Baptism in the New Testament (Paperback)

by G. R. Beasley-Murray (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This enduring study of Christian baptism by G. R. Beasley-Murray presents a critical defense of the doctrine of believers' baptism on the basis of the New Testament evidence. / Beasley-Murray first discusses the various rites that precede Christian baptism historically, then analyzes the relationship between these earlier rites and baptism. From these antecedents — Old Testament ritual washings, Jewish proselyte baptism, the lustrations practiced at Qumran, and the baptism of John the Baptist — Beasley-Murray proceeds to the foundations of Christian baptism in the career of Jesus, its emergence as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, and its development in the New Testament epistolary literature. / Throughout this work, Beasley-Murray continually focuses on the necessity of baptism and its relationship to grace, faith, the Spirit, the church, ethics, and hope. He also presents a careful, well-balanced examination of the rise and significance of infant baptism — one of the most debated elements in the doctrine of baptism today. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author
G.R. Beasley-Murray is professor emeritus of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, and former principal of Spurgeon’s College, London. His other books include Jesus and the Kingdom of God and the commentary on Revelation in the New Century Bible Commentary. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers (August 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597528595
• ISBN-13: 978-1597528597
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #716,208 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very impressed!, January 2, 2000

By	"mrg2" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baptism in the New Testament (Paperback)

This is the most thorough and scholarly study of the subject of baptism I've ever seen. It is particularly noteworthy that the author, a Baptist, challenges the doctrines of his church at several points. Unfortunately, at the end of the book, he fails to maintain his earlier conclusions when discussing the question "Is baptism necessary for salvation?" In spite of this inconsistency, this is an outstanding work.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An indispensable work for grasping the truth about baptism., September 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Baptism in the New Testament (Paperback)

Beasley-Murray thoroughly lays out the New Testament understanding of Baptism, beginning with a lengthy discussion of the antecedants (e.g., proselyte baptism, etc) and foundations of baptism. Beasley-Murray then offers a thorough, intelligent (if somewhat difficult) and scholarly exegesis of several Biblical passages speaking on baptism, beginning with the primitive community in Acts. I found his treatment of Romans 6 most helpful and insightful in an in-depth study on this subject. Baptism is an extremely important subject in our modern churches that is often times ignored or downplayed due to "faith-only" tradition. Beasley-Murray offers the most thorough and insightful work to help Pastors, students, and laymen bring to light the wonderful freedom and hope found in the New Testament's (and especially Paul's) explanation of baptism. Bring your full attention and be ready to work through this read, but it's worth it, as Beasley-Murray's work is the best available.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, This was Deep, Thorough, and Intellectually Challenging, June 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Baptism in the New Testament (Paperback)

G. R. Beasely-Murray (B-M) set out to write a book on his full understadning of baptism, and the results are amazing. I would warn you that this book is not easy reading, but is necissary reading for those who are truely interested in God's word. It seems like B-M did not leave any stones unturned in his quest to understand baptism. He brings anthropology, history, literature, theology and many years of knowledge out in this book.

B-M starts with a pre-christian history of baptism and cerimonial washing, including the Baptisms of the essenes, John, and the baptism of Jesus. He then looks at the formation of Christians baptism in the bible (broken down into each book starting with acts). Then he does a topical look at what Christian baptism means and theology about baptism: icluding grace, repentence, and faith which are almost always overlooked in modern discussion of baptism. The book ends with a look at infant baptism.

B-M is thorough in his quest to figure out baptism. He rest his arguments on facts and logical conclussions instead of assumptions (normally a problem with modern theologins). Instead of writing a book to support his denominations theology, he has the courage to challenge it (and other denominations as well).