Brethren and AnaBaptism
February 17, 2025•419 words
Brethren are highly influenced by two major movements, Pietists (covered in another post), and AnaBaptists. What is it? Who were they? What was their main stance they are known for? These are the tree questions explored today.
AnaBaptist is not a word that is used often, but many Christian churches are AnaBaptist. It does not mean we are against baptism, instead we believe in Believers baptism. Following the Scriptures, every time someone was baptized, it was to receive faith but because of faith.
Brethren do not hold to Baptismal Regeneration, but the position that baptism is an outward demonstration of an inward change. We are baptized because we follow Jesus' example. This position, from both the AnaBaptist and even the Brethren suffered many persecutions and death because of our belief and re-baptizing of new believers.
Brethren do baptize differently, however. We do full immersion, but while most churches baptize backward, once, from a standing position, we baptize forward, kneeling down, three times. There is a Scriptural, and historical reason for this.
Scripturally, the Bible records Jesus' last words to His disciples, before His ascension was to go baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three times, one for each name.
The kneeling is historical. When someone is being baptized from a standing position, there comes a point when going backward that they lose control. It is no longer their will that guides them to the water, it is gravity.
Since baptism is a conscientious decision, the candidate must be willing to surrender. From a kneeling position, and going forward, the candidate has full control all the way and, yet, still chose to show their obedience. They could stiffen and resist, but they do not. It is an act of purposeful will. We must surrender EVERYTHING to God who has full control. We do not chose what part of us we surrender. This is why it is very deliberate.
Early Brethren, never accepted baptism from anyone else. If someone were to wish to join the Brethren, they were required to be baptized in this manner. That has changed some today.
Old order Brethren, and some other Brethren still hold to this, but many more now will ask the question,
"Are you satisfied with your baptism?"
if the candidate for membership is, then their baptism is accepted. This author is torn between the two, seeing the blessing of both. Thankfully, this is not a primary concern, but it shows that differences of opinions do abound.