William the Baptist: A Classic Story of a Man's Journey to Understand Baptism (Chaney)

"On a bright summer evening, about the middle of June, as Pastor Cowan was sitting with his wife on their front porch, William Meadows, a promising lawyer, passed by.."

So beigns one young man's journey to understand and reconsider the Bible's true position on baptism. When William marries into a church denomination that is very different from his own, he finds himself struggling to reconcile two opposite views on baptism. Through a series of conversations with a wise, older pastor, William strips away his preconceptions about baptism and returns to the plain, clear truth that the Bible teaches.

James Chaney first used this unique format of personal dialogue to explore baptism and its modes in this timeless book, and his observations are just as powerful and needed today. He sheds light on a controversial topic by confining his argument to the Word of God alone, first examining the meaning of baptism through its uses in Scriptures, then exploring the significance of the ceremony, and finally examine the evidence of cases of baptism in the New Testament

Take a fresh look at baptism by sitting in on these conversations yourself, now edited and updated for a modern audience by Ronald Evans. And, as the editor observes, "May it refreshing and enlightening once again to have William the Baptist pose his questions - questions for which there are satisfying answers."

Table of Contents:

1. Domestic Peace
2. Agreement to Disagree
3. Which Church and How?
4. First Evening: Valid, But Not Scriptural
5. Second Evening: From Quantity to Action
6. Third Evening, Part 1: Buried with Him in Baptism
7. Third Evening, Part 2: Buried Together with Him into Death
8. Fourth Evening: The Work of the Holy Spirit
9. Fifth Evening, Part 1: Fulfilling All Righteousness
10. Fifth Evening, Part 2: Baptizing with Water
11. Sixth Evening, Part 1: Baptized at Once
12. Sixth Evening, Part 2: Poured Out, Poured On
13. Seventh Evening: Simplicity of Service
14. Adding To, or Taking From?
15. A Positive Command: Keep My Covenant
16. Two Covenants, Once Church
17. Children of the Covenant 

Author 

James M. Chaney (1831–1909) graduated from the William Jewell College in Missouri, received a Masters degree from King College in Tennessee, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. He was ordained in 1858 by the Lafayette Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, Missouri.

Endorsements 

"A Narrative that is fast-moving and biblically engaging, here is a page-turner that Ron evans has enhanced by updating it into today's language. An intriguing short read with lifelong implications." - Harry L. Reeder III, senior pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama

“With warmth and imagination, Chaney uses an engaging story-telling method, winsomely guiding readers through the Bible’s teaching on baptism. William the Baptist is an enlightening read for all who assume the Bible teaches credo-baptism and immersion. Chaney’s persuasive book also provides a confessional corrective to hyper-covenantalism, poised to infuse baptism with medieval efficacy. With editorial and theological integrity, Ron Evans has breathed refreshing life into this important 19th century volume, making the Reformed doctrine of baptism understandable to all Christians. An invaluable resource for exploring the meaning of baptism.”  Douglas Bond, author of THE BETRAYAL, a novel on John Calvin, and GUNS OF PROVIDENCE.