“I Baptize You in the Name of the Father…”

Written by: Linda Maendel on Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

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Since God in His grace has been merciful to you and through the death of Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, and the intercession of the Church has forgiven and remitted your sins. May He fill you with the powers from on High and write your name in the Book of Eternal Life. May He keep you as a true Brother/Sister in the Church to serve Jesus until the end, Amen.

This has to be one of the most moving benedictions I know. It’s given right after the pouring of the water for each person baptized in the Hutterian church. This water and all it symbolizes touches and unites the hearts of all in attendance.

Upon confession of faith and vowing to remain faithful to God and the church, young people are baptized on Palm Sunday. Weeks before, those longing to take this all important step of faith, receive counselling from church leaders. This includes instruction and/or discussions on what starting a new life in God means, and how this translates into being a faithful, contributing member of the church community.

A few days leading up to baptism, special teachings from Romans 6 and Matthew 28  are observed; further instruction for the baptism candidates and also a time for reflection and thanksgiving for all baptised brothers and sisters in the Lord.

And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. 1 Peter 3:21.

Showing 10 comments

Suzanne said:
On: 10th Apr, 2013 at 02:53

I have been moved to research the Hutterites. I did not know anything about your community, but my mom in Wyoming is having a well drilled on her farm by some local Hutterite members and she is impressed with how fair their prices are for the work they do. I want to commend the Hutterite people for their beautiful and truly Christ-like way of life. I’m spiritual but not religious, and I have always dreamed of living in a communal setting though it is hard in this day and age. Blessings to you all!

Nancy said:
On: 30th Jul, 2014 at 14:40

I am researching the genealogy of my father’s mother. Her last name was Amsler (Omsler). Her family were Habaner Hutterites. They came from Switzerland to Moravia then to Slovakia. Joannes and Heinrich Amsler left the community between 1778 – 1780. After Joanne’s died in October 1783, Henricus (along with Joann Koller , Tobias Wolmann, wives and children) tried to join the community in Russia but they were caught and put in jail. I was wondering why the Amsler name is not included in the list of Habaner names. If you have additional information about the Amsler name and decendants of mine I would be very greatful. I know that my ancestors were potters and other skilled craftsmen. Some but not all ancester names were Henricus, Paulus, Ulricus, Joannes, Tobias Amsler. Other names are Juditha, Josephus, Andreas Poley, Theresa Roth, Anna Stahl married Tobias Amsler. Witnesses were Joannes Pernhauser, Joannes Csederle, Sebastians Rach, Andreas and Ferdinandus Nuk, Martinus Boykovsky, Andreas Bulek. Looking forward to your input.
Thank You,
Nancy

    Lindamaendel said:
    On: 11th Jan, 2016 at 20:22

    Do you have the book, The Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren? That might answer some of your questions. Other than that, I’m not sure what else to suggest. So sorry about that.

      Nancy said:
      On: 21st Dec, 2016 at 03:55

      Yes, I do have both volumes. They helped me tremendously to find information about my ancestors. The last piece I found of the puzzle is mentioned in my post below dated 12 Jan 2016. Still missing a few links to the whole picture. I was able to locate my paternal grandfather Uhl’s Bible from 1623 with his name inside it. It was bought five years ago by a Historian from Germany. So sad that I was not able to locate it before it was sold. Our family would have cherished having it.

Nancy said:
On: 11th Jan, 2016 at 17:52

An update to my previous post. Joannes did not die at that time. He chose to stay in Slovakia while Henricus wanted to go to Russia to join the other Hutterites there. (as per pages 115 and 117 of the book “From Tyrol to North America: The Hutterite Story Through the Centuries”

    Linda said:
    On: 28th May, 2016 at 13:40

    I’ve never read the book you mention, but it sounds interesting, as does the story of your ancestors.

    Lindamaendel said:
    On: 21st Dec, 2016 at 14:52

    Who wrote the book you mention here, Nancy?

      Nancy said:
      On: 24th Apr, 2017 at 23:51

      The author is Astrid von Schlachta

salma said:
On: 28th May, 2016 at 07:04

I’m so eager to know there is still Christians in the 21st century that still live such a holly life. I am Christian and I love learning about the hutterites and amish their simple way of life makes them so interesting when I see them I feel like I need to be more Christian to deserve heaven and that there is no excuse for us Christians not to live a holly life like them. I always had a question though but I’ve never met an Amish or a Hutter to ask them in person how do they baptize and what name or names do they use???? do they baptize in the name of Jesus Christ like the first Christians or do they baptize in the titles or names of father son and holly sprit? if anyone knows an Amish or a Hutter I would like to know this simple question thank you sorry for my English is not so good!! God bless!

    Lindamaendel said:
    On: 28th May, 2016 at 13:47

    As the title of this post indicates, Hutterites baptize, ‘In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.’