The Baptism of Disciples Alone: A Covenantal Argument for Credobaptism Versus Paedobaptism

by Fred A. Malone

Publisher:

Founders Press

, 2003

Overview

As a former Presbyterian minister, I baptized two of my infants. I was sincere. It was meaningful. I believed that infant baptism (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.

From the Author’s Preface.

Key Features

• Argues that the Bible exclusively authorizes the baptism of disciples, also known as credobaptism
• Aims to graciously prove the biblical basis for disciple’s baptism over infant baptism
• Helps readers understand the Baptist position on credobaptism to inform their church affiliation decisions

Contents

• Foreword
• Preface
• Introduction
• Why Write This Book
• The Covenantal Baptist Position Briefly Stated
• Part I: Preliminary Principles (Hermeneutics, Authority and Baptism)
• 1. No Straw Men
• 2. Biblical Principles of Interpretation and Infant Baptism
• Part II: The String of Pearls (Covenant Theology, The New Covenant and Baptism)
• 3. The Covenant Theology of the Bible (Part 1)
• 4. The Covenant Theology of the Bible (Part 2)
• 5. The Relationship between Circumcision and Baptism
• 6. Household Baptism, “the Oikos Formula” and Infant Baptism
• 7. Answering the Infant Baptism Proof-Texts
• 8. Jesus’ Attitude Toward Children
• 9. The Disjunction of John’s and Jesus’ Baptisms with Christian Baptism
• 10. The Weight of Precept, the Argument of Silence And the Regulative Principle of Worship
• 11. The Argument of Expanded Blessings to “Covenant Children”
• 12. The Testimony of Tradition and the Historical Argument of Silence
• 13. What Difference Does It Make?
• 14. Postlude: A Final Appeal to Build Baptist Churches
• Appendix A: Spurgeon on Baptism
• Appendix B: The Proper Mode of Biblical Baptism
• Appendix C: Book Review of The Biblical Doctrine of Infant Baptism by Pierre Marcel
• Appendix D: Appendix to the 1689 London Baptist
• Confession
• Appendix E: Book Review of The Case for Covenantal Infant Baptism by Gregg Strawbridge
• Appendix F: Extreme Covenantalism Rejected
• Selected Bibliography
• Index of Subjects
• Index of Authors
• Index of Scripture References

Praise for The Baptism of Disciples Alone

This book is an exegetical tour de force that is seasoned with pastoral wisdom and costly experience. No one should consider himself sufficiently studied on the subject of baptism until he has read the arguments of this paedobaptist-turned-credobaptist theologian.

—Dr. Tom Ascol, Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral, FL, President, Founders Ministries, Author of From The Protestant Reformation to Southern Baptist Convention and Editor of Dear Timothy: Letters On Pastoral Ministry

Fred Malone has examined the issue of credobaptism and paedobaptism from inside and out on both accounts. His defense of credobaptism is written with kindness and understanding along with a firm persuasion of the truth of the baptism of believers only. Exegetically, doctrinally, and ecclesiologically this book gives clarity to a debate that is now some centuries old. The conscientious holders of either doctrinal position will benefit from an honest evaluation of Fred Malone’s carefully developed defense of Believer’s baptism.

—Tom J. Nettles, Senior Professor, The Southern Baptist Theologica Seminary, Founding Faculty, Insitute of Public Theology, Author of By His Grace and For His Glory and Praise Is His Gracious Choice

This is the most important book-length argument for the baptism of disciples alone in print today. I know of no other book like it. Its case is built on the sound hermeneutics of the Reformed tradition and the Bible’s covenant theology. Malone writes from a place of deep conviction born out of much wrestling with the Scriptures and its implications for baptism. Though he served comfortably as a Presbyterian pastor for years, Malone changed his position and became a Baptist because his conscience was held captive by the Word of God.

—Dr. Tom Hicks, Pastor, First Baptist Church BC Clinton, LA, Visiting Professor of Historical Theology, Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: The Baptism of Disciples Alone: A Covenant Argument for Credobaptism versus Paedobaptism
• Author: Fred A. Malone
• Publisher: Founders Press
• Print Publication Date: 2003
• Logos Release Date: 2003
• Pages: 361
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Baptism Biblical teachin; Baptism Religious aspects Christianit; Infant baptis
• ISBNs: 9781943539604, 194353960X
• Resource ID: LLS:BPTSMDSCPDBPTSM
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-08-14T14:11:15Z

About Fred A. Malone

Fred Malone is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Clinton, Louisiana. He earned his MDiv from Reformed Theological Seminary and his PhD in New Testament from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Malone is a board member of Founders Ministries, the Midwest Center for Theological Studies, the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies, and serves on the administrative council of the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches in America.