The Way of Jesus: Peace, Simplicity, and Discipleship - Story

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The Anabaptist tradition asks a fundamental question: What would it look like to actually follow Jesus' teachings? The Sermon on the Mount isn't impossible idealism but God's practical blueprint for Christian living. When Jesus said 'Do not resist an evil person' (Matthew 5:39) and 'Love your enemies' (Luke 6:35), He meant it literally. This commitment to non-resistance has led Anabaptists to embrace pacifism, even when costly. We believe the way of Jesus is the way of peace, refusing to participate in violence or war. This isn't passive withdrawal but active peacemaking—seeking justice, reconciling enemies, and addressing systemic oppression through non-violent means. Discipleship involves following Jesus in all aspects of life, not just spiritual matters. This produces simple living, mutual aid, and shared community resources as modeled in Acts 2:44-47. We practice adult baptism because discipleship requires mature commitment—infants cannot choose to follow Jesus. Church discipline, practiced with love and restoration in mind, maintains community standards and supports struggling members. The priesthood of all believers means every Christian has direct access to God and responsibility for ministry. We emphasize the Bible's plain teaching over complex theological systems, asking 'What did Jesus do?' rather than 'What would happen if everyone did this?' The way of Jesus is narrow and costly, but it's the path to true life.