Nuanced
Adult baptism by pouring; Lord's Supper observed; foot washing practiced
Hutterites practice adult believer's baptism (by pouring) as the rite of entry into the community of faith and the community of goods. Baptism is administered after a period of instruction and represents the individual's voluntary commitment to the Bruderhof's communal way of life. Those who leave the colony and return in repentance may be received back without rebaptism.
The Lord's Supper is observed periodically and is preceded by careful self-examination and reconciliation within the community. Foot washing is practiced as an ordinance of humility. These practices are communal acts that express the unity and equality of colony members before God.
Key Distinctions
- Term used:
- ordinances
- Sacrament count:
- two (Baptism and Lord's Supper)
- Baptism mode:
- immersion or pouring
- Baptism recipients:
- adult believers upon joining the community
- Eucharist presence:
- symbolic memorial
Scripture References
Sources
- Peter Riedemann, Rechenschaft (1542)
- Hutterite Five Articles (1547)