Baptism: Its Symbolism, Significance, and Importance

The late Reverend Andrew L. Byers, the author of this booklet was reared in a Christian home. For this heritage he was thankful. He was born in 1869 on a farm near Albany, Ill. He became a Christian in 1887 and was baptised April 15, 1888. In 1890 he was ordained to the ministry in the Church of God. He departed this life on Nov. 9, 1952, in Sacramento, Cal.

Pursuant to many requests that he comment on the subject of baptism, showing its importance and whether it is necessary to complete one’s salvation, the author prepared the following dissertation, which really shows also the origin or derivation of baptism as well as its symbolism.

His aim has been to develop these and to point out with particular attention that baptism cannot precede but must follow regeneration, and therefore that the idea of baptismal regeneration is erroneous. Were these misconceptions of baptism merely a matter of speculative interest, they might well be over-looked in the interest of unity and harmony, but they are not. They strike at the very foundation of salvation.

As this treatise is necessarily didactic in style it will be well to peruse it studiously and to look up and read the Scriptural references. May the reader find it interesting and informative.  — VIRGIL A. BYERS.