The Baptism of Disciples Alone
by Fred Malone
Founders Press 2003
ISBN 0-9713361-3-X

This book sets out to prove that the Bible authorizes only credobaptism, the baptism of disciples alone. It will be of great help to those who desire a better understanding of the Baptist position for credobaptism versus paedobaptism. The book is published with the help of the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America. The book is hardcover, 320 pages, and will retail for $27.95 each. Quantities of more than one are to be ordered directly from Founders Press. ARBCA churches may call the ARBCA office about quantity discounts from ARBCA.

An Excerpt from the Author's Preface:

As a former Presbyterian minister, I baptized two of my infants. I was sincere. It was meaningful. I believed that paedobaptism was biblical. However, I was sincerely and biblically wrong. Now, I am convinced that the baptism authorized by the Bible is the baptism of disciples. In fact, I believe the Bible authorizes the baptism of disciples alone. This position may also be called credobaptism, from the Latin verb credo, meaning believe or trust. Other designations are believer?s baptism, confessor?s baptism, or professor?s baptism, all synonyms describing the baptism of disciples alone. Hoping to be gracious toward my paedobaptist friends and mentors, the purpose of this book is to prove that the Bible authorizes only disciple?s baptism. This book is also written, however, to help parents, pastors and laymen better understand the Baptist position for credobaptism versus paedobaptism so they can decide which local church to join and serve in.

Commendations:

?Fred Malone has written one of the most important books on baptism to appear in at least the last two hundred years?and every thoughtful Christian will find The Baptism of Disciples Alone to be an essential guide to thinking through the debate between what Dr. Malone rightly identifies as the ?paedobaptists? and the ?credobaptists.? The Lord Jesus Christ set baptism at the center of Christian worship and as the defining mark of Christian identity. Dr. Malone is a scholar and pastor who argues with biblical passion and instructs by personal testimony. He presents his case with the skill of an attorney, the conviction of a theologian, and the care of a faithful pastor?and he is right! We are all in his debt.?
- Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

?Fred Malone presents the best case I have seen for believers? baptism from a covenantal perspective. This outstanding book deserves to be widely read and studied by everyone involved in the baptism discussion.?
- Dr. Timothy George, Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, Executive Editor, Christianity Today

?Dr. Malone does a masterful job of arguing from Covenant Theology to Credobaptism. His understanding and use of Jeremiah 31 places the issue of the subjects of baptism in its proper biblical context ? the New Covenant and its positive laws. His understanding and application of the Regulative Principle of Worship as it relates to the subjects of baptism presents a dilemma for paedobaptism. I am delighted to see this work in print!?
- Richard Barcellos, Palmdale Reformed Baptist Church, Palmdale, CA

?Every Baptist will welcome Dr. Malone?s volume as being a new champion of the cause of truth. It should have immense usefulness for pastors and churches as a tool for teaching covenant theology and as an aid in controversy about the subjects of baptism.?
- Walter J. Chantry, Editor, The Banner of Truth magazine

?For nearly two thousand years, Christians have wrestled with the questions surrounding baptism: What does baptism mean? Who should be baptized? How should they be baptized?. Fred Malone's book is the best analysis of the subject of baptism in the past 25 years. As a good scholar and faithful churchman, Dr. Malone knows that critical issues are at stake regarding the church's beliefs and practices on baptism. The doctrine of salvation and the work of Christ, the doctrine of the church, the practice of evangelism, the practice of church membership, the New Testament teaching on discipleship and sanctification, and the doctrine and practice of the Christian home are all intimately involved with one's understanding of baptism.

Fred Malone has done the whole Christian family, not just the Baptists, a great service and honored his Master with this probing exegetical and theological study. He is respectful and irenic to those with whom he disagrees. May this study spark a reformation among pastors and churches to reform their own doctrine and practice according to the Scriptures and not blindly follow the traditions of the elders.?
- Steve Martin, Pastor, Heritage Church, Fayetteville, Georgia

About the author:

Fred Malone is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Clinton, Louisiana. He received the MDiv degree from Reformed Theological Seminary (1974) and the PhD degree in New Testament from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1989). He is the author of A String of Pearls Unstrung and co-wrote with Ernest C. Reisinger the introduction to the republished version of Abstracts of Systematic Theology by James P. Boyce. Dr, Malone serves as a trustee of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also a Board Member of Founders Ministries and serves on the Theological Committee of the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches in America.

Publisher Info:

Founders Press
P.O. Box 150931
Cape Coral, Florida 33915
(239) 772-1400 ? phone
(239) 772-1140 ? fax
www.founders.org

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