What’s in a name? For Anabaptists, baptism is an essential part of their name, history, and practice.
Come for an afternoon of sharing and demonstration of the Baptismal History of the Bible Fellowship Church on Mar. 16, from 3-4:30 PM at Grace Bible Fellowship Church (1811 Old Bethlehem Pike North, Quakertown).
Mennonite Heritage Center Executive Director Joel Horst Nofziger stated, “This will be an exciting way to discuss how this crucial symbol of church membership has been and continues to be a formative experience for Christians.” This program and demonstration are part of the Mennonite Heritage Center’s programming commemorating 500 years of Anabaptism.
Historian Jill Davidson will offer an overview of baptism within the Bible Fellowship Church, followed by a baptismal demonstration with commentary by Pastor Tim Schmoyer of Whitehall Bible Fellowship Church. Providing a counterexample of baptism from the Mennonite church with commentary will be Pastor Dave Grieser of Salford Mennonite Church.
Together these talks and demonstrations will illustrate the importance of baptism in Anabaptism, as well as how groups within that tradition differ in their practice of the ordinance. It will be an opportunity to learn the purpose of baptism within the Anabaptist tradition and some of the logistics of performing a baptism.
The Mennonite church, named for Dutch Anabaptist Leader Menno Simons, arrived in North America in 1683. As it wrestled with how best to live out Christian faithfulness in the world, it endured several splits. One of those gave rise to the Bible Fellowship Church. Formerly the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church, the Bible Fellowship Church emerged from the Mennonite church in southeastern Pennsylvania during the middle of the nineteenth century. This new group participated in revival meetings and active evangelization. Like all traditions with roots in the Anabaptist movement, the Mennonite and Bible Fellowship Churches continue to practice baptism upon confession of faith.
This in-person event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.
Programming at the Mennonite Heritage Center shares Anabaptist-Mennonite stories in order to educate, inspire, and witness to the church and community.
Explore all the great events and attractions of Valley Forge and Montco at VFTCB.
