Originally published in 1962, A Baptist Manual of Policy and Practice was written to bring together traditional Baptist positions and practices and the modifications adopted over the years. The first revised edition, published in 1991, maintained this objective and with contemporary and inclusive language added new insights and new understandings. This 50th Anniversary edition, while retaining the original's basic aim of describing the general church practice of Baptists (especially American Baptists) in the context of their biblical and theological foundations, was prepared with several additional goals in mind: Respond to profound shifts in Baptist polity that have occurred since 1991 Address new challenges, especially that of an increasingly fragmentary and secular culture Emphasize the trend toward a looser and more locally focused form of ministry Freshen the book's general style and tone Book jacket.

This classic is organized as follows: I. A Christian Church II. Church Officers III. Church Ordinances IV. Church Membership V. Church Discipline Private Offenses Public Offenses VI. Cases of Appeal VII. Church Business Order of Business Rules of Order VIII. Christian Doctrine Articles of Faith Covenant IX. Optional Standing Resolutions X. Baptism Considered Meaning of the Word The Baptism of Jesus Much Water Needed Philip and the Eunuch The Testimony of Scholars Apostolical Allusions The Witness of History For Thirteen Centuries As to the Greek Church The Design of Baptism A Sufficiency of Water The Rise of Sprinkling XI. The Lord’s Supper Open and Close Communion One and the Same Rule The Baptist Position Pedobaptist Close Communion The Power of Sympathy Three Facts Explained Pedobaptist Witnesses XII. Infant Baptism Not of Scriptural Authority When Did It Rise? Why Did It Rise? Household Baptisms XIII. Church Government XIV. Church Officers