Baptism: The Picture and Its Purpose

by Peter Masters

Why should the Lord insist on the baptism of all converts? What is the significance of baptism? What makes it so important, especially as it makes no spiritual contribution to conversion? This booklet sets out to answer these questions, showing how baptism benefits the baptised person, the church, and the world, and describing its fourfold pictorial message, designed by God. This booklet goes on to show that biblical baptism is for believers only, by immersion, and answers questions often raised about infant baptism.

24 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2008

About the author

Peter Masters has served as Minister of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in central London since 1970 and founded the evangelical newspaper Evangelical Times in 1967. He directs the School of Theology, an annual conference for pastors and Christian workers, and initiated the London Reformed Baptist Seminary in 1976, now offering online studies. Masters edits the international magazine Sword & Trowel, continuing the legacy of Charles Spurgeon, and has authored over 30 books translated into at least 28 languages. His sermons have been broadcast on UK and international channels, emphasizing regular Gospel preaching, ministerial separation from non-evangelical churches, cessationism regarding sign gifts, and opposition to Darwinism, supporting a young Earth creationist perspective.

Reviews

[Andrzej Stelmasiak · Rating 1 out of 5]

My rating has nothing to do with what is he arguing for, but the way he does that. If that would be an attempt to be as non-polemic as possible, that booklet would be a lot thinner and then it would merit 3 stars, because much tighter case for credobaptism can be made.
It's one star only because of how poor is his engagement with the opposite side. Oh boy, if the case for covenant-baptism would be only so mediocre...
On top of everything, one does wonder why does Masters wants to associate himself with early English Anabaptists? That brings incredible problems to his position that he seems to be unaware of (theological baggage he has to own as well).

For the record, I was not impressed with it even when I was staunch Reformed Baptist.

[Jon Cheek · Rating 3 out of 5]

brief, but helpful

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, useful summary of the Credobaptist position. Dr Masters summarises some of the key arguments surrounding the modes and candidates of baptism. Enjoyable short read.