Best Books on The Baptists
This category traces the history, confessions, and convictions of the Baptist tradition, especially the Reformed or Particular Baptists who held Calvinistic soteriology while practicing believer's baptism by immersion and congregational church government. It covers the movement's roots in 17th century England, its confessional documents such as the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689, and the ongoing baptism debate between Baptists and paedobaptist Reformed churches.
Start Here
basic
The Baptist Story: From English Sect to Global Movement
Top pickAnthony L. Chute, Nathan A. Finn, and Michael A.G. Haykin · 2015
An accessible narrative history spanning four centuries of Baptist life worldwide.
The Baptist Confession of Faith and Baptist Catechism
Benjamin Keach (compiler); Solid Ground Christian Books · 2005
The 1689 London Confession and Keach's Catechism together, the founding texts of Reformed Baptist belief.
Why I Am a Baptist
Tom J. Nettles and Russell D. Moore (eds.) · 2001
Accessible essays from pastors and scholars explaining Baptist identity and convictions.
Baptists Through the Centuries: A History of a Global People
David W. Bebbington · 2010
A readable global history that traces Baptists from their English origins to today.
Go Deeper
intermediate
Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ
Top pickThomas R. Schreiner and Shawn D. Wright (eds.) · 2006
The definitive scholarly case for credobaptism against infant baptism, essay by essay.
The Baptists: Beginnings in Britain, Vol. 1
Thomas J. Nettles · 2005
Biographical profiles of the earliest English Baptist leaders and their convictions.
The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith in Modern English
Stan Reeves (ed.) · 2015
An updated, annotated study edition of the confession for modern readers and church study.
God's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology
Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum · 2015
A shorter, more accessible entry into the Baptist covenantal framework of progressive covenantalism.
For Study
advanced
Edification and Beauty: The Practical Ecclesiology of the English Particular Baptists, 1675-1705
Top pickJames M. Renihan · 2008
A rigorous historical study of how the earliest Particular Baptists actually built their churches.
Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants (2nd ed.)
Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum · 2018
A major academic defense of the covenant theology distinctive to Reformed Baptist thought.
A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689
Rob Ventura (ed.) · 2019
A scholarly, multi-contributor chapter by chapter exposition of the 1689 Confession.
A Complete Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity
John Gill · 1839
The 18th century Baptist theologian's massive systematic theology, a primary source classic.
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A tiered reading guide of the best books on The Baptists.