Baptism

Baptism: Answers to Common Questions by Guy M. Richard addresses frequently asked questions about the doctrine and practice of baptism, offering a concise, accessible treatment written from within the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition.

Dr. Richard organizes the book around eleven chapters that move from foundational questions—What is baptism? What does it mean?—to more complex matters such as the mode of baptism, the biblical case for including the children of believers, the significance of household baptisms in the New Testament, and the relationship between circumcision and baptism within covenant theology. The book also engages directly with Baptist objections, including arguments drawn from Jeremiah 31 and the nature of new covenant membership.

Rather than offering a one-sided polemic, the book acknowledges broad areas of agreement among Christians on baptism while carefully examining the points of disagreement. Dr. Richard draws on extended biblical argumentation, tracing themes across both Testaments and demonstrating how the continuity between the Abrahamic covenant and the new covenant informs the church’s baptismal practice. The final chapter considers the practical implications of baptism for Christian families, including the spiritual status of believers’ children and the blessing that baptism conveys within the covenant community.

Key Themes

• The meaning of baptism as a sign of cleansing and union with Christ
• Covenant continuity between circumcision and baptism across the Testaments
• The biblical basis for baptizing the children of professing believers
• Charitable engagement with Baptist arguments and objections
• Practical implications of baptism for Christian households

Featured Quotes

“The areas of disagreement—though they have taken center stage—are not the whole story.”

“He is the continuity between all of the divine covenants.”