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Crucial Questions #11
What Is Baptism?
Baptism is taught in the Bible and has been practiced for centuries, but understanding of its meaning and respect for its importance is at a low ebb today. Confusion reigns over questions about its mode and its place in the life of the Christian, and as a result, even many evangelical congregations are downplaying its significance.
This is not the way it should be, Dr. R. C. Sproul declares in this Crucial Questions booklet. Baptism, he affirms, is one of the two sacraments of the Christian church, a sign and seal of the covenant of grace. Therefore, it is a necessary and meaningful practice that is packed with rich symbolism. In this booklet, Dr. Sproul provides help in understanding and appreciating this practice of the church.
This is not the way it should be, Dr. R. C. Sproul declares in this Crucial Questions booklet. Baptism, he affirms, is one of the two sacraments of the Christian church, a sign and seal of the covenant of grace. Therefore, it is a necessary and meaningful practice that is packed with rich symbolism. In this booklet, Dr. Sproul provides help in understanding and appreciating this practice of the church.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2011
489 people are currently reading
1319 people want to read
About the author
R.C. Sproul
656 books1,919 followersDr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.
Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.
He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.
Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 1, 2024
Incredibly helpful book. Sproul, in his usual style, is gracious and balanced.
April 24, 2014
Good overview of the main controversies surrounding baptism - including mode (sprinkling vs immersion), age (infant vs adult), relation to conversion, and contextual meaning. Comprehensive yet concise, and fast reading.
February 22, 2017
This book was really helpful in learning more about the history and meaning behind baptisms. I was born and raised a Catholic, so I was baptized very young and only knew what my church taught me. Within the last few years, I've become more of a Christian, and have considered being baptized again. This book answered a lot of questions I've had about the process and the significance, and made me even more excited to get baptized!
May 17, 2015
This is quite a quick read. This little pamphlet was well-written and packs a lot into few pages. I found it to be a good introduction to covenant infant baptism. I especially appreciated the first chapter in baptism and salvation.
December 7, 2022
Sproul provided so many accessible and helpful resources for the church. This book is clear and helpful, while not being to caught up in hefty theological language. The more I read of this series (Crucial Questions) the more I'm convinced it should be a go to source for the lay christian.
April 2, 2024
Good overview. Ignore the section where he denies God’s salvation in the sacrament.
June 5, 2025
It was an interesting book, def a little bias but you were given deep theological background on Baptism.
June 19, 2025
Dis book na pointer to dose dispute wey dey regarding Baptism and the significance of Baptism.
April 3, 2021
Muy bueno
Realmente me gusto mucho este libro, y la sencillez con la que el Doctor Sproul aborda este tema. ¡Dios es bueno!
Realmente me gusto mucho este libro, y la sencillez con la que el Doctor Sproul aborda este tema. ¡Dios es bueno!
April 27, 2024
Helpful little book shedding light on the truths proclaimed in baptism
January 18, 2017
This is the second booklet in the Crucial Questions Series that I am reviewing. The topic of this work is on Christian baptism. I appreciated that Sproul wrote this and also made it available for free on Kindle and cheap in paperback format. In addition I appreciated the fact that Sproul wrote this booklet in an easy to understand format for the general audience.
The book itself is divided into six chapters. The first chapter covered the relationship between baptism and salvation with Sproul making the nuanced point that baptism is important but that does not mean baptism is contrary to the Bible’s teaching that justification is by faith alone. Chapter two looks at John the Baptist’s ministry and baptism. Here I appreciated Sproul’s point that baptism was shocking in the period of second temple Judaism since it would have been a scandal that John the Baptism implied even the Jews also needed purification and not just Gentiles who converted. Chapter three looks at signs of Abraham’s covenant which Sproul ending the chapter with the question of what is the New Covenant sign which of course is Baptism. Chapter four then goes over the meaning of baptism which I felt was the meat of the book. Both chapters five and six are a bit more controversial among Christians and here we see Sproul’s Presbyterianism comes out. Concerning the discussion of modes of baptism in chapter five Sproul tries to argue for sprinkling as oppose to baptism by immersion. I didn’t think he presented necessarily the strongest case and I remained unconvinced. The most controversial chapter to me as a Christian with Baptist leaning is chapter six in which Sproul tried to argue his case for infant baptism. I know Sproul said that “it’s a very dangerous thing to try to discern what is the good and proper way to please God simply by counting noses…” but he goes ahead to make this type of argumentation in the paragraph right before the quote in which Sproul argued that contemporary Evangelicals who reject infant baptism are in the minority and outnumbered compared to the number of denominations that hold to infant baptisms (to be fair he did mention these denominations tend to be smaller in actual size). Moreover even after he made the statement that it is dangerous to argue by appealing to the majority he later goes on to make the same kind of appeal. I found Sproul to be at his weakest in the book here; for instance he acknowledges that “the New Testament nowhere explicitly commands Christian to baptize their infant children” but in the same paragraph he says “But by the same token, there is no explicit prohibition in the New Testament against the baptism of infants.” Not only am I not convinced because this is an argument from silent, but I also wonder how the Regulative Principle of Worship that Presbyterian subscribes to applies here as a undercutting defeater to infant baptism within conservative Presbyterian’s own theological method. There’s more I can say about this chapter but in terms of some positive input I think this is worth reading to at least get the argument for infant baptism from Presbyterians themselves.
Overall a worthwhile work. I used this as a book one of our church’s small group was going through.
The book itself is divided into six chapters. The first chapter covered the relationship between baptism and salvation with Sproul making the nuanced point that baptism is important but that does not mean baptism is contrary to the Bible’s teaching that justification is by faith alone. Chapter two looks at John the Baptist’s ministry and baptism. Here I appreciated Sproul’s point that baptism was shocking in the period of second temple Judaism since it would have been a scandal that John the Baptism implied even the Jews also needed purification and not just Gentiles who converted. Chapter three looks at signs of Abraham’s covenant which Sproul ending the chapter with the question of what is the New Covenant sign which of course is Baptism. Chapter four then goes over the meaning of baptism which I felt was the meat of the book. Both chapters five and six are a bit more controversial among Christians and here we see Sproul’s Presbyterianism comes out. Concerning the discussion of modes of baptism in chapter five Sproul tries to argue for sprinkling as oppose to baptism by immersion. I didn’t think he presented necessarily the strongest case and I remained unconvinced. The most controversial chapter to me as a Christian with Baptist leaning is chapter six in which Sproul tried to argue his case for infant baptism. I know Sproul said that “it’s a very dangerous thing to try to discern what is the good and proper way to please God simply by counting noses…” but he goes ahead to make this type of argumentation in the paragraph right before the quote in which Sproul argued that contemporary Evangelicals who reject infant baptism are in the minority and outnumbered compared to the number of denominations that hold to infant baptisms (to be fair he did mention these denominations tend to be smaller in actual size). Moreover even after he made the statement that it is dangerous to argue by appealing to the majority he later goes on to make the same kind of appeal. I found Sproul to be at his weakest in the book here; for instance he acknowledges that “the New Testament nowhere explicitly commands Christian to baptize their infant children” but in the same paragraph he says “But by the same token, there is no explicit prohibition in the New Testament against the baptism of infants.” Not only am I not convinced because this is an argument from silent, but I also wonder how the Regulative Principle of Worship that Presbyterian subscribes to applies here as a undercutting defeater to infant baptism within conservative Presbyterian’s own theological method. There’s more I can say about this chapter but in terms of some positive input I think this is worth reading to at least get the argument for infant baptism from Presbyterians themselves.
Overall a worthwhile work. I used this as a book one of our church’s small group was going through.
May 2, 2015
This book is a helpful, brief, easy-to-read definition of baptism. Sproul looks at the whole of Scripture (showing the continuity between the old covenant and the new covenant) and explains what a sacrament is, and specifically what the sacrament of baptism is. He does a particularly great job of explaining John the Baptist’s baptism and how it is most definitely not New Testament baptism, or the baptism that Jesus instituted and commanded; his explanation of John’s baptism and how it relates to New Testament baptism is very helpful. Sproul also does a sound job of explaining the connection between circumcision and baptism, therefore explaining the continuity of the covenants and how the new covenant does not destroy the old covenant, but rather fulfills and builds upon the old covenant. Sproul gives a very brief, but nonetheless clear and helpful, explanation of infant baptism. He points to the fact that the new covenant is in every way more inclusive than the old covenant and, therefore, it would be very odd if the sign and seal of the new covenant did not include infants while the sign and seal of the old covenant did include infants, especially since the New Testament never tells the covenant community to withhold the sign and seal of the covenant from infants (as had always been practiced since the days of Abraham). He also briefly addresses the testimony of church history (all the way back to 150 AD) practicing infant baptism. This is a short book; therefore, Sproul does not belabor points or attempt to address every possible objection to a specific doctrine. This book is a very helpful and clear definition of what baptism is, which makes it a beneficial book for any believer to read in order to have a more clear view of one of the two sacraments of the church.
February 17, 2014
This is a very interesting book which seeks to explain the religious process of Baptism: The symbolic cleansing of a person with water either by pouring over the head or bodily immersion.
Baptism with water first appeared in the New Testament practiced by the Prophet John the Baptist who baptised many people and Jesus Christ Himself. After the death of John, Jesus made a new covenant with mankind to baptise them with the Holy Spirit rather than water.
The book explains the basic principals of baptism, why it is still important today and presents arguments on controversial topics such as: Is water Baptism still relevant today? Is it necessary for salvation? and should babies be baptised (otherwise known as Christened)
I don't agree with everything the book said as, although it tried to remain neutral to the points it was discussing, the author did state they believe there is a case for baptising babies whereas, as a Baptist, I don't believe it should be done.
It is a good book and worth picking up, particularly if you are considering being baptised yourself
Baptism with water first appeared in the New Testament practiced by the Prophet John the Baptist who baptised many people and Jesus Christ Himself. After the death of John, Jesus made a new covenant with mankind to baptise them with the Holy Spirit rather than water.
The book explains the basic principals of baptism, why it is still important today and presents arguments on controversial topics such as: Is water Baptism still relevant today? Is it necessary for salvation? and should babies be baptised (otherwise known as Christened)
I don't agree with everything the book said as, although it tried to remain neutral to the points it was discussing, the author did state they believe there is a case for baptising babies whereas, as a Baptist, I don't believe it should be done.
It is a good book and worth picking up, particularly if you are considering being baptised yourself
January 30, 2015
This is a very concise yet informative booklet on baptism. Having followed R.C. Sproul for a few years now, I was at least somewhat familiar with the arguments for paedobaptism presented in this book. However, after reading this (and after some other factors and some time spent studying the issue), I found myself actually persuaded, happily and Biblically so, into paedobaptism this time. His argument regarding 1 Corinthians 7 was very good at demonstrating, in my mind anyway, that the children of believers are in the covenant. If they are in the covenant, and baptism is the covenant sign, it only makes sense that they ought to be baptized.
Beyond that, it is very informative regarding the Reformed position and understanding on baptism, like its being a sign and seal of the covenant, how the mode doesn't necessarily have to be immersion, etc. I may need to re-read this just to solidify it in my mind more.
Many thanks to Dr. Sproul!
Beyond that, it is very informative regarding the Reformed position and understanding on baptism, like its being a sign and seal of the covenant, how the mode doesn't necessarily have to be immersion, etc. I may need to re-read this just to solidify it in my mind more.
Many thanks to Dr. Sproul!
November 27, 2015
The bottom line: A quick and solid summary of the principles behind baptism with some deviation on methods.
What is Baptism? succeeds by conveying the paramount importance of baptism in the lives of believers as well as carefully explaining the meaning behind the sacrament. What the reader is left with is a solid appreciation of baptism, its cardinal significance, and an awareness of many of the controversies surrounding the practice.
However, the author takes a stand to clarify some of the confusion surrounding baptism with some debatable results.
What is Baptism? begins by first ... http://www.chesadaphal.com/what-is-ba...
What is Baptism? succeeds by conveying the paramount importance of baptism in the lives of believers as well as carefully explaining the meaning behind the sacrament. What the reader is left with is a solid appreciation of baptism, its cardinal significance, and an awareness of many of the controversies surrounding the practice.
However, the author takes a stand to clarify some of the confusion surrounding baptism with some debatable results.
What is Baptism? begins by first ... http://www.chesadaphal.com/what-is-ba...
February 7, 2017
Sproul does a great job laying out the meaning of baptism as well as the different interpretations on it as a sacrament. It's been awhile since I've dipped (no pun intended) into the subject of baptism and I appreciated a lot of the thoughts and definitions of terms that he had to offer.
I also appreciated that he put in a section specifically for his case for infant baptism. I am not a paedobaptist, but I think it's important to hear the arguments and wrestle through the best that the paedobaptists have to offer. I'm still thoroughly credobaptist, but I enjoyed hearing some new arguments that I somehow hadn't heard before.
I also appreciated that he put in a section specifically for his case for infant baptism. I am not a paedobaptist, but I think it's important to hear the arguments and wrestle through the best that the paedobaptists have to offer. I'm still thoroughly credobaptist, but I enjoyed hearing some new arguments that I somehow hadn't heard before.
May 25, 2013
This was a quick read introducing the doctrine of Christian baptism from a reformed, covenantal and Presbyterian perspective. Being all of those things I am more inclined to agree with Sproul's position and explanation on Baptism. I particularly enjoyed the connection and clarification between the significance of the covenant God made with his people and the sign of the covenant both Old and New. Baptism can't be separated from its covenant significance and covenant can't be separated from its community significance.
Overall great intro that is accessible yet delves deep.
Overall great intro that is accessible yet delves deep.
August 18, 2013
8-16-2013 I am about to start reading this. Just letting you know that I believe in Believer's baptism and not the infant's baptism. I know that R.C. Sproul does believe in infant's baptism since he is a Presbyterian, and I am a Baptist. We both do have different view. It will be very interesting to see how they (Presbyterian) believe in infant's baptism (pedo baptism) and why!
It is very interesting to read how pedo baptism believe and very educational too. I don't agree with them since I am a credo baptist.
It is very interesting to read how pedo baptism believe and very educational too. I don't agree with them since I am a credo baptist.
May 23, 2016
Sproul is one of my favorite authors because of his conciseness and clarity. This is a great book on baptism that anyone can sit and read within an hour. R.C. makes a point of touching on all the major aspects of baptism that are popularly debated and gives answer that are both short and helpful. Among these topics are meaning, baptism as a covenant sign, mode, and the issue of infant baptism. I only rated the book as four stars because the book wasn't anything mind blowing for me. However, as an introductory book this is by far one of the most helpful.
September 10, 2016
The booklet is a good introduction to baptism and what it means. Of course, since it is a booklet, it only scratches the surface of the topic. Considering the space limitations, Sproul does a good job of clarifying the meaning of baptism and what happens at baptism. He also makes a good case for infant baptism, but in a relatively short chapter, he doesn't have much room to go into the arguments for or against it in much depth. The reader will want to use this booklet as a launching point for a more in-depth study.
January 7, 2014
I enjoyed this book. It's short, and a good explanation of what Baptism is. A case is made at the end for infant baptism, but I didn't feel like Sproul was trying to prove anything, other than the fact a case could be made for it, and that we should deal charitably with those who differ from us on it. (As a thus-far Credo-baptist, I appreciated his attitude as he made the case for infant baptism.)
August 29, 2015
A solid, but brief introduction to baptism with short sections on the covenant, the meaning of baptism, the mode, and infant baptism. Typical Sproul, clear without being too specific, gets his point across without being mean to those who disagree. A good little booklet to hand out to new believers.
March 21, 2016
R.C. Sproul provides a good overview of the origins and meaning of baptism. While I do not agree with his conclusions regarding the right mode and recipients for baptism, it has helped me gain a better understanding for why and how some evangelical Christians might argue for pouring or sprinkling as well as for baptising infants. His arguments provided some insight, but did not convince me.
January 16, 2017
History laden treatment of the sacrament of Baptism within the Christian church. From looking at creeds and scripture, to church history and heresy. Baptismal means, modes, and effectual applications are also examined. This is a worthy primer on the topic, regardless of your particular denominational point of view application.
January 30, 2018
Superb concise explanation on the sign of Christ’s cleansing and sealing.
Fantastic summation of what baptism is and how biblically significant the practice is. Dr. Sproul enables the Christian and skeptic alike to gain a firm understanding of the sign of baptism in the life of a believer.
Fantastic summation of what baptism is and how biblically significant the practice is. Dr. Sproul enables the Christian and skeptic alike to gain a firm understanding of the sign of baptism in the life of a believer.
April 17, 2014
Great Overview of the Covenant View of Baptism
Very good overview of the covenant view of baptism by R.C. Sproul. He really helped me to understand where paedobaptists are coming from and why they stand where they stand scripturally.
Very good overview of the covenant view of baptism by R.C. Sproul. He really helped me to understand where paedobaptists are coming from and why they stand where they stand scripturally.
February 1, 2016
Excellent
Must read. This is a question that dogs the christian church and causes separation between believers. If more people read and learned from this book, I believe the christian movement would be stronger, healthy and happier.
Must read. This is a question that dogs the christian church and causes separation between believers. If more people read and learned from this book, I believe the christian movement would be stronger, healthy and happier.
May 25, 2016
This was very informative. I like how Sproul said that generally people who differ in their views are not usually just in spite of another belief, but it is because they want to hold to what is right Biblically. I enjoyed the history of and the why's the different views were brought up.
November 12, 2017
No encontré lo que estaba buscando en el libro
No aportó nuevos argumentos que yo no conociera a favor del bautismo de niños... y esta fue la principal razón por la que me decidí a leerlo.
No aportó nuevos argumentos que yo no conociera a favor del bautismo de niños... y esta fue la principal razón por la que me decidí a leerlo.
June 14, 2013
With his characteristic fair-mindedness R.C. explains not just what baptism is, but contrasts the Roman Catholic position with the Protestant one, and makes the case for infant baptism as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews