The Amish Mafia

This 2012 Discovery series follows "Lebanon Levi" (born Levi King Stoltzfus, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, in 1979], along with three of his assistants, who are purported to protect the Amish community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. One of their opponents is Merlin, a man who (went to prison) is from another Amish sect from Ohio. Levi had seen the acts of Merlin and told his Bishop of the evil works, thus Merlin became shunned (ostracized from the Amish Community). Though he has been shunned from his people from Ohio, he protested this move since he was not yet baptized officially by his church.

The rest of this article is devoted to the subject of Amish Baptism. Through the studying this you will come to understand the customs of the Amish much better. You can see if Marvin was indeed correct, as he said that he was not really a member, so the shunning was invalid at this time according to the Amish traditions.

Amish Baptism

For the Amish, and others of the Anabaptist tradition, the act of joining the church through baptism has great importance. Over 400 years ago, their ancestors in Europe were often tortured and killed because of their belief in adult baptism. Anabaptist means "re-baptizer." These people were so-named because, although they had been baptized as infants in the State Church, they believed that one became a Christian only by a conscious decision as an adult. A book called the Martyrs Mirror describes the terrible sufferings thousands of Anabaptists endured at the hands of other Christians because of

this belief.

It is precisely because you join the church as an adult that you are expected to live up to your commitment and to the rules of the faith. If you do not, church discipline will follow.

Teenagers who feel they are ready to join the church begin the process by attending special instruction classes beforehand. There are usually nine of these, and they take place during regular church services. They study the Dordrecht Confession of Faith of 1632, which outlines the basic beliefs the Amish strive to uphold today. At a service prior to the baptisms, the congregation is asked if they will accept the applicants as brothers and sisters.

The baptism itself is part of a regular church service, normally two worship services prior to the autumn communion. After the service begins, the applicants are asked to leave the congregation for a few minutes. In private, they are reminded that they are making a promise for life. If they are uncertain as to this decision, now is the time to reconsider and turn back. Indeed, sometimes one or two of the applicants decides he is not really ready to become a church member. The boys are also asked to accept the possibility of becoming a minister, should the lot ever fall on one of them. When the applicants return, they often keep their heads bowed through part of the service.

After the hymns and sermons, the young people kneel. They are reminded that this is a promise to God, witnessed by those at the church service. Each is asked four questions, signaling their commitment to join the church. Then the prayer coverings are removed from the head of each girl, and the bishop raises each applicants head. He is assisted by the deacon who holds a wooden bucket. With a cup, the deacon pours some water from the bucket into the bishops hands and onto each applicants head three times, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The hand of each applicant is taken and they are helped to their feet as the bishop, in the Pennsylvania German dialect, says these words... "In the name of the Lord and the Church, we extend to you the hand of fellowship. Rise up,

and be a faithful member of the church" The boys are greeted as members with the Holy Kiss. The girls receive this blessing from the deacons wife.

This is an emotional experience and tears are not uncommon for the applicants and others in the congregation. While some of these young people may have "sowed some wild oats" prior to their joining the church, the seriousness of the moment must be clear. Now they are members of this congregation, have promised to abide by its rules, will marry in the faith, and assume the duties that the church may ask of them, such as becoming a minister. The consequences of straying from this path are also clear, with shunning and excommunication the most severe discipline for those who stray from the ways of the faith. Like their forefathers, they have made a commitment, but they will also receive much in return from the community of the faithful of which they have become members.

Though the Amish or any group is free to practice practically anything they want on the subject of baptism, here is what the scriptures say about baptism. Please take the time to study the word of God for yourself.

Water Baptism in Jesus Name Bible Study Important starting scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:4549, John 3:5, Romans 6:4-6, Acts 2:36-36, Galatians 3:27, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 3:20-21, ect.

I. What is it? Baptism is just one portion of the 3 steps required by the Bible for Salvation. It is a vital portion of ones commitment to Christ. It signifies new birth into the Kingdom of Heaven and makes you an heir with Christ. The

literal Greek translation of the word Baptism means to dip something into a fluid and then take it out again. It is a washing and cleansing. Example Revelation 1:5

II. Baptism signifies the following

1. Christs Death: Romans 6:4-6

2. Christs Burial: Colossians 2:11-12

3. Christs Resurrection: 2 Corinthians 5:17

III. Why do we get baptized? Answer: to signify the death, burial and resurrection. To cleanse us from our sins and provide us with remission and forgiveness. Lastly, to put on Christ. Galatians 3:27

IV. Before baptism: Repentance essential, then there are three (3) basic elements that accompany a Biblically authentic baptism

1. Water: Acts 1:5, Acts 8:36-39, Ephesians 5:26,

2. Blood: John 19:34, 1 John 5:6, Hebrews 9:22

3. Name: Acts 2:38, 4:12, 8:12, 10:44-48, 19:1-5, 1 Corinthians 3:11,

V. Who should get baptized?

1. Matthew 28:18-20

2. Mark 16:15-18

3. Luke 24:45-49

4. John 3:5

5. Acts 2:38-39

VI. When should we get baptized? Immediately!

a. Acts 8:12 Phillip baptized as soon as people became believers

b. Acts 8:36-38 Phillip baptized as soon as water was present

c. Acts 9:18 Saul or Paul immediately following Annanias instructions

d. Acts 10:48 Peter commanded Cornelius and his household to be baptized

e. Acts 16:30-33 The Phillipian Jailers entire family was baptized the same night of the Paul and Silas jailbreak.

f. Expressions likeWhy tarriest thou?, the same hour of the night and straightway describe the urgency to act right away.

VII. Re-baptism: I was baptized as a child or in another faith, should I be rebaptized?

a. When the Apostle Paul was asked this question, here was his response: Acts 19:1-5