A Pilgrimage Of Faith, J.B. Toews, 1993

the book of Acts. Biblical truth for Mennonite Brethren was existential and governed all aspects of faith and life. Their rejection of insti- tutional forms of religion left them no other point of reference but the Bible itself. In the initial years, when under continu- ous attack and persecution from both ecclesiastical and civil authorities, this emphasis on the teachings of the Bible as they understood it was their only anchor. "Faithfulness to the Word" became the overarching motif that provided the courage and the endurance during the early years of the movement. This bibliocentric orientation was also evident at the first Mennonite Brethren conference in North America convened on September 30, 1878. The minutes of that meeting record the following statement of purpose: "The Conference has been called for brethren of like faith from our scattered churches to see whether at the hand of the Bible it is not pos- sible to bring into harmony different views gleaned from the study of the Word of God and then proceed as a church fel- lowship according to the same rule (Phil. 3:1 6) under the ban- ner of the cross of Christ."9 The early Mennonite Brethren were "readers of the Word of God and spoke about it in conversation with others."10 They met in their homes for Bible study, prayer and singing. 19 A PILGRIMAGE OF FAITH They studied God's Word with conviction and faith.11 Rarely did a neighborly visit conclude without the host reading a portion of Scripture.12 The focus on Scripture had been cen- tral in the revival movement that led to the birth of the new movement. The watchword, *What does the Bible say?", re- mained a constant in its early years.15 Abraham E. Janzen, writing on die biblicism of the early brethren, noted their need to search Scripture continually. He attributed their hesitancy to formulate a creed to their fear that theological formulations would dilute their dependence on Scripture as the primary source through which the Holy Spirit would give them understanding of truth for the changing cir- cumstances of life.14 The 1902 adoption of the first official Confession of Faith came forty years after the beginnings of the Mennonite Brethren. Even then they were concerned that the confession not be considered on an equal basis with Scripture, They wrote: "Unser Glauhensbekenntniss stellt sich nicbt neben son- dern unter die Schriflf- our Confession of Faith is not to be considered side by side with the Scripture, but rather to be subordinate to the Scripture/15 The Confession of Faith served as an instrument ex