A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

he work of Thy hands to Thee! Amen. c) We speak here of the entire Mennonite Brotherhood, because the supreme government authorities consider it one true brotherhood. d) In the articles, we are, according to our convictions from the Holy Scripture, in agreement with our dear Menno. e) We confess a baptism on faith, as a seal of faith; not on a memorized faith, as is the practice but on a genuine, living faith effected by the Spirit of God. For without faith, it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6. And he that hath not the Spirit of Christ, is none of his. (Romans 8:9). And again our dear Saviour says to Nicodemus, John 3:3: Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Baptism is not the new birth, as some of the unconverted maintain, but serves as a sign for the baptismal candidate, that he is really born again. f) Regarding holy communion we confess that it serves to strengthen the faith of true believers, for they remind themselves of their mighty salvation through the death of the Lord Jesus. Yes, it is a sign that they stand in very intimate {gam genauer) union [Verbindung) with Jesus, their Saviour. 1 Corinthians 10: 16. Furthermore, it serves as a sign of the covenant and fellowship of believers v. 17, and not as a sign of the fellowship of believers and unbelievers with one another, as it is presently practiced. This is likewise stated in Menno Simons' Grundfundament (basic doctrines), Vol. I, pp. 115-121. Page 121 reads: If someone errs in doctrine and faith, and walks in the flesh, he can in no case be permitted to fellowship with the godfearing and repentant. . . ." In 1 Corinthians 5:11 the apostle Paul states: If any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. How much less partake of holy communion with him? Unfortunately, there are many covetous, drunkards and blasphemers with whom one shares the Lord's Supper, for not only those are drunkards who are almost continually under the influence of liquor, but also RENEWAL AND REORIENTATION 35 those who occasionally gorge themselves with food and drink at markets and taverns. 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 says "that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils." Likewise also, those who walk in the flesh cannot glorify God in the communion, because they do not know him, but as usual they serve the devil herewith, for no man can serve two masters. Matthew 6:24. Now the apostle did not want the believers to have fellowship with the devil and the idolater who serves the devil, and thus become one body. For as there is one bread, so also those who partake are one body. 1 Corinthians 10:17. In Revelation 18:4 the Saviour says, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." 2 Corinthians 6 states that believers shall have no fellowship