Part 84
Continuing, he explains the words of Peter, Acts 2:39: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children,” etc.; from which the opponents were frequently wont to prove (in their manner) infant baptism, or at least, to give it some plausibility. Thereupon he says as follows: “By this the apostle shows that the gift of the Holy Ghost was to be given, not only to the Jews and their children, but also to the Gentiles, who were far from the kingdom of God, and whom God should also call, as the prophet Joel had foretold.[215]
[215] He adduces the prophecy of Joel for the purpose of showing, that the latter speaks of the prophesying of sons and daughters, and not of infants. Chap. 2, verse 28.
Thus, he says finally, baptism must be received upon faith, for a burial of sin, a washing of regeneration, a covenant of the Christian life, a putting on of the body of Christ, an ingrafting into the true olive tree and vine of Christ, an entrance into the spiritual ark of Noah, of which Christ is the true householder, as is written of him (this he says of his church): “Behold, here am I, and the children (the true believers) which thou hast given me.” See in _Martyrs Mirror, page 537, col. 2, 3_, and afterwards, in the Account of the Martyrs, for the year 1569.
It is not necessary here to say anything more; since the views of this man, regarding this matter, are well known and in the memory of almost every one. Hence we will conclude this, and proceed to others of like confession.
_A. D. 1572._--At this time there was imprisoned at Dort, in Holland, a man of great virtue and piety, named John Wouterss van Kuyck, who, in a letter written to his wife, relates what happened to him in prison on account of the faith. Among other things he speaks of what the bailiff, in his presence, demanded of the judges, namely: That pursuant to the decree of the King, he should be burnt alive at the stake; because he had departed from the Roman Catholic faith, and had (as he said), been rebaptized by the Anabaptists.
Thereupon this pious witness of Jesus answered as he further writes, saying: “Then I replied: I have never departed from the Christian faith; and I know no Anabaptists. I have been baptized only once upon my faith; infant baptism I do not consider a baptism; and when I was a child, I did as a child, as my parents led me.” See in the last-mentioned _Martyrs Mirror, page 692, col. 2_, also in the following account of the martyrs, for the year 1572.
In another letter delivered by him to the bailiff and the council of said city, he makes this confession of his own baptism: “Faith and inward baptism constrained me to obedience toward his word, to fulfill his righteousness. Hence I confess, that I was baptized upon my faith, and this on my request, according to the command of Christ, renouncing the devil, the world, etc.” _Same book, page 701._
Thus, this witness of Jesus openly, boldly, and unfeignedly declared the truth of God in this matter, according to the testimony of the word of God, and his conscience; to show which has here been our sole aim.
_A. D. 1586._--At Ingolstadt, in Bavaria, one Christian Gasteiger, after suffering much onset and opposition from the Jesuits, was, among other things, also assailed in regard to his belief respecting baptism; since he held that it should be administered to none but the believing and penitent. On a certain day, therefore, there came to him, where he was imprisoned, two of that order, saying. That a child had to be baptized, or it would be damned. But he contradicted them with arguments and the authority of the holy Scriptures. This belief he held fast to the end, since he died thereupon, as shall appear more fully in the account of the martyrs, regarding his death, for the year 1586. Also, in _Mart. Mir., page 886, col. 2_.
_A. D. 1592._--We find, that besides a disputation held against some papists who maintained infant baptism, Bartholomew Panten, a pious brother, also left, before his departure from this world, a testament, as a last farewell, to his little daughter; in which he, among other things, admonishes her, how she, when arriving at maturity, should act with regard to this matter, saying: “My dear child, take this to heart, and when you attain your understanding, my paternal request to you is, to join those who fear God, who are by far the least among all people, but who are nevertheless the true congregation and church of God; who practice their rule according to the ordinance of the Lord, and the practice of the apostles, namely, a baptism which is founded upon faith, and must be received as Christ has commanded, and as is written in Matthew.”
Then, treating of the words of the holy evangelists, respecting the unprepared condition in which the Pharisees came to the baptism of John, and that the latter rebuked them, saying: “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance,” he says by way of explanation: “Here it is to be well understood, that confession is not sufficient, but that also sorrow of heart, and good works, must be evinced. For, all outward actions, without renewing the spirit, cannot please God.” See the beforementioned _Mart. Mirr., p. 924, col. 1_. This matter will be shown more circumstantially in the account of his martyrdom, for the year 1592.
NOTE.--We could have filled this century with a very great number of salutary confessors respecting this article, had we not deemed this unnecessary and to no purpose; for no one who has but a little experience in history, will doubt it; since this was not one of the least points, on account of which an almost countless number of persons lost their lives in the last persecution, early in this century, and throughout to the close.
Now, in order to bring this account to an appropriate conclusion, we deem it not inadvisable, to add here a certain _Confession of Faith_, which very probably, was once contained in the _History of the pious Anabaptist Martyrs_, and is declared to have been the summary of their faith; though it may be (which we would not contradict), that they did not confess all said articles in precisely this form, but maintained more or less in regard to this or that point; which, however, if the true foundation of the same is retained, ought to, according to the nature of love, be borne with; especially in such persons who did not spare their dear lives, but gave them unto death, for their God and Savior. Nevertheless, we do not find that any of them entertained contrary views, much less, that they opposed said confession; which incited us the more to insert it here; hoping that it will be productive of at least some profit or good in these latter sorrowful and perverted times; the more to confirm the steadfast in the faith, as well as to give an occasion to the weak, to prove themselves wherein they have become weak, and how said weakness can be removed.
_About A. D. 1600._--The time when this confession, which we have just mentioned, was originated, we have not been able definitely to ascertain; but as it is stated concerning it, that, as far as the sense is concerned, it was believed, taught, and practiced, by those called Mennonites, already many years ago, even as at the time, when it was committed to the printer, namely, when the last persecution was almost over. We have therefore given it a place about the year 1600; that is about the close of this century. The title of it is: Confession of Faith according to the holy Word of God.
CONFESSION OF FAITH, ACCORDING TO THE HOLY WORD OF GOD.
ARTICLE I.
_Of the only God of heaven and earth._. By the grace of God, according to the import of the holy Scriptures, we believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only, eternal, almighty, and true God; who is the Creator of heaven and earth, with all things visible and invisible; so that all things derive their origin and being from him alone, and are all sustained, governed and upheld by his almighty word. He is a just, perfect, holy, incomprehensible and indescribable, spiritual Being; consisting of or through himself, Ex. 3:14, and not needing the help or assistance of any thing; but is himself the origin and fountain of every good thing. From his overflowing goodness every good and perfect gift proceeds and descends. And he is the living One, eternal, without beginning or end, an almighty, true God and Lord of Hosts, a commanding King over all, and above us all in heaven and earth, a terrible Judge and an avenging, consuming fire; the true Light, just, righteous and holy, full of grace and peace, and a God of love and of all comfort, longsuffering and of great mercy.
And this only good, and only wise, exalted God, who is all in all, dwells with his worshipful, glorious existence above in heaven, in a light which no man has seen, nor can see, and is present everywhere with his Spirit and power, filling heaven and earth, so that heaven is his throne, and the earth his footstool. From his all-seeing eye nothing is hid, but he is an omniscient hearer and beholder of the hearts and secret intents and thoughts of all men; all things being naked and open unto his eyes. 1 Cor. 4:5; Heb. 4:13.
And since he is such an omniscient God, full of all grace and mercy, and a God of all comfort, with whom alone the fountain of wisdom and all good gifts are to be found; and since he will not give this his divine honor to another, therefore all men are in duty bound, to seek, by ardent prayer and with a desiring heart, all grace, peace, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, in God alone and in none other.[216]
[216] Since God knows everything, believers can call upon him with a firm confidence; for he hears their cry and knows their wants.
And to this only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, before whose worshipful majesty the angels stand with trembling; whose word is true, and whose command is powerful; who is a righteous Judge over all; finally every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess, that he alone is Lord, to the praise of his glory.
And this only, eternal, true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, consists in one true Father, and one true Son, and one true Holy Ghost. And besides this only God there never has been another, nor ever will be.
Concerning this only, eternal God, read: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord. Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29.
Through Isaiah he speaks: For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me. Is. 46:9; 45:5; 44:6; 43:11; 41:4.
Through Paul he says: That an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 1 Cor. 8:4; 12:6; Eph. 4:6.
And in this only God we must necessarily believe to salvation, as the beginning and foundation of the Christian faith. Read: For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb. 11:6.
To believe in this God, is also called a principle of the Christian doctrine. Read Heb. 6:1; Jas. 2:19. John 17:8; 14:1; Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:9.
ARTICLE II.
_Of the eternal birth and Godhead of the only and eternal Son of God_, we confess: That the Son of God was born and proceeded from all eternity, in an ineffable manner, from the true God, his Father; of the essence and substance of the almighty God, as a Light from the true Light, true God from the true God; being in the form of God, the likeness of the invisible God, the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person; so that he was born and proceeded from God his Father as the brightness of the everlasting light, the immaculate reflection of the power of God, and the image of his goodness; being equal with his Father in essence, form, and attributes; as eternal, almighty, holy, and the like. For it is an inevitable consequence that like produces like.
Thus, as the stone spoken of by the prophet Daniel, which was cut out of the mountain without hands, and itself became a great mountain, is of the same essence and substance with the mountain; so also the precious, elect corner-stone, Jesus Christ, was born or proceeded from God the almighty Father (who is called a mountain and rock forever), and is of the same essence and substance with him. Hence, Christ Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, is to be believed in, confessed, served, honored, and worshiped by all believers, as the true God with his Father. But as this is also a matter of faith, and not of reason or comprehension, all this must be viewed, believed, judged, and spoken of not humanly, nor carnally, but divinely and spiritually.
Concerning this high, eternal birth, issue, and Godhead of the Son of God, read: “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” Ps. 2:7. “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son. And again, When he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world.” Heb. 1:5,6.
“So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee.” Heb. 5:5.
“And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” Acts 13:32,33. Observe, that this passage of Paul has reference not only to the raising up of Christ from the dead, but chiefly to his eternal birth from God his Father.
The prophet Micah, speaking of Bethlehem, says: “Out of thee shall he come forth that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Mic. 5:2; John 16:28,30.
Again, Paul says: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born (mark, _the first-born_) of every creature.” Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14.
Also John: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son (mark, _the only begotten Son_) which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” John 1:18 and 14.
Read also: Prov. 8:23; Dan. 2:34,45; Syr. 24:13; Rom. 8:29. Concerning the Godhead of Christ, read: Ps. 45:6; Heb. 1:8; John 1:1 and 20:28; Rom. 9:5; 1 John 5:20.
ARTICLE III.
_Of the Holy Ghost_ we believe and confess: That there is a true, real Holy Ghost, also comprehended in the only, eternal, divine essence; who proceeds from the Father and the Son and is the power of the Most High, by whom the Father and the Son operate, and through whom heaven and earth, and all the heavenly host were made. Hence, the divine attributes are ascribed to him; as eternal, almighty, holy, omniscient; who searches the deep things of the Godhead, knows what is in God, and goes through and searches all spirits, however subtle they may be. He is therefore confessed as the true God with the Father and the Son. And he is the subtile breath of the power of God, who with his divine inspiration illuminates and enkindles the heart of man, and confirms and leads him into all truth. He is given by God unto all who obey him. All that are led by this Spirit, are the sons of God. He that has not this Spirit, does not belong to God. He is called the real and earnest of the inheritance of all true children of God. He who blasphemes this Spirit, must never expect forgiveness. Christ also commands to baptize believers in the name of the Holy Ghost.
Concerning this only Spirit of God, read: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Gen. 1:1,2.
Through Paul we are taught: “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:4. “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:11,13. Read also: 2 Sam. 23:2; Eph. 4:4; Matt. 10:20; Luke 12:12; Matt. 3:16; John 1:32; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16.
ARTICLE IV.
_How Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are to be distinguished in certain attributes._ Of this we confess: That in the only eternal Divine Being there are not three mere names; but that each name has its true signification and attributes; so that there is a true real Father, of whom all things are; and a true, real Son, by whom are all things; and a true, real Holy Ghost, through whom the Father and the Son operate. The Father is the true Father, who begat the Son before all time, and from whom the Son proceeded and came, and by whom he [the Father] created and made all things; and through whom the Son was sent to be the Savior of the world. The Son was born of, proceeded and came from the Father; by whom the Father created all things, and who was sent by the Father, and came into the world, and, through the effectual power of the Most High was conceived by Mary, and born as man. He suffered, was crucified, died, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of his Almighty Father in heaven. The Holy Ghost is he that proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is sent by them; through whom the Father and the Son operate and work. He speaks not of himself, but whatsoever he has heard from the Father; he takes of the things of Christ, to show them to his own.
Hence there are, in the same divine Essence, in heaven, three true witnesses: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; of whom the glory of the only begotten Son of God appeared really and distinctively, in the form of a servant, on earth, and was also seen by John the Baptist, at the Jordan. And the Holy Spirit was also distinctively seen by the same John to descend, in the form of a dove, from God out of heaven, upon Christ and abide upon him. And the Father who is an invisible Spirit, and cannot be seen by mortal eye, let his voice be heard from heaven: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
These three true witnesses are distinctively spoken of, as follows: “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me.” John 5:31,32.
“I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me, beareth witness of me.” John 8:16–18,29,54; 1 John 5:20; John 16:32 and 15:24.
Again, Paul says: “There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim 2:5.
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 1:9.
Of the Holy Ghost, Christ says: “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive.” John 14:11,17; Matt. 12:32.
“But if I depart I will send him unto you. For he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:7,13,14.
How John, the man of God saw the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove. Read, “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22.
“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him and I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” John 1:32–34. Read also Mark 1:10.
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. Matt. 3:16.
Mark, how awfully they sin against the Most High, who, contrary to all these express words of the Holy Ghost, still dare say and maintain, that John did not see the Holy Ghost, but only a natural or created dove.
Hear also how the voice of the Father was heard from heaven: “And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17.
“For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory.” 2 Pet. 1:17. Read also: Ps. 110:1; 2 Esdr. 13:32; John 1:1; 1 Cor. 12:5; 1 John 5:7.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.” 1 John 5:7; 1 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 3:14.
ARTICLE V.
_That these three true witnesses are but one only true God._ Hereupon we confessed: That this must certainly follow, from the fact, that the Son proceeded or came forth from the eternal essence and substance of the Father; and that the Holy Ghost truly proceeds from the Father and Son, and is comprehended together with the Father and the Son in the only, eternal Divine Being.[217]
[217] These things are very difficult to understand, and above human reason; hence they are not to be comprehended by reason, but must reverently be embraced in faith.
Moreover, this is abundantly testified and confirmed by the divine works and attributes, which are ascribed in the holy Scriptures jointly to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, of which no angels in heaven, much less, any other creatures are capable, but which belong and are peculiar to the only God alone; as, the creating, governing, and upholding of heaven and earth with all things visible and invisible; the gracious Gospel sent from heaven; the sending out of the apostles to preach the same among all nations; the raising of man from the dead, and the giving of eternal life; and all divine worship, honor and reverence. Hence they are perfectly one, not only in will, words, and works, but also in essence, and in the eternal and indescribable godhead. Thus also in the divine works, so that whatsoever the Father does, the Son does likewise; and as the Father raises up the dead, even so the Son quickens whom he will; and all this they do in the power and with the cooperation of the Holy Ghost; and hence they can with reason and truth be called the _one God of heaven and earth_. Besides him, there has been no other God, neither shall another be found in all eternity. Hence in the term _one God_, Father, Son and Holy Ghost are comprehended.
On this subject read the prophet Jeremiah: “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom.” Jer. 10:11,12; Is. 44:24; Ps. 96:5.
“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” Ps. 33:6; Heb. 3:4; Acts 4:24.
“All things were made by him (Christ); and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3 and 5:19.
Concerning this perfect unity read: “My Father, which gave them me (says Christ) is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” John 10:29,30.
Christ said to Philip: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father. Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?” John 14:9,10; 12:45; 17:21.
How the Holy Ghost is also called God. Read what Peter said to Ananias: “Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?” And a little further on: “Thou has not lied unto men, but unto God.” Acts 5:3,4.
“Them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.” 1 Pet. 1:12.