[Samuel H. Ford, Baptist Waymarks, ABPS, 1903. The document was provided by Pastor Steve Lecrone. Typed from the original by Linda Duvall; formatted by Jim Duvall.]
Editor's note: This book was published by the Amercian Baptist Publication Society, Philadelphia, PA.
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Baptist Waymarks
By Samuel H. Ford, 1903To the baptized believers
associated by covenant in faith and fellowship into distinct and independent gospel churches, the representatives in these changed times of apostolic doctrine and ordinance; to those who during the whole gospel dispensation have borne above the thunders of anathemas and the flames of persecution their fearless protest against the abandonment of the truth as it is in Jesus; who have stood like a stone wall "by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" - a peculiar people kept by the power of God - these waymarks in the wilderness are prayerfully and lovingly subscribed.
CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. Introduction 7
II. What is a Gospel Church? 12
III. How is a Gospel Church Formed? 16
IV. What Constitutes Believers a Gospel Church? 20
V. Is Baptism the Door into a Gospel Church? 24
VI. Notes and Comments -- Church Fellowship 33
VII. The Officers of a Gospel Church --
Choice, Qualifications, and Ordination of Ministers 39
VIII. Confession of Faith by Abraham Booth at his Ordination 43
IX. Laying on of Hands in Ordination 57
X. Qualifications, Duties, and Ordination of Deacons 61
XI. Public Worship -- Praise, Prayer, Preaching,
and the Lord's Supper 66
XII. Church Discipline 81
XIII. As to Deposing a Baptist Minister 92
XIV. The Independence of a Church 97
XV. Sovereignty of Church or Association 99
XVI. The Right of a Church to Receive into its
Fellowship Excluded Members 116
XVII. When Were the First Gospel Churches or Church Formed? 122
XVIII. Irregular Immersion 130
XIX. Alien Immersions 135
XX. The Inclusive and Exclusive Character of a Gospel Church,
the "Old Landmark" 137
XXI. The Name Baptist 142
XXII. Are Baptists Protestants? 151
XXIII. Baptist History 155
XXIV. In Regard to Baptist Succession 161
Appendix A. A Declaration of Faith -- New Hampshire 164
Appendix B. Spread of Baptist Principles 185
Appendix C. Scriptural Apostolic Baptism 189==================
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