[Dear MAP Ministry...]

The Amish began as a small group of reform-minded Mennonites along the southern Rhine River and in Switzerland. They split from the main movement in 1693. The name of their group comes from their founder: Jacob Amman (~1664 -1720). 5 He was an obscure reformer about whom little is known. He felt that the Mennonites had drifted away from their original beliefs and practices. He wanted them to return to a stricter observance of the writings of Simons and on the 1632 Mennonite Dordrecht Confession.

The split with the Mennonites was mainly over:

The frequency of communion: Amman advocated twice a year instead of once. Believers preceded communion with a time of spiritual introspection. Amman felt that this might help the membership to be more diligent in their Christian life if it were performed every six months.

The practice of foot washing, which Amman reintroduced. It had fallen out of use by most Mennonite groups.

The process of shunning of non-conforming members. Amman felt that the Mennonites were too lax and had allowed the practice to fall into disuse. He treated shunning very seriously and took it one step further. He required the spouse of a person under the ban to neither sleep nor eat with the sinner, until they had repented and changed their behavior or beliefs. Hans Reist, a leader of the main Mennonite body, argued that Jesus had socialized with known sinners and had kept himself pure; he reasoned that Christians in the late 17th century could do the same without resorting to shunning.

After a few years as a separate organization, Amman and his supporters attempted to reconcile with the main Mennonite movement. This was unsuccessful. Since then, the two groups have been separate. However, they generally retain close ties and often cooperate on joint projects.

Starting in the early 18th century, many of the Amish migrated to the U.S. Most of the members who remained in Europe rejoined the Mennonites. Few Amish congregations existed by 1900. On 1937-JAN-17, the last Amish congregation -- in Ixheim, Germany -- merged with their local Mennonite group and became the Zweibrücken Mennonite Church. The Amish no longer existed in Europe as a organized group

[Simon Peter]

Jakob Amman was a Swiss Mennonite that tried to revive the church by using his 'fleshly mind' instead of being filled with the'Holy Spirit'.

Upon careful study of history a person can't help but feel sorry for Jacob Amman back in the late 1600's to early 1700's. He must have felt he had truth that no one else knew about. He was very aggressive in excommunicating everyone that didn't agree with his point of view.

In 1690, Hans Reist and Jacob Amman, were Mennonite Church leaders in Western Europe. Disagreements developed concerning some religious practices that were taking place in their congregation. In 1693, after a confrontation with Reist's followers, Amman excommunicated Reist and his supporters. Consequently, the entire Mennonite community was in shock. Jacob Amman was causing divisions within the Mennonite church. (on issues that were not specifically mentioned in the Bible)

Over the next several years nearly half of all the Mennonites were excommunicated. Eventually, some were able to begin reasoning with Jacob Amman. After searching his own soul, and considering the divisions he had been responsible for within the Mennonite church, Jacob Amman and some of his followers attempted to rejoin Reist’s Mennonite church.
To prove repentance, Jacob Amman excommunicated himself and his supporters from his own church. He tried to rejoin the Mennonites in 1699, and again in 1700. The Mennonites deemed this unacceptable since doctrinal differences and disagreements of interpretation of scriptures and traditions would always exist.
Can you imagine how all the divisions and contentions must have looked to Jacob when he actually came to his senses and tried to stop what he started?

Jacob Amman eventually started his own church, thus becoming the founder and leader of the Amish religion of today. Amman was still excommunicated from the Mennonite church when he died. He was so strong on excommunication and yet he excommunicated himself before he died. He must have been a miserable man.

On October 2, 1727, the first Amish families migrated to America, settling in Philadelphia. They now have formed many Amish communities throughout North & South America, as well as Canada. In North America alone, there are more than 230,000 Amish people living in more than 411 settlements in 29 plus states. Ohio has the largest population of Amish people.

There are many different denominations within the Amish religion today. One will find Old Order, New Order, Beachy, Tobe, Troyer, and Swartzentruber Amish, to name a few. While some denominations are less conservative than others, generally, their hope of eternal life is largely based on their loyalty in keeping the rules and traditions passed down by their forefathers.

These rules and traditions eventually needed ammendments in order for them to still be effective. This has been one of rhe greatest deceptions in the Amish churches. Theses traditions and rules have become the focus... instead of Jesus Christ.( When Peter took his eyes off Jesus... he started sinking.)

Soon the rules that had ammendments needed more ammendments to be effective. This in turn causes the church to have form of godliness but it becomes powerless when trying to build on our own strength and wisdom. This type will continuously have divisions, strife and ill feelings.

Every sowing will have a reaping.

Simon Peter

[Eli Stutzman]

Quote

These rules and traditions eventually needed ammendments in order for them to still be effective. This has been one of rhe greatest deceptions in the Amish churches. Theses traditions and rules have become the focus... instead of Jesus Christ.( When Peter took his eyes off Jesus... he started sinking.)

Simon Peter and DMM, in your studies of our history, have you any ideas what Mennonite and Amish faith looked like in the early years? Was it based on historical (martyrs) events and they considered themselves heirs because of natural human descendency? OR, was it ever based on personal faith in Jesus Christ? I'm just curious whether the new birth experience was lost or never was a part of our forefathers life.

[Valerie]

Simon Peter, what you shared is excellent-I've often wondered what part the Holy Spirit had in the beginnings of the Amish-

Eli, not to jump in ahead of Simon Peter's answer, which I too look forward to, but there is an excellent 7 tape series (or CD) called "Christ in Early Anabaptism"- it is free-as all tapes/cd's from Charity Gospel Tape Ministry, which is Christian church with Anabaptist faith- you can order it by going on to www.charityministries.org and click on Charity Gospel Tape Ministry-It is under Sets, Set 166 is it's #- It goes into all of that plus more. Very interesting, and informative for anyone interested.

[Simon Peter]

Eli Stutzman said:

Simon Peter and DMM, in your studies of our history, have you any ideas what Mennonite and Amish faith looked like in the early years? Was it based on historical (martyrs) events and they considered themselves heirs because of natural human descendency? OR, was it ever based on personal faith in Jesus Christ? I'm just curious whether the new birth experience was lost or never was a part of our forefathers life.

Thanks for sharing your info, Valerie.

You have asked some very good questions, Eli and I'd like to hear your answers to your questions. There is something today that all Amish and Mennonites must conform to...the constituency of the church(denomination).The 'constituency' is actually the 'constitution' of the denomination. This sounds like a political government to me. This is a people following people generation.... Jesus wants us to follow Him NOT our forefathers, Anabaptists, traditions, a mans constitution, etc, etc.

There may be a few exceptions.. but most of the Anabaptists had no focus on themselves...it was all about Jesus. Today it's more about our constitution that was written up by our leaders.. or our forefathers 'confession of faith'. Jesus wants to know OUR confession of faith... not some policy written up by people we don't even know.

Jacob Ammann excommunicated many people because they didn't see things the way he saw it.. And the Swiss Brethern excommunicated Jacob and refused to reinstate his membership as long as he was stirring up strife. Jacob, before he died tried to stop the excommunication frenzy he started. His group would have none of it. Jacob excommunicated himself in order to prove his sincerity.. and he died while excommunicated.

It reminds me of the story of 'Queen Esther'. Haman was killed on the gallows that he built for someone else. Jacob Ammann was also caught in the very thing he so strongly applied to other people. I marvel to see people blindly follow him and have no idea who and why they are following.

Let's follow Jesus... the perfect example!!

Simon Peter

[Simon Peter]

ELI STOLTZFUS, on 04 March 2010 - 04:04 PM, said:

HELLO THERE YES I DO READ THIS DISCUSSION BOARD A LOT I WAS JUST WONDERING IF SOMEBODY COULD TELL ME WHERE I COULD PICK UP A HISTORY BOOK AS FAR AS JACOB AMMON EXCUMUNICATING HIM SELF ECT

Hi Eli,

Welcome to the forum. It's a blessing to hear from new friends.

I have found a book that is available on a website. This is a A 162 page autobiography by Mary Schrock. I'm not sure this book has the self excommunication details. I haven't read this book.

Copy and paste this link.. --> --> http://www.thegreaterinheritance.com

Click on the tab at the top that reads 'Amish History' to read about Jacob Amman excommunicating himself, etc. etc.

Click on the 'Home' tab to see the tab for the book.

Eli, I have found a lot of information regarding how the Amish got started... and to me it's somewhat depressing to discover how open I was to deception. In my heart I feel like shouting the truth from the rooftops and sounding the trumpet of truth for all the Amish to hear.... Like being a spiritual 'Paul Revere.' This, of course, will not be acceptable to the Amish. We need to have commpassion and above all be led by the 'Holy Spirit'. Those divine appointments are awesome!!

I am so thankful for the MAP ministry that Joe Keim and his staff put together. I believe this ministry is a 'lighthouse' to the many people that are lost at sea. Are there critics? Yes. On the other hand there are people finding the truth and being set free from captivity and the powerful grip of sin.

I can imagine hearing the rejoicing in heaven when a lost sheep is found by the true Shepherd. Hallelujah.

Oh, by the way.... Joe sent me an email recently informing me of various financial needs because of people needing immediate assistance in finding a home, food, job, etc.

If anyone(reading this) feels the nudge to contribute to this cause feel free to go to http://mapministry.org and click on the 'donate to MAP' link.
(Joe, I hope I'm not in trouble for posting this paragragh.) I had to think of IJohn3:17.....But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

God bless you all!!

Simon Peter

[lionshmglbn]

Hi Simon Peter,

I heard you loud and clear, your shouting over the rooftop, on behalf of your kin.

last night as I was about to step out of my car, I found found four $20 bills on the ground. I picked it up, thanked the Lord and asked what God wanted me to do with it. Well the answer came to me today when you mentioned in your post that my most favorite people in the world have a great need. So I gladly went to the site you had a link for, and donated all of it to the ministry. I have been donating to 'Christophers Inn' that is run by Graymoor church, Garrison, ny. for the last 22 yrs. They help people with addictions and those who are in great need, homeless as well. Well, now I will help the MAP ministry as well whenever I can.

God sure acts in mysterious ways,... and I sure know that he has taken care of me and my family whenever we were in need of his help.

With gratitude,

lionshmglbn.

[Joe Keim]

lionshmglbn, on 03 May 2010 - 01:45 PM, said:

Hi Simon Peter,

I heard you loud and clear, your shouting over the rooftop, on behalf of your kin.

last night as I was about to step out of my car, I found found four $20 bills on the ground. I picked it up, thanked the Lord and asked what God wanted me to do with it. Well the answer came to me today when you mentioned in your post that my most favorite people in the world have a great need. So I gladly went to the site you had a link for, and donated all of it to the ministry. I have been donating to 'Christophers Inn' that is run by Graymoor church, Garrison, ny. for the last 22 yrs. They help people with addictions and those who are in great need, homeless as well. Well, now I will help the MAP ministry as well whenever I can.

God sure acts in mysterious ways,... and I sure know that he has taken care of me and my family whenever we were in need of his help.

With gratitude,

lionshmglbn.

Thank you lionshmglbn, for giving to MAP today. I saw your gift come through and was humbled. It is my prayer that the Lord will multiply that $80 gift and bring souls into His kingdom.

[lionshmglbn]

Hi Joe Keim,

I only wish the Lord will make it possible for me to give much more to deserving people in great need. I am a successful appliance salesman, but not making as much money as I used to, before the recession. But as is evident, God provides me what I need.
There are multi millionaires in my family, but I pay my own way without much help from them at all, even though they practically beg me to let them give me all the financial assistance that I would ever need. I except very little and only to please them, because they mean well and they are my very own.
When the Lord blesses me with my own great wealth I will give as much as I can to people in need , as I always do. I myself live a very happy, peaceful modest life, unlike the rich folks who are burdened with great stress and worries.

Praying that the MAP ministry and my favorite people will recieve all the help they deserve.

May God Bless us all,

lionshmglbn