Brian Hamilton

Balthasar Hubmaier: Baptism and Discipline

“Where water baptism is not practiced, there is no church, no minister, neither brother nor sister; no fraternal discipline, exclusion or restoration. I speak here of the visible church as Christ does in Matt. 18. For there must be some outward confession or testimony sign by which outwardly brothers and sisters can know one another, though faith be in the heart alone. By receiving water baptism, the baptized publicly testify that they have pledged themselves to live henceforth according to the rule of Christ. By virtue of these vows, he they have submitted themselves to their brothers and sisters—that is, to the churches. If the baptized transgress, their brothers and sisters have the power to admonish, punish, exclude and restore. But it is not so with those who are without. Hear how Paul speaks both of those, who are without and within (1 Cor. 5). ‘I have written to you to have nothing to do with fornicators, but I speak not of the fornicators, for in that case you would have to go out of the world. But I said you should have nothing to do with them, that is, if anyone be called a brother, and is a fornicator, or a miser, or an idolator, or an evil-speaker, or a drunkard, or thief,—with such a one ye should not eat. For what have I to do with them which are without, that I should judge them? Do ye not judge those who are within? God will judge those who are without.’ Drive out from you those who are evil. But you may say: The brethren and sisters use this power of discipline in regard to the Lord’s Supper. He who offers to eat thereof and yet is a notorious sinner, is excluded. The answer: The brethren and sisters should, before they come together for the Lord’s Supper, be enrolled, and empowered to deal with offenders. The offender must have been admonished twice. From whence comes this power alone is not from the baptismal vow?”

— Balthasar Hubmaier, On the Christian Baptism of Believers, 4.X.

21 March 2007 |
tags: Anabaptist