Replacing one legalism with another

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Chad Mason brings up excellent points in his Jan. 8 article on infant baptism. Certainly any church that categorically rejects the rite of infant baptism has stumbled into legalism and is not open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. However, I fear that his suggested response, that “Mennonites ought to stop rebaptizing people—even those who request it,” is merely replacing one legalism with another.

I respect Mason’s theological concern about the dangers of individualism. However, I offer my own story as witness to the need for Anabaptism. Having been raised in a “culturally Christian” mainline church, I dropped my cultural religion upon arriving at college. After encountering Jesus Christ some years later, I discovered a calling to radically change my life. Had it not been for an evangelical, nondenominational missionary who knew the power of baptism, I might not have had the strength to wash away my past and discover new freedom. Soon after this moment of freedom, I encountered the Mennonites and found a home within the Anabaptist tradition.

I, like Mason, would encourage the church to think seriously about rebaptism but know that if we place restrictive measures upon the Holy Spirit’s rite of baptism, we risk confining ourselves in dogma.

Associated Issue: Mennonite but not Anbaptist - Jan. 8, 2008

Associated Article: Mennonite but not Anabaptist

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