Mennonite beliefs

[jeff]

Bro. Ben—

I’ve been pondering this lately. I’ve been enjoying listening to some of the Charity tapes and messages that are on the Charity website. I listen to some Mennonite church messages as well. I’ve been greatly blessed by some of the music from the Antrim Mennonite Choir and others.

My question is this though, am I missing something? Is there a great difference in theology from what say an Independent Baptist might believe? I’ve looked at the statements of faith from some Conservative Mennonite churches and they read pretty much just like the one from my own church does.

I know there would probably be some differences, but are they on major doctrinal issues or just secondary convictions?

I guess what I am asking is “How do the conservative Mennonite beliefs differ from basic Baptist beliefs? Is there any teaching that I need to be wary of or look out for? Or am I safe listening to it?
I've not heard anything yet that raised a red flag.

I’ve talked to my pastor, but he honestly doesn’t know. It may be a bit of a stretch to say this, but there are NO Mennonite churches near here., so neither he nor I have any basis of experience with those beliefs, other than what we both can read in books or on the internet.

HELP!!

Thanks,

Jeff

[Brother Ben]

Baptists and Anabaptists have similar beliefs. Some modern-day rebel rouser independent Baptists call themselves anabaptist, but they miss the whole essence of the anabapatist movement of the 1500's.

The Mennonites, Amish, and Hutterites all descend from the follower of Menno Simons. He was a priest who converted to Biblical Christianity. He was not the founder of the anabaptists but was one of the most recognized.

Mennonite beliefs are similar in areas we all know:
Belief in:
1. The Godhead
2. The deity of Christ
3. Salvation by grace through faith.
4. The reliability of scriptures. etc.

Some of the ways they would differ would be in some areas like,

1. They practice foot washing as an ordinance of the church.
2. They believe in nonresistance.
3. They don't offices of government service.
4. They practice the head covering on the sisters.

There are other beliefs also, but not enough to cause one to not hear their message. The ones I have listened to have had a good impact on the practical aspects of my Christian life.

We being Baptists (with a "big B") as I've heard it put, can often villify everyone who is not just like "us." This is a bad practice, because it is my observation that the modern-day Baptists movement if a hybrid of beliefs accumulated over the centuries.

I hope that has been helpful.

Ben