The Truth About Water Baptism: A Biblical Guide to Understanding New Testament Water Baptism

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Patrick Abendroth (Afterword)

A refreshingly biblical treatment of New Testament baptism! Patrick Abendroth answers the prevalant and often times controversial questions concerning Christian baptism. An appendix by Charles H. Spurgeon is included in this helpful book explaining The Truth About Water Baptism.

Paperback

Published August 1, 2005

About the author

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Reviews

[Jimmy]

To begin with a personal note, many years ago the author was the pastor of the current church I am ministering at now, though I only heard him preach once when he came back to visit. This short book was adapted from a sermon that the author preached and the book is written with the lay reader in mind. Basics such as why the topic of baptism is important, a short account of types of baptism in the New Testament, a summary of the word study of "baptize" and why the author believes in believer's baptism by immersion is given here. Author does tackle the topic of the relationship with baptism and salvation, and I appreciate his remark that one ought to begin with the epistles to explain the narrative passages given that the epistles function largely to explain the doctrines of the faith and is prescriptive rather than descriptive (that is not to say there is no example for us in narrative portion of Scripture, but must be done in consideration of the prescriptive [imperatives and prohibition] passages in the Bible). There is an appendix of Charles Spurgeon's sermon against Baptismal regeneration, which I appreciate and I am one who is growing to appreciate a lot more of the writing by dead men. With what little I have read of Spurgeon, I'm surprise how that Victorian English preacher from the past can speak to us still today-- during those moments when I do come across Charles Spurgeon's written sermon, I wished he asked me what I want so I can reply, "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit."