Baptism: What Saith the Scripture?

By H. A. Ironside

Baptism: What Saith the Scripture was originally written in 1901 by the notable pastor, speaker, and author H. A. Ironside.  The book is offered here, professionally edited by Kenneth P. Lenz, as a complimentary e-book with the option of ordering a printed copy for a modest cost.  A more comprehensive (70-chapter) book by the editor is available, titled Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism: As Taught in the Scriptures, with an Expanded Edition (86 chapters) now available as an e-book, also with the "print on demand" option.  These books are being offered so as to clear up much confusion on the issue of baptism.  Reading merely the chapters of introduction and conclusion will demonstrate this objective in these books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Agape Book Ministries
• Release date: Dec 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223793946

Book preview

Foreword

I am honored to write the Foreword for a book written on a subject that very much needs clarifications and by a pastor who has had a most solid grasp on Scripture.  Harry Ironside was a beloved Canadian-American Bible teacher and preacher who wrote numerous books and pastored the Moody Church in Chicago from 1929 to 1948.  It is estimated that he preached nearly 7,000 sermons to over 1.25 million listeners from 1916 to 1929, even prior to accepting the call to pastor Moody Church, and he continued to be an itinerate preacher while also serving as a pastor.

More than 100 of Ironside’s books and booklets were published between 1901 and 1947, beginning with this book on baptism.  As can be seen from the Table of Contents, Dr. Ironside addresses many aspects of baptism, and he links them in a logical order—often with a sentence that connects one chapter to the next, including the chapter title in the sentence (as you will see).  He also makes an effort to relate various kinds of baptisms so as to give a rationale for why they are called baptisms.

In my comprehensive book titled, Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism: As Taught in the Scriptures, my focus was to distinguish between the various baptisms, noting that the word baptism is a transliteration of the Greek noun "baptisma, which means immersion" (in its primary definition within that culture).  There are, of course, reasons for why the approach to distinguish them in my books (including the Expanded Edition) is different from the approach of Ironside to relate them to one another.  I’ll leave it to the reader to determine which approach you prefer.  May God bless your reading and, ultimately, the understanding and application of His Word.

I should also mention that I have edited this book on Baptism in addition to editing Dr. Ironside’s book titled, Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth: Ultra-Dispensationalism Examined in the Light of Holy Scripture.  My edits in both books were in matters of consistency and formatting for better readability (such as with indented paragraphs), as well as inserting Scripture references and brief clarifications in brackets where those would be helpful to a reader.  I would note, however, that in the Draft2Digital conversion process of these books, some formatting (such as paragraph indentations) were not maintained, though this has no bearing on the excellent content.

Dr. Ironside’s book on "Ultra-Dispensationalism" is on a subject related to my book titled, What Scriptural Evidence Is There for a Mid-Acts or Post-Acts Dispensation? with its sequel book titled, Is Water Baptism for Today?   It is my prayer that all of these books will honor God and His Word in our lives.

In His grace and for His glory,

Rev. Kenneth P. Lenz, Ph.D.

November 2023

www.KenLenz.com

Preface to Second Edition

Several years having elapsed since the first publication of this booklet, and a new edition being called for, I have considerably revised my former paper, though altering nowhere the teaching therein set forth.  Further study and experience have only confirmed what was first written, although I believe I see many kindred truths in a much fuller, broader way than I did some years ago.  The revision consists largely of additional matter which I hope may make clearer what is now sent out, and commended to the prayerful consideration of the people of God into whose hands it may fall.

The great essential is Christ, not baptism; but they who love His name will seek to keep His Word.  But in this it is well to remember that an unkind, critical spirit is far more to be deplored than divergent views and practices in regard to ordinances, however precious.

H. A. IRONSIDE

Fruitvale, California; March 1913

Preface to First Edition

While, in the pages that follow, controversy has been so far as possible (consistently with the object of presenting what I believe to be the truth as to Baptism) sedulously avoided, yet it is hoped a careful perusal may prove helpful even to those who have been troubled by conflicting views.  The pamphlet presents the conclusions I have been obliged to come to after utterly denying for a number of years any