This beautiful and challenging “statement of faith” was among the responses at last night’s gathering of the Atlanta Mennonite Fellowship. It is an extract from a larger writing of Meno Simmons, the Dutch Anabaptist leader from who the Mennonite’s gained their namesake. You will see the distinctive Anabaptist flavor in it, one which unequivocally states that faith will lead to good works. Often the Anabaptists were so explicit about the connection between faith and good works the Protestants accused them of being Catholic and so sure of their justification apart from works and based on faith alone that the Catholics accused them of being Protestants!
Statement of Faith
For true evangelical faith is of such a nature that it cannot lay dormant; but manifests itself in all righteousness and works of love;
it dies unto flesh and blood;
destroys all forbidden lusts and desires;
cordially seeks, serves and fears God;
clothes the naked;
feeds the hungry;
consoles the afflicted;
shelters the miserable;
aids and consoles all the oppressed;
returns good for evil; serves those that injure it;
prays for those that persecute it;
teaches, admonishes and reproves with the Word of the Lord;
seeks that which is lost;
binds up that which is wounded;
heals that which is diseased and saves that which is sound.
The persecution, suffering and anxiety which befalls it for the sake of the truth of the Lord, is to it a glorious joy and consolation.
- Menno Simons, Why I Do Not Cease Teaching and Writing, bold my own
What do you think of this focus of the Anabaptist? Do you see faith and works connected in your worshiping community? What is difficult about connecting the two for you?
