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Mennonites, Anabaptists, Amish and us

Sminasian

Member
What is the difference? I belong to a conservative, traditional, baptist church, kjv only. Last Sunday evening two young mennonites ladies attended the service.

I thought baptists were much different than the mennonites? From what I read during a quick google search, the only difference between baptists and mennonites is that they believe salvation can be lost. It appears to me that there are only slight differences among all these faiths I listed. We are not THAT much different than the Amish or Anabaptists, either. At least I don't think so.
Any one care to comment? I am confused here
 

Squire Robertsson

Administrator
Administrator
First, Anabaptists are\were a continental wide movement. To describe them as a denomination is wildly inaccurate. German Baptists are their modern follow on.

Mennonites are descended from Dutch Anabaptists lead by Menno Simons (1496-1561). The Amish formed in 1693 around Jacob Amman's efforts to reform the Mennonite church in Switzerland and South Germany.

Yes, these folks are more Arminian in their soteriolgy than most Anglo-American Baptists. In many ways, they are closer to our Free Will Baptists. For purposes of membership in a local Baptist church, many Mennonites practice a three fold immersion vs. the Anglo-American standard single dunk.
 

Bro. James

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
RE: Post #1--

No eternal security seems a serious breach for fellowship. If one does not know eternal security one does not know that salvation is of the Lord. Jesus saves, seals and keeps all believers forever.

Whatever happened to Jude 3? The Way and The Faith have not changed nor have they need of revision.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Bro. James
 
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Crabtownboy

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Many Mennonites, Amish and Anabaptist are pacifists and hold to it with scriptural backing.
 

Squire Robertsson

Administrator
Administrator
Historically, there hasn't been that much fellowship between the us and the Mennonites.
RE: Post #1--

No eternal security seems a serious breach for fellowship. If one does not know eternal security one does not know that salvation is of the Lord. Jesus saves, seals and keeps all believers forever.

Whatever happened to Jude 3? The Way and The Faith have not changed nor have they need of revision.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Bro. James
 
Last edited by a moderator:

salzer mtn

Well-Known Member
What is the difference? I belong to a conservative, traditional, baptist church, kjv only. Last Sunday evening two young mennonites ladies attended the service.

I thought baptists were much different than the mennonites? From what I read during a quick google search, the only difference between baptists and mennonites is that they believe salvation can be lost. It appears to me that there are only slight differences among all these faiths I listed. We are not THAT much different than the Amish or Anabaptists, either. At least I don't think so.
Any one care to comment? I am confused here

I cannot worship with a person or a group that denies one of the truths of the bible which is eternal savation. How can two walk together except they be agreed. IMO when a body of believers have true fellowship they are bonded by truths of scripture. Arminian theology, which is made up of freewill beliefs, rob God of his power to save and keep without man's help. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
 

Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I cannot worship with a person or a group that denies one of the truths of the bible which is eternal savation. How can two walk together except they be agreed. IMO when a body of believers have true fellowship they are bonded by truths of scripture. Arminian theology, which is made up of freewill beliefs, rob God of his power to save and keep without man's help. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

They are probably more like Roman Catholics in that regard.....works based!
 

padredurand

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
They are probably more like Roman Catholics in that regard.....works based!

Read the Dordrecht Confession. That is what they believe.

As to Eternal Security

The brightness of the sun has not shone for many years; heaven and earth have been as copper and iron; the brooks and springs have not run, nor the dew descended from heaven; the beautiful trees and verdant fields have been dry and wilted-spiritually, I mean. However, in these latter days the gracious, great God by the rich treasures of His love has again opened the windows of heaven and let drop the dew of His divine Word, so that the earth once more as of yore produces its green branches and plants of righteousness which bear fruit unto the Lord and glorify His great and adorable name. The holy Word and sacraments of the Lord rise up again from the ashes by means of which the blasphemous deceit and abominations of the learned ones are made manifest. Therefore all the infernal gates rouse themselves, they rave and rant and with such subtle deceit, blasphemous falsehood, and bloody tyranny that if the strong God did not show forth His gracious power, no man could be saved. But they will never wrest from Him those that are His own. ~Menno Simons
 

John Mark

New Member
There was a group of Mennonites who came occasionaly to the IFB church I went to as a teenager. They really liked the music, because they didn't have instruments in their church. My thoughts are that they were just like many Baptists concerning works. They did not believe in earning salvation, but expected to see good works from the saved. As I remember, except for their societal rules they were very much like baptists in their theology. I actually thought they did believe in eternal security, while the Amish did not.
 

John Mark

New Member
One off topic note about the Amish that I think is intresting. They will not use mules because they believe that they are an unnatural creation. All of the rules about only wearing black, not wearing buttons, only using horses to plow fields, are meant to keep everyone at the same level in order to preserve the social order. If someone bought a tractor and could plow more than someone else he would earn more money and be more important. If they bought a flashy new suit, they might think they are better than everyone else. These rules keep everyone the same.
 

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Historically, there hasn't been that much fellowship between the us and the Mennonites.

believe the Me,,onites acknowledged the Gospel of Christ, but do the Amish?
Aren't they more akin to right living/high standards than saved by grace/faith alone?
 

Squire Robertsson

Administrator
Administrator
I don't have any real first hand experience with either group. I do know Amish young people aren't allowed to join the local church and thus be under its discipline until their late teens.
A lot of what we observe about their practices is the Amish and conservative Mennonite reaction to worldliness.
believe the Mennonites acknowledged the Gospel of Christ, but do the Amish?
Aren't they more akin to right living/high standards than saved by grace/faith alone?
 

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I don't have any real first hand experience with either group. I do know Amish young people aren't allowed to join the local church and thus be under its discipline until their late teens.
A lot of what we observe about their practices is the Amish and conservative Mennonite reaction to worldliness.

watched a show on the Amish, learned that at age 18, ALL Amish given one time offer to stay in the Camp, or else forever live in the World, never to be seen or spoken of again!
 

thomas15

Well-Known Member
There are different orders of Amish so rules and customs differ. We have a friend who lives in Lancaster County PA, actually right on the edge of the "city" of Lancaster. His neighbors in the back are Amish but he is on a street with a few non-amish. Anyway, our friend was raised in an Amish family. His Dad decided that he needed a car for work so the dad was given the boot but our friend being under the age at the time could if he wanted get back into the Amish community.

Just about everything about this person is Amish from his name to his work ethic to his carpentry and farm skills. Interesting thing is his wife is a 7th day adventist and she really has few kind words for the Amish.

In my opinion the PA Amish are more of a lifestyle group. It is not like a church you just join. In Lancaster there are many other churches, some of them big Lutheran and Baptist. In our area which is north of Allentown not much Amish but some Mennonite. It is interesting to see them (Amish) work and interact with each other. Ive noticed that at the New Holland livestock auction they are just as shrewed with their business dealings as anyone else.

Every time I go to Cabelas in Hamburg we see many Mennonites shopping there.
 

OldRegular

Well-Known Member
What is the difference? I belong to a conservative, traditional, baptist church, kjv only. Last Sunday evening two young mennonites ladies attended the service.

I thought baptists were much different than the mennonites? From what I read during a quick google search, the only difference between baptists and mennonites is that they believe salvation can be lost. It appears to me that there are only slight differences among all these faiths I listed. We are not THAT much different than the Amish or Anabaptists, either. At least I don't think so.
Any one care to comment? I am confused here

You might find the following interesting!

London Baptist Confession of Faith
A.D. 1644

The
CONFESSION

OF FAITH,

Of those CHURCHES which are
commonly (though falsly)
called ANABAPTISTS;

Presented to the view of all that feare God, to examine by the touchstone of the Word of Truth: As likewise for the taking off those aspersions which are frequently both in Pulpit and Print, (although unjustly) cast upon them.​

And then there is this:

Acts 4.20
We can not but speake the things which wee have seene and heard.

Isai. 8.20
To the Law and to the testimony, if they speake not according to this Rule, it is because there is no light in them.

2 Cor. 1.9, 10
But wee had the sentence of death in our selves, that wee should not trust in our selves, but in the living God which raiseth the dead; who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver, in whom wee trust that he will yet deliver.

LONDON

Printed by Matthew Simmons in Aldersgate-street.

1644

To
ALL THAT DESIRE

The lifting up of the Name of the LORD Jesus in sincerity, the poor despised Churches of God in London send greeting, with prayers for their farther increase in the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS.

We question not but that it will seem strange to many men, that such as we are frequently termed to be, lying under that calumny and black brand of Heretics, and sowers of division as we do, should presume to appear so publicly as now we have done: But yet notwithstanding we may well say, to give answer to such, what David said to his brother, when the Lord's battle was a fighting, 1 Sam. 29:30. Is there not a cause?

Surely, if ever people had cause to speak for the vindication of the truth of Christ in their hands, we have, that being indeed the main wheel at this time that sets us awork; for had anything by men been transacted against our persons only, we could quietly have sitten still, and committed our Cause to him who is a righteous Judge, who will in the great day judge the secrets of all men's hearts by Jesus Christ: But being it is not only us, but the truth professed by us, we cannot, we dare not but speak; it is no strange thing to any observing man, what sad charges are laid, not only by the world, that know not God, but also by those that think themselves much wronged, if they be not looked upon as the chief Worthies of the Church of God, and Watchmen of the City: But it hath fared with us from them, as from the poor Spouse seeking her Beloved, Cant. 5:6, 7. They finding us out of that common roadway themselves walk, have smote us and taken away our vail, that so we may by them be recommended odious in the eyes of all that behold us, and in the hearts of all that think upon us, which they have done both in Pulpit and Print, charging us with holding Free-will, Falling away from grace, denying Original sin, disclaiming of Magistracy, denying to assist them either in persons or purse in any of their lawful Commands, doing acts unseemly in the dispensing the Ordinance of Baptism, not to be named amongst Christians: All which Charges we disclaim as notoriously untrue, though by reason of these calumnies cast upon us, many that fear God are discouraged and forestalled in harboring a good thought, either of us or what we profess; and many that know not God encouraged, if they can find the place of our meeting, to get together in Clusters to stone us, as looking upon us as a people holding such things, as that we are not worthy to live: We have therefore for the clearing of the truth we profess, that it may be at liberty, though we be in bonds, briefly published a Confession of our Faith, as desiring all that fear God, seriously to consider whether (if they compare what we here say and confess in the presence of the Lord Jesus and his Saints) men have not with their tongues in Pulpit, and pens in Print, both spoken and written things that are contrary to truth; but we know our God in his own time will clear our Cause, and lift up his Son to make him the chief cornerstone, though he has been (or now should be) rejected of Master Builders. And because it may be conceived, that what is here published, may be but the Judgement of some one particular Congregation, more refined than the rest; We do therefore here subscribe it, some of each body in the name, and by the appointment of seven Congregations, who though we be distinct in respect of our particular bodies, for convenience sake, being as many as can well meet together in one place, yet are all one in Communion, holding Jesus Christ to be our head and Lord; under whose government we desire alone to walk, in following the Lamb wheresoever he goeth; and we believe the Lord will daily cause truth more to appear in the hearts of his Saints, and make them ashamed of their folly in the Land of their Nativity, that so they may with one shoulder, more study to lift up the Name of the Lord Jesus, and stand for his appointments and Laws; which is the desires and prayers of the condemned Churches of Christ in London for all saints.

Subscribed in the Names of seven Churches in London.

William Kiffin.
Thomas Patience.
------------------------
John Spilsbery.
George Tipping.
Samuel Richardson.
------------------------
Thomas Skippard.
Thomas Munday.
-------------------------
Thomas Gunne.
John Mabbatt.
-------------------------
John Webb
Thomas Killcop.
-------------------------
Paul Hobson.
Thomas Goare.
-------------------------
Joseph Phelpes.
Edward Heath.​
 

go2church

Active Member
Site Supporter
Like Baptists, there are different kind of Mennonites. Some more strict then others, almost Amish and others not. There is also a variety when it comes to theology. My experience with them is they were all non-violent, but not all pacifists.
 
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