This book seeks to answer the question, "What does Baptism do?" It seeks to answer that question by going to the texts and analyzing them with the view that "Baptism" normally means literal water baptism, and that the Body of Christ is the literal historical Church institution made up of all the Baptized, and not a spiritual Church containing the eternally elect only.In Chapter 1, he challenges most of what reformed people know about Baptism. Showing that it is perhaps not helpful to think of Sacraments as signs, or seals, or means of grace. He prefers the term ritual instead because rituals change our status. (Think of the marriage ritual of saying I do. It changes our status from single to married.) He is pressing for a much more objective view of Baptism. He also includes a few helpful pages about the relationship of God to time.In Chapter 2, he examines various New Testament passages that speak about Baptism, and argues that each one speaks of a literal water rite. Not a spirit baptism or a metaphor.Chapter 3 is perhaps the most controversial section of the book. In it, he argues that the Body of Christ does not consist solely of the eternally elect to salvation, but of all who are Baptized into the triune God. He argues this point very strongly against a "Ecclesiological Nestorianism". He does some good exegesis on relevant passages having to do with the body of Christ in the NT. He prefers the distinction Historical and Eschatalogical to the Visible and Invisible labels to the Church. And in some of the most controversial passages in the book, having to do with the benefits of membership in the body, where he expressly links Baptism and membership of the body with the blessings of salvation such as Justification. Unfortunately, he only spent a few pages dealing with this subject.In Chapter 4, he deals with the reality of Apostasy. He argues for a strong theology of Apostasy, mostly because the Bible spends so much time talking about it. Although he is careful to protect the doctrines of God's sovereignty and unconditional election, he never really clarifies his views of perseverance of the saints.Chapter 5 is a story that helpfully illustrates his view and there is also an appendix on Infant Baptism that has some very unique arguments.This is a very good book with very good arguments. I think it is much needed in the reformed world today. The biggest downside of this book is his failure to clearly state Baptisms relation to the order saltus and specifically justification, as well as the type of faith the elect and apostate have. That led to the author being placed on trial for false teaching before his presbytery. None the less, I recommend this book as an extremely wonderful and eyeopening book on Baptism and the Church that truly was a huge influence on me. Great piece of writing.