From the Gospel Standard, 1892

"The way the Shepherd trod,
We freely choose to go;
Moved by the powerful love of God,
We leave this world below."

We call it believers' baptism, because it is for believers - yes, for believers. We find that on the day of Pentecost, when Peter preached such a memorable sermon, the Holy Ghost worked by his ministry and three thousand souls were converted; they knew not what to do; they were pricked in their hearts about their eternal state, and cried out, "Men and brethren, what must we do to be saved?" Then they had faith given them to see Jesus Christ, and were baptized.

This was the way for them, because they were believers; so it is for believers now, not specially for those that have long-standing faith and experience, but really and truly it is for babes in Christ, as well as young men and fathers. There is no stage of experience that can be spoken of that excludes a child of God from following the Lord Jesus Christ, at least you will not be able to find one in the Scriptures. I have looked in the Testament, for I have wondered whether one should remain a few years, to prove whether he is in the faith or not; whether he should remain four or five years outside a truly Christian church, But I do not find anything of that sort anywhere in the Scripture. We read of deacons, that they shall be proved, because the office of deacon is very important -looking after the sick, praying with them and attending to them. So let them be proved, then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. But with regard to church members, I fail to find anything to prove that they should be kept four or five years before they are admitted to the ordinance of believers' baptism and the Lord's supper. We ought, I know, on the other hand, to be careful (I am not afraid of using the "ought").

I do not know how it is with you, but I seek for life, If I can find the root of the matter - the love of Christ, brokenness of heart, humility, and a love to God's people - in persons, I know I am right in encouraging them. I am satisfied about that, whoever might say, "Do not settle people down short of Christ." Why, my dear friends, poor, troubled sinners need all the little encouragement they can get; and if they get a little encouragement under the Word, or in the ordinances, it does them good.

If I were to appeal to some of you that have been in the Lord's ways many years, that have been baptized, sat at the Lord's table, and are in church fellowship, you would say it has been a blessing, because it has been a means of stirring you up when dead, carnally-minded and cold. It is a solemn thing to sit at the Lord's table, and it is a solemn thing to walk in the ordinance of believers' baptism. It is a very solemn ordinance; it sets forth the sufferings and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It sets forth the believer's death to the law, to the world and to sin, in and by Christ; and it sets forth his resurrection and life, in and by Christ. I know very well if you could see all its sets forth, you would not need any man to teach you what you hear about, though it might tend to confirm you.

It is a fact, whether we speak, hear or walk in the ways of Zion, we want the blessed Spirit, Now it is recorded, "He that knoweth his Lord's will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." I do not say this to bring anyone into bondage, or to drive them into this ordinance, but the Word says so. It is very blessed to see the King in His beauty in the ordinances or in the Scriptures.

Taken from a sermon preached by Henry Bradford of Eastbourne on October 31st, 1883.