A Defense of Landmark Baptist Beliefs and Practices: A Scriptural Rebuttal to Old Landmarkism and the Baptist

Are Landmark Baptists misunderstood—or misrepresented?

In A Defense of Landmark Baptist Beliefs and Practices, Wm. F. Bekgaard delivers a thorough, Scripture-centered rebuttal to Bob L. Ross’s influential critique Old Landmarkism and the Baptist. Written with pastoral concern and theological precision, this work confronts accusations against Landmark Baptist doctrine, church authority, and church succession with careful exegesis and historical documentation.

Bekgaard argues that Landmarkism is not a sectarian novelty, but a faithful continuation of New Testament ecclesiology. He challenges the concept of a “universal, invisible church” and defends the biblical meaning of ekklesia as a local, visible, called-out assembly commissioned by Christ Himself.

This book addresses core issues including:

• The authority of Christ as exercised through the local church

• The biblical basis for church succession and perpetuity

• The Great Commission as a corporate church responsibility

• The meaning of ekklesia in Scripture and historical usage

• Errors and misrepresentations found in modern anti-Landmark arguments

Drawing from Scripture, church history, and theological reasoning, Bekgaard demonstrates that Landmark Baptist beliefs stand on solid biblical ground. His analysis exposes logical inconsistencies in anti-Landmark critiques while reaffirming the New Testament model of church authority, ordinances, and discipline.

This work is essential reading for Landmark Baptists, Independent Baptists, pastors, theologians, seminarians, and serious students of ecclesiology who desire clarity, faithfulness, and historical continuity in their understanding of the Lord’s church.