Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
In the Schleitheim Confession excerpt, baptism is for those who have “learned repentance and amendment of life” and who “walk in the resurrection of Jesus Christ”—what does that requirement assume about God’s intentions for converts, and how does it confront common evangelical expectations of speed, ease, and “decisions”?
Another way to ask: If baptism is for people who have repented and changed their lives, what does that say God wants from new believers? How does that push back on quick, easy “decisions” for Christ?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests Schleitheim assumes God intends conversion to produce a visible, ongoing transformation—repentance, a changed life, and a “walk” in Christ’s resurrection, not a one-time decision. This confronts “easy believism” by requiring evidence of change before baptism and treating salvation as a lived discipleship.
- Schleitheim’s baptism language: for those who have “learned repentance and amendment of life” and “believe truly that their sins are taken away by Christ.”
- The speaker stresses they never taught earning salvation: “saved through the blood of Christ… never taught we can earn our salvation by good works.”
- Yet it’s not a moment only: “You don’t just get saved. It’s not a one-time event, but you walk in the resurrection of Christ. It’s a whole way of life.”
- He contrasts this with Reformers: “It isn’t going to be easy believism like… you just believe and you’re saved.”
- He says Anabaptists “wanted to see evidence… before they would even baptize somebody.”