannermans "Church of Christ" sections on church polity and sacraments.
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