Baptism in the New Testament

by George Raymond Beasley-Murray

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.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, New Testament, Christian

422 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1969

Reviews

[Brian Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dense but readable. Made worse by an unexamined modernist and colonial mindset but what else can you expect from a Brit in the ‘60s.

[John Dube · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not always fun, but hard to imagine a more thorough treatment.

[C.J. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Beasley-Murray’s Baptism in the New Testament to be a rather informative read, even if it wasn’t at all times delightful for me. Its major strength lies in the author’s ability to deal so comprehensively and absolutely with his subject. I especially appreciated how diligent Beasley-Murray was to address the “antecedents of Christian baptism” (1-44). Though I don’t think he would say these “antecedents” of baptism sufficiently define and explain it for us, his pointing to the importance of “lustrations” in the Old Testament was helpful to show the history behind ceremonial washings and how they might’ve played some role of importance in the early church’s understanding of baptism and how the latter went beyond the external toward a concern for the internal (1-10). Of course, John’s baptism was important too, but the author helpfully distinguishes it from Jesus’ baptism.

Of course, as one would expect, Beasley-Murray is most thorough in his treatment of the New Testament texts concerning baptism. He deals both with those that are explicitly about baptism but also with those that make allusions to baptism. In my limited reading on the subject, I have not found a work of more substantiality. In his chapters on “The Foundation of Christian Baptism,” “The Emergence of Christian Baptism, and “The Development of Christian Baptism in the Apostolic Writings,” the author not only provides a thorough biblical theology of Christian baptism, but he also does a supreme job of exegesis, going over and over again back to the original languages to support his claims, while at the same time providing nuance—i.e., noting and refuting the claims of those he disagrees with. His section against infant baptism was helpful and needed, in light of his conclusions of baptism presented in the chapter, “The Doctrine of Christian Baptism in the New Testament.”

Again, though I found the book to be overly informative, it was not at all times delightful. As helpful as the first four chapters are, they are woodenly written and surprisingly dry. The writing style of these first four chapters was much different than the rhetoric the author takes in chapter five, where he was much clearer about his conclusions on baptism.

Before chapter five, I found the most insightful contribution of Beasley-Murray to be his belief that baptism is an “occasion.” However, this doesn’t mean that I was quick to agree with him, and I’m still working through this. He elaborates on this throughout the book, and this explanation of baptism (i.e., as an “occasion,” “place,” or “context”) helps the reader to understand why baptism is more than a “symbol with power,” but also a “sacrament” (263). God bestows certain graces through the event of baptism that—it seems—the believer might otherwise not obtain. Beasley-Murray believes that the “Lord... meets us in the Christian βάπτισμα” (262).

[Jacob Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very important and helpful work on Baptism in general and particularly Baptismal efficacy from a Baptist perspective. I am a 1689 Reformed Baptist, and this book, with its thorough, exhaustive exegesis, helped me develop a more sacramental theology within the confessional boundaries.

Some of the exegetical work becomes tedious reading at times. This is partially because of Beasley-Murray's writing style, but it is also the case for me because I already knew where he was going with the exegesis and didn't need to hear the arguments all over again that I've already made before reading the book. If you disagree with the author, it may be more engaging to read the exegesis.

Luckily, the best part of the book can be read without having read every line of his exegesis: chapter 5. Here, Beasley-Murray systematizes his exegesis into a relatively short systematic theology of baptism. It is extremely helpful.

[Mandimby Ranaivoarisoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is one of the most thorough works on Baptism, which every scholar and church minister would do well to have on his shelf regardless of one’s agreement or disagreement with its premises and conclusions. Beasley-Murray’s presentation is still fairly ‘Baptist’ and his material on the historical investigations on infant baptism is certainly of great value.

[Einar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and concise! It's amazing how much information a mere 400 pages can contain.

Though I can't say I agree with all of the author's arguments and conclusions, I admire the clearness with which he writes. I might not agree, but I do understand.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on credobaptism and a must read.

[Blake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh! That's the best way I know to describe this book. Several times while reading it, I had to research the author to make sure he was truly a Baptist and not one who believes in baptismal regeneration. As one of the leading spokespersons for the Baptist view of baptism, I know he represents well, many of the Southern Baptist perspectives, yet the book as a whole, seemed more like a very wordy, much too long, very confusing book written to explain baptism in the New Testament. It was, in short, a convoluted book that was a brutal read. It's not that everything the author wrote is wrong (from my perspective) but more so, so many parts of it are just downright confusing. Certainly there are better books out there amongst Baptists that can address the topic with much more clarity. I would not be the best sales person for this book as I found it a burden to read.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An superb exegetical approach to Christian baptism, Beasley-Murray digests every major passage and possible allusions (Johannine sacramentology) regarding baptism. Beasley is unique in that he does not ascribe to the stereotypical Baptist method of conversion of faith alone, but suggests that baptism is both integral to the Gospel message and essential for salvation. This is a work that needs reconsideration from all sides as it takes a balanced view of the faith v. baptism debate that rages between the Restoration movement and Baptists. A highly-recommended read.

[Larry Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

the definitive text on christian baptism

[Diane Badger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am thrilled that someone felt compelled to put all this information about baptism in one book. Glad it wasn't me