UNDERSTANDING FOUR VIEWS ON BAPTISM
• Thomas J. Nettles
• Richard L. Pratt Jr.
• Robert Kolb
• John D. Castelein
• John H. Armstrong general editor
• Paul E. Engle series editor
Understanding Four Views on Baptism
Copyright © 2007 by John H. Armstrong
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Nettles, Tom J.
Understanding four views on baptism / Thomas J. Nettles, Richard L. Pratt Jr., Robert Kolb.
p. cm.—(Counterpoints)
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
ISBN-13: 978-0-310-26267-1
ISBN-10: 0-310-26267-4
1. Baptism—History of doctrines. I. Pratt, Richards L., 1953– II. Kolb, Robert. III. Title.
BV811.3.N48 2006
234′.161—dc22
2006026525
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Introduction: Division, Differences, and a Dream
JOHN H. ARMSTRONG
Baptism as a Symbol of Christ’s Saving Work
THOMAS J. NETTLES
RICHARD L. PRATT JR.
ROBERT KOLB
A Christian Churches/Churches of Christ Response
JOHN D. CASTELEIN
Baptism as a Sacrament of the Covenant
RICHARD L. PRATT JR.
THOMAS J. NETTLES
ROBERT KOLB
A Christian Churches/Churches of Christ Response
JOHN D. CASTELEIN
God’s Baptismal Act as Regenerative
ROBERT KOLB
THOMAS J. NETTLES
RICHARD L. PRATT JR.
A Christian Churches/Churches of Christ Response
JOHN D. CASTELEIN
4. CHRISTIAN CHURCHES/CHURCHES OF CHRIST VIEW:
Believers’ Baptism as the Biblical Occasion of Salvation
JOHN D. CASTELEIN
THOMAS J. NETTLES
RICHARD L. PRATT JR.
ROBERT KOLB
Conclusion: Finding Common Ground Amid Disagreement and Agreement
JOHN H. ARMSTRONG
Appendix 1: All Instances of the Words for Baptism in the New Testament
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About Understanding Four Views on BaptismWhat is the significance of water baptism? Who should be baptized? Is infant baptism scriptural? Which is the proper baptismal mode: sprinkling, pouring, or immersion? Should people be rebaptized if they join a church that teaches a different form of baptism? Should baptism be required for church membership? These and other questions are explored in this thought-provoking book. Contents and contributors: • “Baptist View: Baptism as a Symbol of Christ’s Saving Work,” Thomas J. Nettles • “Reformed View: Baptism as a Sacrement of the Covenant,” Richard L. Pratt, Jr. • “Lutheran View: God’s Baptismal Act as Regenerative,” Robert Kolb • “Christian Churches/Churches of Christ View: Believers’ Baptism as the Biblical Occasion of Salvation,” John D. Castelein |
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