These are three confessions of faith on the topic of loving enemies from the Mennonite – Anabaptist tradition. The first two are important historical confessions. The third is from our church constitution.
The Schleitheim Confession (1527) Article 6 – The Sword, #1
“We have been united as follows concerning the sword. The sword is an ordering of God outside the perfection of Christ. It punishes and kills the wicked and guards and protects the good. In the law the sword is established over the wicked for punishment and for death and the secular rulers are established to wield the same.
But within the perfection of Christ only the ban [church discipline] is used for the admonition and exclusion of the one who has sinned, without the death of the flesh, simply the warning and the command to sin no more.
Now many, who do not understand Christ’s will for us, will ask; whether a Christian may or should use the sword against the wicked for the protection and defense of the good, or for the sake of love.
The answer is unanimously revealed: Christ teaches and commands us to learn from Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart and thus we shall find rest for our souls (Mt. 11:29). Now Christ says to the woman who was taken in adultery (Jn. 8:11), not that she should be stoned according to the law of His Father (and yet He says, ‘What the Father commanded me, that I do’) (Jn. 8:22) but with mercy and forgiveness and the warning to sin no more, says: ‘Go, sin no more.’ Exactly thus should we also proceed, according to the rule of the ban [church discipline].”
The Dordrecht Confession (1632) Article 14 – Of Revenge:
“As regards revenge, that is, to oppose an enemy with the sword, we believe and confess that the Lord Christ has forbidden and set aside to His disciples and followers all revenge and retaliation, and commanded them to render to no one evil for evil, or cursing for cursing, but to put the sword into the sheath, or, as the prophets have predicted, to beat the swords into ploughshares. Matthew 5:39, 44; Romans 12:14; 1 Peter 3:9; Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3; Zechariah 9:8, 9.
From this we understand that therefore, and according to His example, we must not inflict pain, harm, or sorrow upon any one, but seek the highest welfare and salvation of all men, and even, if necessity require it, flee for the Lord’s sake from one city or country into another, and suffer the spoiling of our goods; that we must not harm any one, and, when we are smitten, rather turn the other cheek also, than take revenge or retaliate. Matthew 5:39.
And, moreover, that we must pray for our enemies, feed and refresh them whenever they are hungry or thirsty, and thus convince them by well-doing, and overcome all ignorance. Romans 12:19, 20.
Finally, that we must do good and commend ourselves to every man’s conscience; and, according to the law of Christ, do unto no one that which we would not have done to us. 2 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 7:12.”
Cedar Street Constitution: Peace and Nonresistance
“We believe that peace is the will of God. The peace God intends for humanity and creation was revealed most fully in Jesus Christ. As followers of Jesus, we participate in His ministry of peace and we find our blessing in making peace and seeking justice. We do so in a spirit of gentleness, willing to be persecuted for righteousness sake. As disciples of Christ, we do not prepare for or participate in war, hostility or prejudice. Therefore, Cedar Street members are asked to come to this conviction and refrain from any activities or expressions in their lives that do not represent this understanding of the will of God. Matthew 5:38-48; 6:14-15; 26:52-53; Luke 2:14; Romans 12:14-21; Ephesians 2:11-18; 1 Peter 2:21-24.”
