Midwest Center for Theological Studies: Owensboro, KY

Feb 22, 2010

Part II: Interview with Dr. Crampton (from paedobaptism to credobaptism)

Richard Barcellos | 3 Comments | Login to comment

Q4: What are some of the books that helped you along in the process to credobaptism and can you tell us a little about some or all of them?

A4: There are a number of books which were influential in my study of this subject. I will list some of the most persuasive: Fred Malone’s The Baptism of Disciples Alone, Mike Renihan’s Antipaedobaptism in the Thought of John Tombes, Henry Danvers A Treatise on Baptism, David Kingdon’s Children of Abraham, Samuel Waldron’s Biblical Baptism: A Reformed Defense of Believer’s Baptism, Richard Barcellos’ Paedobaptism or Credobaptism?, and especially Paul K. Jewett’s Infant Baptism and the Covenant of Grace. But perhaps the studies that were more convincing than anything else were two lecture series, one was William Einwechter’s The Great Debate Over Baptism and the Covenant and the other was Pastor Greg Nichols’ tape series on “Infant Baptism.” It is also interesting that the “failed” attempts of several paedobaptist books also had a great affect on my thinking on this subject. That is, the proponents of infant baptism simply did not answer the questions raised against paedobaptism.

Q5: Do you think infant baptism violates the Westminster Confession’s doctrine of the regulative principle of worship? If so, how?

A5: Yes, I do believe that the practice of infant baptism is a violation of the “regulative principle” of worship. I explain this in some detail in my forthcoming book on the subject, but (as cited in my book) basically the problem is this: If there is no express command given in Scripture to baptize infants, and if there is no direct evidence for the practice of infant baptism, then to administer infant baptism in the worship service is a violation of the regulative principle. I would suggest that those interested in finding out more on this matter see what I have said in my book. Fred Malone also deals with this issue in his The Baptism of Disciples Alone.

Category: Sacraments

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