Salvation
Mennonites believe that the Holy Spirit is the agent of the new birth or salvation. Menno Simons, one of the first leaders of the Mennonite church, said that the Holy Spirit “adorns us with heavenly and divine gifts, frees us from sin, gives us boldness, and makes us cheerful, peaceful, pious, and holy.”
Mennonites believe that salvation encompasses the whole person, impinging on every dimension of life. The person becomes a “new creation” through repentance. When we hear the good news of the love of God, the Holy Spirit moves us to accept the gift of salvation. Our response includes yielding to God’s grace, placing full trust in God alone, repenting of sin, turning from evil, joining a church fellowship, and living a life of obedience in word and deed. We believe that people undergo a variety of experiences in accepting salvation. Some have crisis conversions, while others hear the proclamation of salvation and are gradually nurtured by the community of faith before they make a commitment. Rather than supernatural signs as we usually think of them, Mennonites speak more about the peace we receive when we accept Christ as Savior — and for us this is a “supernatural sign.” Through Christ’s death on the cross, we have both peace with God and with other believers.
