Below is an annotated bibliography organized into the five categories you requested, keyed to your existing reading plan and sermon outline so you can slot items directly into your workflow.[swbts]

1. Confessional Sources

These anchor everything in the 1689 and its immediate context.

• Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1677/1689) – Chapters 28–29; Appendix Concerning Baptism
  • Use a good PDF text for close reading and proof‑text checking.[ccel]
  • The Appendix explicitly addresses baptismal controversy with paedobaptist brethren and clarifies the confessional intent.[monergism]
• Modern English / Study Editions
  • The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith in Modern English (e.g., Founders or similar editions). These provide updated language and often brief notes on each chapter.[founders]
  • Resource hub at the1689confession.com (notes, teaching outlines, and linked resources for Chapters 28–29).[the1689confession]
• James M. Renihan, To the Judicious and Impartial Reader: Baptist Symbolics, Volume 2
  • Full exposition of the 1689 Confession, set in its seventeenth‑century context, explaining the structure and theology of each chapter, including 28–29.[press.founders]
  • Especially valuable for hearing how the original signatories and their contemporaries would have understood the language of “ordinance,” “subjects,” and “mode.”[press.founders]
• Faith and Life for Baptists: The Documents of the London Particular Baptist Assemblies, 1689–1694 (Renihan, ed.)
  • Collects associational records and documents that show how early Particular Baptists applied the confession, including discipline and admission to membership.[the1689confession]

2. Biblical Studies / Exegesis

These are your primary conversation partners on the text itself (Gospels, Acts, Epistles, covenant passages), with Believer’s Baptism as the central biblical‑theology volume.

• Thomas R. Schreiner & Shawn D. Wright (eds.), Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ (NACSBT)

  • Organized into biblical (ch. 1–4), historical (ch. 5–9), and practical (ch. 10) sections; ideal backbone for your exegetical and biblical‑theology work.[swbts]

  Core biblical chapters:

  • Andreas J. Köstenberger, “Baptism in the Gospels” – Great Commission, Jesus’ own baptism, and Gospel discipleship pattern.[store.thegospelcoalition]
  • Robert H. Stein, “Baptism in Luke–Acts” – Narrative pattern of word, repentance, faith, and baptism; crucial for your Acts work.[swbts]
  • Thomas R. Schreiner, “Baptism in the Epistles: An Initiation Rite for Believers” – Focuses on Romans 6 and key epistolary texts, stressing baptism as initiation and union with Christ while warning against sacramentalism.[swbts]
  • Stephen J. Wellum, “Baptism and the Relationship Between the Covenants” – The central covenantal essay tying exegesis to new‑covenant theology.[swbts]

• Other biblical essays and tools

  • A. B. Caneday, “Baptism in the Stone‑Campbell Restoration Movement” – Helps clarify non‑Reformed views so you can contrast them with Reformed Baptist practice.[swbts]
  • Biblical theology of covenant and law: Barcellos and Renihan’s lectures (e.g., on moral vs positive law; baptism as new‑covenant positive law) are accessible via Founders/IRBS media and reinforce the exegesis.[youtube]

Use these resources to answer:

• What does each key text (Matt 28, Acts, Romans 6, Col 2, Gal 3) actually say and imply about subjects, meaning, and mode?
• How do NT authors assume baptism functions in the life of believers and congregations?[swbts]

3. Historical Theology

These sources situate believer baptism in Reformation, post‑Reformation, patristic, and Baptist history and help distinguish Reformed Baptists from both Anabaptists and magisterial Protestants.

• Historical essays in Believer’s Baptism
  • Steven A. McKinion, “Baptism in the Patristic Writings” – Surveys early Christian practice and theology, noting variety and development.[swbts]
  • Jonathan H. Rainbow, “Confessor Baptism: The Baptismal Doctrine of the Early Anabaptists” – Traces “confessor baptism” and its continuity/discontinuity with Reformed Baptist practice.[swbts]
  • Shawn D. Wright, “Baptism and the Logic of Reformed Paedobaptists” – Fair presentation of paedobaptist reasoning, crucial for sharpening your comparative framework.[swbts]
  • Duane A. Garrett, “Meredith Kline on Suzerainty, Circumcision, and Baptism” – Technically engages Klinean covenant theology; useful for advanced covenant discussions.[swbts]