Frederick W Grant

The scripture that bids me be ready to give an answer to every man that asks a reason of the hope that is in me (1 Peter 3:15), may, in the spirit of it, if not the letter, be the justification of the present paper. Among many of those with whom I have the fullest sympathy and fellowship in spiritual things it is plain that there is more and more question of such views as I must acknowledge mine, — branded even as heresy by some; by others, considered at least to be the result of laborious reasonings — the fruit of intellectualism intruding upon what is the province of faith ( — of "leprosy in the head," as some claim). On the other hand, of all that to my knowledge has been written upon the subject, — and this will be thought, perhaps, a sufficiently damaging admission, — I am aware of nothing that exactly expresses the doctrine for which I am willing to be held responsible, and which I believe to be the doctrine of Scripture upon the subject. If, then, all Scripture be profitable," it would not be of faith to hold back what in my apprehension it teaches upon such a matter as baptism. Even for those who after all may never agree with me, it may do what is of more importance even than this, — it may show how little the faith as a whole is affected by different views about it, and how those who so differ may preserve unhindered the unity of the Spirit, and walk in love and peace together.