Should baptism be tied to making a commitment to uphold church standards and guidelines

As far as I can see, this is where they become rules taught by men, Deut 4:2, Matt 15:1-9. A better approach would be to hold their standards up as a good application of Biblical principles without requiring it. When you do this, of course there will be some that don't hold the standard, and this either means there is a lack of conviction in that area, or there are actually legitimate ways to keep those principles without holding your standards.

Hi Dan thanks for sharing I appreciate that.

Which traditions you feel stand in the way for new converts? Can you be more specific?

Well I think it varies by individual and congregation. I will share one of my personal struggles. As a young adolescent youth I had learned to play the guitar. As a young teenager in high school I had spent hours and hours playing my guitar and I was very talented. In my early twenties I began associating and visiting an anabaptist church. This particular congregation had a church standard against playing musical instruments. I really enjoyed playing and singing gospel music. And I realized if I applied to become a member I would need to leave that part of my life behind. I had quite a few of my Famliy members including my dear mother, who strongly encouraged my musical gift. Once my aunt told me “never please never stop playing your guitar”. It was a very difficult choice for me. But today I have no regrets. I began focusing my passions on other things. Today as dedicated celibate Christian I am very much focused on prayer and bible study. Had I continued my journey as a musician I am not sure where I would be today, but I think I would probably not be quite as dedicated in my prayer life. That being said not all conservative anabaptist churches take this stance concerning musical instruments From what I understand quite a few of them have no problem with it except perhaps in congregational worship. You may know of the Nolt Famliy or the Stoltzfus Famliy. I love their music. I think every congregation is different. You just have to visit and see. From what I understand if you are the same Maria who posted not long ago introducing yourself you may perhaps be from a non anabaptist background as well. I would be interested hearing your story. You could message me if you would like to, here on historic fath website. God bless you

Nathanael, thank you for sharing the guitar story in your walk with Christ. I think you're right that it depends on the congregation. Even in the Old Testament we have Psalms sang with musical instruments, so I don't see why not sing with them in the New Testament, it's not inherently a sin unless there are wrong motives behind it. However, if your local church is really against it and it may offend some brethren, it is best to not play the guitar in their presence for their sake. Remember Scriptures, especially the greatest of the musicians of Israel (King David), he played the lyre for King Saul and wrote some of the Psalms that were sang on the lyre...None of that was sin and it was acceptable to the Lord. Psalm 92:1 "It is good to give thanks to the Lord And to sing praises to Your name, Most High; 2 To declare Your goodness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night, 3 With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, With resounding music on the lyre. 4 For You, Lord, have made me joyful by what You have done, I will sing for joy over the works of Your hands." Stay blessed brother.

Hi Nathanael,

Your title on this discussion caught my eye.

I, too, have questioned that a lot, I will just share a little of my story.
I grew in an old order Amish Church. Which I have much respect for, however my breaking point of no longer following their traditions, (removing me and my family from their Fellowship) was when they required us to no longer bring bibles to church, and no longer gather for bible studies. All based on, "we've never done that". (Traditions)
I struggle with:

if I encounter a new convert I can't bring him/her to "my church" to be baptized if they:
Don't dress in a SPECIFIC way
Wear certain shoes
Don't have hair the required length
Drive a car

And we're called to be salt and a light to the world, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom throughout the Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19) Yet this doesn't seem to be the focus. To me, things which are not clearly laid out in Scripture should not stand in the way of baptism. Maybe you or someone else can give me a healthier view of church standards, in my experience they to often get elevated to a place they ought not.

Things I appreciate and respect, about my Amish upbringing, is the teaching from scripture alone (putting rules aside) Topics like Salvation, (can one lose his salvation), view of baptism and communion were surprisingly very similar to what I later learned the Early Christians believed. And many other things like a more simple lifestyle, helping each other with building etc. and the list could go on.

This is a little of what I experienced. Please pray for my wife and I, and our two young sons as we continue to seek the Lord.

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, brother.

Any comments or thoughts are welcome.

Thank you brother Josiah for sharing. I actually really appreciate and agree with you. I also appreciate your courage to open up. I would like to share a little from 1 Corinthians ch8. Quoting from the NKJV versus 8-9. “But food does not commend is to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.”  I personally believe the word and subject of “food” could easily be substituted by many other words. This is simply my opinion but I believe that, personal convictions that were at one point held by the majority, are what shapes much of our anabaptist church standards. And I am ok with carrying the burdens of my weaker brothers. But when the traditions of men begin to make void the commandments of God, I think we ought to obey God rather than man. I hope you follow my direction of thought. I would plainly tell you more, but I do not want to step to heavy on the toes of my weaker brothers. God bless you, rest assured I completely support and agree with you.

Nathanael, I believe the very fact you struggle with questions of the traditions of men in your church is a good sign. Consider that many church goers don't struggle with these type of things, they fit right in and have an "at home" so to speak experience at church. But look at the many prophets in Scripture, even Jesus: they were persecuted by the covenant people of God for their faith and righteousness...Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented38 (people of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes in the ground.