This post consists entirely of excerpts from the chapter on Baptism (pages 81 to 88) in A Third Way, by Paul M Lederach, © 1980 by Herald Press.

In essence, baptism is the means through which the reborn believer commits himself or herself to a life of obedience, in the fellowship with other believers, and is enrolled in the visible community of salvation. . .  The nature of the church, the nature of salvation, and the nature of Christian life are involved in the Anabaptist-Mennonite understanding of baptism.

Baptism is the critical issue in realizing a regenerate, disciplined church.  Baptism is to be administered only to those who are able to covenant (or to pledge themselves) to God and His church.

Behind the administration of baptism stands the church that administers the ordinance.

But among the Anabaptists, the testimony of the one baptized was not enough.  The additional testimony of the congregation was needed.  It was not enough for a person to come to the congregation and say, “I have received the Holy Spirit.”  The claim had to be authenticated by brothers and sisters, who could say, “Yes, we see the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.”

A problem facing the church today is unauthenticated claims of professing Christians.

In addition to the oral confession of faith and the promise of faithfulness, . . . the one being baptized placed himself in the care, discipline, and fellowship of the faithful community. . .  The congregation also pledged to the one being baptized their love, care, and discipline.

At water baptism individual and congregational purity are united.  At baptism both the one baptized and the congregation pledge to each other and to God to live according to the rule of Christ.