In seminary, I became a big fan of the Anabaptists. While not totally agreeing with all their beliefs, I admired their willingness to sacrifice all for their doctrine. One such doctrine that did not allow compromise was confessional baptism. An excellent resource on Anabaptists is William R. Estep’s book, The Anabaptist Story. In his section concerning Balthasar Hubmaier, Estep writes this:
“As his numerous references to the matter affirm, Hubmaier denies that baptism is necessary to salvation. He insists, however, that it is essential to the life of the church.
Where baptism in water does not exist, there is no Church, no brother, no sister, no fraternal discipline, exclusion or restoration. I speak here of the visible Church as Christ said (Matt. 18) For there must be some outward sign of testimony by which brothers and sisters can know one another, though faith be in the heart alone. By receiving baptism, the candidate testifies publicly that . . . he has submitted himself to his brothers and sister . . . that is, to the Church (Bold mine to show Hubmaier quote from Estep)
For Hubmaier baptism was not only essential to the life of the church, but also to Christian discipleship. According to his viewpoint baptism was the sign of committed discipleship. It symbolizes one’s commitment to Christ and submission to his fellow believers in the church.
On the other hand, he denounces infant baptism as a sign without meaning. Those who practice infant baptism “rob us of the true baptism and show us a sign before an inn in which is not wine.” To the charge, “that there is nowhere in the scriptures a clear word to the effect that one must not baptize infants,” Hubmaier, in inimical style, answered:
It is clear enough for him who has eyes to see it, but it is not expressed in so many words, literally: “do not baptize infants.” May one then baptise them? To that I answer: “if so I may baptize my dog or my donkey, or I may circumcise girls . . . I may make idols out of St. Paul and St. Peter, I may bring infants to the Lord’s Supper, bless palm branches, vegetables, slat, land and water, sell the mass for an offering. For it is nowhere said in express words that we must not do these things.” (Bold mine to show Hubmaier quote from Estep)
Hubmaier thus uses logic, humor, the scriptures, and the fathers to show that infant baptism is unnecessary, useless, and an abomination before God. (Emphasis mine.) He asserts that infant baptism is not of New Testament origin. Cyprian, Augustine, and the archives of the Vatican are cited as containing proof of his position.”
Hubmaier was not a perfect man. When Zwingli imprisoned him, Hubmaier was thrown on the rack and tortured until he recanted, which he did in writing. Zwingli, who could not defeat him in a debate did so using torture. Hubmaier, after feeling immense guilt over his recantation, left Zurich and wrote his Short Apology in which he stated, “I may err – I am a man – but a heretic I cannot be, because I ask constantly for instruction in the word of God.”
After time, Hubmaier was imprisoned by Catholic authorities. While remaining strong in his steadfast beliefs of baptism and the Lord’s supper, Hubmaier was burned at the stake. Three days later, his wife met him in heaven after being drowned in the Danube river.
Hubmaier restored true biblical teachings on baptism that has been carried on by modern day baptists. He died believing that infant baptism was an abomination and that there could not be a true visible church without confessional baptism. In today’s world of religious pluralism, may all baptist commit to this essential biblical doctrine in the manner of Hubmaier. As he believed and stated, “Truth is Immortal.”
With all the discussion on this issue going on in the blogosphere – it would seem that the AnaBaptists died for a second or third tier issue ;-). I think the problem is that neither the spirit or the practice of these teachings are carried on by modern day Baptists.
Robin,
Great article.
I think some Baptist churches are getting away from this and to their shame.
Scriptural baptism is of utmost importance, and infant baptism is not baptism at all.
T.A.
Let me begin by saying, baptism by immersion is essential to the life of the Church. So is loving and worshipping God, loving your brother, repenting, teaching, preaching, administrating, helping, fellowshipping, communing with our Lord etc., etc. Yet, biblically none of those including wet baptism has ever been the highest matter of life and death except for the gospel of God. The Apostles new this and Christ’s disciples know this today. Philip, our great brother of the past, is a prime witness in the 8th chapter of Acts. Philip preached the gospel and baptized the eunuch, in that order.
Hubmaier, when he stated “Where baptism in water does not exist, there is no Church”, is simply mistaken. I think I understand what he is trying to say, but it seems there is more passion than truth in Hubmaier’s statement, and we all like to hear these type statements, …because we like heroes of the faith that demonstrate conviction. No doubt, Hubmaier demonstrated conviction, I’m sure much more than most of us. But, conviction is simply not enough to erase truth.
Paul had a better reason for death, which pertains specifically to the Gospel, not external signs. I believe Paul’s conviction for the Gospel is the highest call of life. Wet baptism is not part of the Gospel,…if it were we would have something to boast about. Paul was willing to die,… and as he states below he is willing to be accursed from Christ for his brothers. Paul had a much higher calling than dieing for water baptism.
“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”
(Romans 9:1-5)
Again, wet baptism is essential to the life of the Church, but the Gospel…Oh My!, no comparison! We should by all means baptize and we should pray that God by means of His baptism provide many to baptize. Certainly going through the motions of baptizing infants is pure emotion, without any light.
“Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
(Philippians 3:5-9)
For the sake of the Gospel,
-Chris
<p>Chris</p>
<p>I agree with you, the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. The Gospel is what transforms men from guilty sinners to justified before God. But I also believe infant baptism that teaches regeneration is an abomination that must be refuted because that baptism will lead humanity to hell. Any teaching that leads humanity from the truth of the Gospel is worth refuting and dying, if necessary, in order to rid the church of its false truth. Infant baptism leads people away from the Gospel.</p>
<p>You state that wet baptism is essential to the life of the church. For something to be essential means that it is absolutely necessary or indispensable. In other words, you don’t have what you think you have without it. No baptism, no church. With that, you are in agreement with Hubmaier.</p>
<p>But I still believe you miss Hubmaier’s argument. For him, baptism was confessional after salvation. He adamantly was against baptismal regeneration which was taught with infant baptism. I humbly believe (since I am no Hubmaier expert) he would state that any baptism other than a confessional baptism would lead to an unregenerate church. Without believers, there is no visible or local church. Baptism was the confessional act of a regenerated follower of Christ.</p>
Thank you Robin for that great statement. “he would state that any baptism other than a confessional baptism would lead to an unregenerate church. Without believers, there is no visible or local church. Baptism was the confessional act of a regenerated follower of Christ.”
As baptists our view of believer’s baptism flows directly and is a consequence of justification by faith. Very very well thought through. Thank you,
Steve
Robin,
Thank you for the post. I believe you make the point I am making ….”Without believers, there is no visible or local church. Baptism was the confessional act of a regenerated follower of Christ”…and I might add many many other confessions as well.
My point is that sometimes we can easily become more interested in martyrdom than in Christ.
Thank you for your work on this…..
Blessings,
-Chris
Chris
Sorry I misunderstood your point. I agree, we can be more interested in martyrdom than than Christ, who was more than a martyr, but the ultimate sacrifice to atone for the sins of those who believe.
Thanks for keeping the dialog balanced.
God Bless
Robin,
One other thing you jogged in my mind about the command of baptism. The command to be baptized is “essentially” an act of worship by a believer to God. This could be the reason why Hubmaier may have been fully convinced concerning his need to testify against infant baptism in the manner He did. Unfortunately, the enemy sought to kill him and his wife out of a struggle for power, authority and ultimately greed. With Hubmaier’s stance, I am in full agreement. In no way can infant baptism be an act of worship for an infant, nor can the parents or church of the infant act as proxy….that is impossible.
We as believers, should never lower or leverage the act of baptism below that of worship to our heavenly Father. All good gifts are from Him.
Thanks again for your post
Blessings,
-Chris
I stumbled on this Post by surfing the blogs. I like this post. The church today has a weak view of baptism. Baptism is actually linked to little today. You almost have to talk people into being baptized after they have “made a decision.” After they are baptized, I’ve noticed most churches have no follow up plan for discipling new believers. Usually there’s little pre-counseling also. We “Baptists” don’t get off the hook here. We are scared to have discipleship criteria for kids and adults because it will result in two things: 1) the evangelistic/discipleship paradigm in the church will have to change. What most churches are doing in equipping is a joke. Hence, LifeWay and the recycled FAITH Strategy. 2) baptisms might go down if we actually baptized people, especially adults, who are required to come to a class before baptism and follow Jesus after.
May I suggest the excellent book: http://www.amazon.com/Believers-Baptism-Covenant-Studies-Theology/dp/0805432493
I am reading this and it’s good. It’s well thought through and is a readable theological book that is practical on this discussion.
Alan
Thanks for the comment. You are right. This is an excellent book. I advise anyone who is interested in our belief of believers baptism to get it.
God Bless
robin,
thanks for the history lesson here. it not only blessed my heart, but i used it in my sermon this morning. thanks again for expanding this redneck hillbillies mind!
david