Baptist/Anabaptist

[WayneinMaine]

I am living in a Mennonite community that goes from more modern to horse and buggy Mennonites (older order) and found some interesting differences with Baptists. I could be wrong and would like Anabaptist input into this:

1. Pacifism - Anbaptists follow non-resistence and pacifism, 'laying down the sword' and turning the other cheek. Baptists do believe in the military mostly.

2. Rebaptisting - Anabaptists will insist new converts are rebaptised if the baptism was as an infant or a church of questionable doctrine as they see it. Baptists may or may not accept a previous baptism. Both see it as an outward symbol of an inner change. I believe some Anabaptists immerse three time - once each for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3. Footwashing - Anabaptists practice footwashing as a symbol of brotherhood and service and extending the hand of friendship. Mennonites view it as an ordinance along with the Holy Kiss - but I do not know much about that

4. Plainness in dress - many old order Anabaptists do not allow jewelry or adornment and dress very conservatively covering up skin. Women will have a head covering. Think Amish. These are Mennonite women:


The men near me wear long sleeves, wear hats when outside and I don't see buttons though I think they have them.
Others dress more modern but conservative.

5. Separation from the world - Believe they should conform to Christ and not the world. Baptists believe this but not like the Anabaptists like Amish or Mennonites. Their church discipline may include shunning. I see an emphasis on holy living, avoiding sin.


6. Oaths - Anabaptist refrain from taking oaths of any kind. Baptists will as in the military.



Anabaptists and Baptists come out of different areas of the world and some different leaders


So Anabaptists - is this right?

All the things you mention are true. The bigger distinction is in the difference between how Protestants (including Baptists) view the scriptures and how the Anabaptist's view the scriptures.

While most Baptists would claim to take the Words of Jesus and the rest of the New Testament scriptures literally, often the interpretation of those words negates the "literal" meaning in an attempt to harmonize Old and New testament passages, or to accommodate a certain (American? Western?) worldview. On the other hand, Anabaptists tend to take the words of Jesus and the apostles at face value unless it is clear that Jesus was speaking allegorically or parabolically. There are Anabaptists who believe one ought not to have personal possessions, but rather have "all things common" as in Acts 2 and 4 - this is taking the words of Jesus strictly at face value, emulating the pristine early church. When all of the teachings of Jesus are approached in this way, a fairly consistent "biblical" worldview and lifestyle is the result.