Of Baptism

[Shoesnsocks]

I just recently read some writings from David Bercot and discovered that he believes that a sinner is saved at the time of water baptism. Is this a common belief in anabaptist churches.

[Josh]

It is not a common belief. German Baptists sort of believe this.

Followers of the Way in Boston has a very strong belief in this, to the point they think most Mennonite aren't saved due if they weren't fully immersed nor saved during instruction class.

[Judas Maccabeus]

It is not a common belief. German Baptists sort of believe this.

Followers of the Way in Boston has a very strong belief in this, to the point they think most Mennonite aren't saved due if they weren't fully immersed nor saved during instruction class.

You are kidding here, right? Did they get this from the Church of Christ or something?

J.M.

[Shoesnsocks]

What's instruction class?

[Josh]

It is not a common belief. German Baptists sort of believe this.

Followers of the Way in Boston has a very strong belief in this, to the point they think most Mennonite aren't saved due if they weren't fully immersed nor saved during instruction class.

You are kidding here, right? Did they get this from the Church of Christ or something?

J.M.

I'm not kidding. My theory is that for it from their CoC or ICoC roots.

Amongst FotW's plans is to set up churches in every city and recruit existing Anabaptists to help plan them provided they accept "correct doctrine" of salvation and marriage.

[Josh]

What's instruction class?

Typically Mennonites have a class ranging from 3 months to a year where one learns about various Christian doctrines and applications of them, basically what the church expects of you, before you join and are baptised. Mennonites typically believe Jesus saves us, that salvation is a free gift we can have just for asking Jesus for it, and that baptism is an outward symbol of joining the church and of how Jesus has already been washing the new believer of his sins.

German Baptists do a much briefer period (a few weeks), and whilst they believe baptism does wash away sins they also grant that there is a divine grace and mystery in God being willing to save the honest seeker during this time.

Apostolic Pentecostals believe you aren't saved - no exceptions - until you go under the water and come back up. So they usually have a tank of water in the church house somewhere ready to go at all times.

[Valerie]

It is not a common belief. German Baptists sort of believe this.

Followers of the Way in Boston has a very strong belief in this, to the point they think most Mennonite aren't saved due if they weren't fully immersed nor saved during instruction class.

Seems to me, the Amish believe this as well-which they are Anabaptists?

It is because when Jesus used the terminology "Born Again of Water and of the Spirit" it became common teaching that is referring to Baptism (the water) and then receiving the Holy Spirit, at one's baptism- thus born of 'water and the spirit- born again.

[Ernie]

Followers of the Way in Boston has a very strong belief in this, to the point they think most Mennonite aren't saved due if they weren't fully immersed nor saved during instruction class.

In other words, if you were baptized as an unbeliever, you should be rebaptized?
I believe this as well.

I was never immersed but they invite me to preach and commune there anyhow. This causes consternation for a few of the members but this has not even been a point of discussion between the leadership and myself. There are others in their church who have not been immersed who are treated similarly to me by the leadership.

[Josh]

It is not a common belief. German Baptists sort of believe this.

Followers of the Way in Boston has a very strong belief in this, to the point they think most Mennonite aren't saved due if they weren't fully immersed nor saved during instruction class.

Seems to me, the Amish believe this as well-which they are Anabaptists?

It is because when Jesus used the terminology "Born Again of Water and of the Spirit" it became common teaching that is referring to Baptism (the water) and then receiving the Holy Spirit, at one's baptism- thus born of 'water and the spirit- born again.

The Amish view on salvation is different enough that the question "At what exact moment are you saved?" doesn't make sense.
Salvation is more of a future event.

[Josh]

Followers of the Way in Boston has a very strong belief in this, to the point they think most Mennonite aren't saved due if they weren't fully immersed nor saved during instruction class.

In other words, if you were baptized as an unbeliever, you should be rebaptized?
I believe this as well.

I was never immersed but they invite me to preach and commune there anyhow. This causes consternation for a few of the members but this has not even been a point of discussion between the leadership and myself. There are others in their church who have not been immersed who are treated similarly to me by the leadership.

I suspect you are treated this way due to being an ethnic Anabaptist in good standing.

I was also not aware FOTW has any defined leadership. According to Milioni they have not appointed anyone.