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Baptism a Biblical Study

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Whether you believe as Cottrell does about baptism or not you can't help but to enjoy reading this book on the subject. The book is written in a style that any serious Bible student will enjoy and benefit from. Just the way that Cottrell explains salvation is worth reading the book for. This book will challenge any believer concerning their view on baptism and it's place in the Christian experience. I also must say that this book, unlike so many, does not defend the position so much as it explains it and that is refreshing. Read it whether you are in the Church of Christ or not. If not, and you read this book, you will respect what they believe even if you have an issue with this doctrine.

I obtained this book while studying various texts in the Bible on baptism. I had been doing intense study on the doctrine of water baptism in the NT and had become very weary with my evangelical upbringing on baptism (that baptism is a mere ceremony do maybe three or four times a year depending on the size of the church).

This book is written very gracefully. You will not be attacked if you do not hold to baptism being essential to the forgiveness of sins but you will be challanged. Cottrell is a very skilled man in both the Greek text as well as sound biblical interpretation. It is not his desire to paint a "I am right, you are wrong" attitude but rather he will challange you to reconsider what you have believed and maybe even taught concerning baptism.

Study this book! But most of all, base your faith on what the Bible teaches and not on the traditions of men (Mark 7:1-8).

Jack Cottrell tackles the subject of Baptism with an understanding that the reader will also be a seeker. Because of that, he approaches the subject with such enormous grace to keep the reader engaged all the way through. No one who reads this book will be disappointed, nor will they be offended by the way he handles the subject matter. I look forward to reading more of his books.

Cottrell is painstakingly thorough, yet his writing is well-organized and clear. You feel as if you've considered the subject from every possible angle. The result is a deeper understanding of God's amazing grace. Cottrell's scholarship uncovers meanings that even avid Bible students might have missed. And they all point to the magnificence of God's work.

Cottrell's approach is what makes this book so helpful. It's even-handed, an objective search for what the New Testament writers--and God--intended for their audiences to hear. Every seeker of truth should read this book.

This book explores each of the passages in the New Testament in which the meaning of baptism is discussed. After presenting the text, the author gives various interpretations used by different groups to support their views. In doing so, he rules out the poorer interpretations (those that are logically inconsistent, require lengthy explanation to make them "fit" an argument, or that are inconsistent with other Scripture). While the end result may not match the most widely held modern positions, popularity doesn't make any viewpoint right. The conclusion made in the book is the most consistent, logical, textually correct and natural understanding of the verses. This presentation of the Scriptures should be read by all Christians as a basis for understanding God's plan for making disciples.

Using clear New Testament text and theology, Cottrell reveals the true importance of baptism in the Christian experience. His exegesis makes it clear that baptism is much more than just a "badge" of Christianity, but is clearly a necessary step toward salvation. Readable and easily understood.

Aside from the matter of salvation read this because..

Jesus prayed for the church not to divid, yet we divided. The topic of baptism is one of the strongest dividing lines amongst those who profess Christianity. If the church is ever going to be united as a whole body working in unison its going to take people willing to study subjects like baptism and sit down and debate until there is an accord.

Despite what you may have been taught about baptism, despite whether or not your loved one died with out baptism, despite what all your church and friends believe about baptism, there is a black and white truth to baptism. The Bible is very clear on the subject, yet there is division.

The truth is its a matter of life and death. And after reading this book, it walks you through the logic, the facts, the history and the word itself and at the end you will see baptism the way it clearly is painted in the word. Its not needed to be read, but it takes the subject as a whole from the the Bible and puts all the peices together in one writting. So read this if not for yourself, but to help others and unify the those who profess christ.

I believe its essential. Any argument against youve heard will not stand up to truth. go to bebaptized. org and if that ignites you, read this book too.

Once again, Cottrell shows his expertise in the field of doctrine and theology as he leads his readers through a careful exegesis of the biblical passages that speak of baptism. He gives convincing biblical evidence to the idea that baptism is a necessary part of the salvation process.

Jack Cottrell challenges the new traditions of the Church whereas the sinner's prayer is substituted for water baptism. He shows you that water baptism is more than a mere symbol its the time and place where God pours His grace upon the one responding to the Gospel in faith and repentance. If you read this book alongside of your Bible it will open your eyes to the confusion the modern day church has allowed to creep in. It makes you wonder that if the devil attacks the doctrine of water baptism so harshly then it must be more to it than visualizing what is going on in a person spiritually. I would suggest you also pick up Everett Ferguson's Baptism in the Early Church. You will see Jack Cottrell's teaching on water baptism is not some new teaching, but the original teaching as the early church fathers testify to. It was not until Ulrich Zwingli began teaching water baptism as a symbol that the modern church picked up on this false teaching. Coming at the time of the Reformation it spread like wildfire as it attached itself to the Protestant movement. Below is a small taste of what you will see in this book. May it restore the Church to its original roots.


Matthew 28:18-20: In the Great Commission Christ made the sequence clear: preach the Good News, baptize those who receive His message, and teach these new disciples to obey all that He had commanded. Why, we must ask, is baptism singled out from all of the commands we are to obey? It appears that it occupies a unique place and is set apart from the good works belonging to the Christian's sanctification following his conversion. In other words it seems to go more with the conversion experience.

Romans 3:20 teaches us "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight..." Is baptism one of these works of the law? If so then we know that baptism has no connection with the salvation process. However, could it not be one of the conditions the Lord requires for someone to personally receive the benefits of His saving work? If so baptism joins faith and repentance as conditions for entering into the New Covenant. Thus baptism would not be seen as a work of the law, but one of personal response to what the Lord has done on the person's behalf.


Mark 16:15-16: In Mark's account of the Great Commission we see the intimate link between faith and baptism. Many people become disturbed with this link though they do not seem upset over verses linking saving faith with other conditions. In Acts 2:21 calling out to God in prayer is linked to faith in God for salvation. Then in Mark 1:15 and Acts 20:21 repentance toward God is linked to faith in Christ. Over in Romans 10:9-10 it seems that confession was linked to believing in Christ's saving work for salvation.


Acts 22:16: Ask anyone in church, at what moment did Saul of Tarsus get converted? You will probably hear "on the road to Damascus." That is what it seems like if you read only Acts 9. However, when you read what the Apostle Paul shared in his own testimony later in Acts 22 the timing of his conversion becomes obvious. After he had his encounter with Christ he still had not become a Christian. Notice that when Ananias arrived three days later he said Paul was still in his sin and needed them washed away? In fact, this is reminiscent of Peter's sermon at Pentecost where the Apostle linked baptism to the forgiveness of sins. Ananias even referred to water baptism as the way one calls out to God for salvation. This is why Ananias was urgent in telling Saul to get baptized.

Romans 6:3-4: The Apostle Paul eludes to the fact that it is Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection that saves us. At the same time the apostle points to baptism as the time in which these saving acts are bestowed upon us. No, the water is not magical nor is the person's act of being baptized what causes a person to be saved. It is by God's grace and power alone that anyone is saved.

Galatians 3:26-27: Let us consider how Evangelicals see baptism. The sinner repents and puts his faith in Jesus for salvation. Then this "believer" follows up their profession with baptism which represents what has already happened in them spiritually. Yet the verse does not read "All those who put on Christ were baptized." The reverse is true: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

1 Peter 3:21: Baptism is a sinner's pledge to the conditions of the New Covenant, "his request for forgiveness of sins and a new heart," and his visual prayer of faith in Christ's saving work through His death and resurrection. Baptism is not a work of man obligating God to save him. Baptism is saying to God "I need you to save me. I come into the water as you have instructed to receive the promises you have graciously offered to me. I want to receive your gift of grace now." Still salvation is by God's grace alone. Still salvation requires a response from man. Peter says baptism is man's response of faith to God's grace.

During my 57-year lifetime, I have read dozens and dozens of books on the subject of baptism. This is the BEST BOOK I have ever read on this subject! It basically teaches that baptism is the time when a believer in Christ becomes a New Covenant Christian. It demonstrates this truth from the New Covenant Scriptures and shows it to be part-and-parcel of the faith once delivered unto the saints.

Before I read this book, I was a Baptist pastor for over 25 years. As a Baptist pastor, I passionately preached and profusely wrote against the doctrine of baptismal remission, denouncing and dismissing it as a schismatic "Campbellite" teaching. Carefully reading this book helped me to see the New Covenant baptismal passages in a brand new light. Today, I am totally convinced that baptism is the occasion when a believer in Christ becomes a New Covenant Christian. I am sure this is what the first New Covenant Christians believed and taught.