Believer's Baptism (#02 in New American Commentary Studies In Bible And Theology Series)

In Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ, scholars Schreiner and Wright have compiled and edited several articles affirming believer's baptism, appealing to Old and New Testament passages and their historically exegetical interpretations, in addition to Church History (addressing problems with Reformation eisegesis and tradition), showing that their position is scripturally consistent. The opening chapters lay the foundation for New Testament premise, ensuring that their starting point on the subject matter is Sola Scriptura, highlighting how a conscious understanding of sin, repentance, faith and community were connected to being baptized. Approach to the covenants of God are explored, for this determines one's understanding of baptism. Exploration of baptism in the formative years of the church, how the Reformers aligned with Roman Catholic teachings on baptism and inconsistency of the infant baptism position are also explored. The concluding chapters helps in pastoral application and does well to reinforce the high view of baptism and instrumental to the believer's sanctification. The strength of Believer's Baptism lies in two areas; its literal approach to understanding passages about baptism in the Scriptures, that is sorely lacking in the infant baptism position. While discussion on Levetical mikveh's, John the Baptist's baptisms, and Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox views would have been good, overall, this is one of the best works on baptism today.

This is a well-written study of baptism, but it does not succeed in disproving infant baptism. The spirit in which it is written is very Christ-like. It focuses largely on the covenantal theology of Reformed and Presbyterian churches. In the end it fails to show that the Abrahamic covenant ended at the cross. This is a very important consideration. The concept of baptism being the sign of the NEW covenant of Jeremiah 31, although consistent with Baptist theology, is essentially unfounded. Dialogos Studies has a further critique on these aspects.