Independent Baptist churches vs Anabaptists

[Anthony Pritchard]

Convention men (Southern) at the local level long used the title Dom. (Director of missions)
But recently the official title was changed to Ms. (Mission strategist)

Huh. Personally I don't think I'd care to be called Tony, Ms.

 

[JonC]

The same is true of Baptist churches today. Baptist denominations and independent Baptist congregations vary widely, and many of them hold very narrow doctrinal distinctives of their own. In the case of the Independent Baptists, those variations are precisely what makes them independent.

I agree. What I mean, though, is Baptists would consider Anabaptists to be Baptists because of what they believe while Anabaptists would not consider Baptists Anabaptists because of what they do not believe.

But I am taking traditional positions. All of that has changed today. We have had Baptists baptizing infants, have elder rule, and we have had Anabaptists involved in politics, holding offices.

Traditionally Baptists hold to Baptists distinctives that Anabaptists share. But Anabaptist belief included things like a type of separation that socially isolates, a strict view of male and female conduct within a congregation, a strict view of non-violence, non-participation in politics, not holding office or voting.

Traditionally Anabaptist theology was not as influenced by the Reformation whereas Baptist doctrine benefitted from both Anabaptist doctrine and the foctrine of the Reformers (at least to a greater degree).

But today those boundaries are certainly less defined.

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

I agree. What I mean, though, is Baptists would consider Anabaptists to be Baptists because of what they believe while Anabaptists would not consider Baptists Anabaptists because of what they do not believe.

But I am taking traditional positions. All of that has changed today. We have had Baptists baptizing infants, have elder rule, and we have had Anabaptists involved in politics, holding offices.

Traditionally Baptists hold to Baptists distinctives that Anabaptists share. But Anabaptist belief included things like a type of separation that socially isolates, a strict view of male and female conduct within a congregation, a strict view of non-violence, non-participation in politics, not holding office or voting.

Traditionally Anabaptist theology was not as influenced by the Reformation whereas Baptist doctrine benefitted from both Anabaptist doctrine and the foctrine of the Reformers (at least to a greater degree).

But today those boundaries are certainly less defined.

Agreed.

Anabaptists historically held positions Baptists never adopted, strict non‑violence, political non‑participation, rigid gender roles, and a level of social separation that today’s Baptists have never embraced. Most Baptists today vote, hold office, serve in the military, participate in civic life, affirm just war theory, and believe Christians may lawfully engage the state. The historic Anabaptist would not find these positions agreeable. But they agree on the foundational distinctives of the faith once delivered.