Andrew Smuel And Dirk Pieters. The Defense And Confession Of Faith Which They Made At Amsterdam Before The Commissaries, And Confirmed With Their Death, In The Year 1546.

Ques. “Why did you not hear him?”

Ans. “Because James says in his first chapter: A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Ques. “Well, what did he say?”

Ans. “I have heard say that he said that man can not be saved through the death of Christ alone.”

Ques. “Did he say amiss in this?”

Ans. “Yes; Paul says: By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:39.

Ques. “It is well known that we can not be saved through the law.”

Ans. “Peter says, that there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby they can be saved, than through the name of Jesus Christ.”

Ques. “How long is it since you were baptized?”

Ans. “Ever since I was born.”

Ques. “Are you satisfied, that you can be saved by baptism?”

Ans. “I believe to be saved through the death of Christ.”

Ques. “We nevertheless must know whether you believe that you will be saved by it?”

Ans. “I believe to be saved through the death of Christ.”

Ques. “If you had the opportunity, would you not be baptized again?”

Ans. “I know not; for God knows both to will and to do.”

Ques. “Still, we want to know whether you regard the baptism which you received in your infancy as the true baptism, or that which is administered on faith?”

Ans. “If this is all you want to know, it is written that the Lord said to his apostles: ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.’ Mark 16:15,16. Further, the men said to Peter and the other apostles: ‘What shall we do to be saved? Repent, he said, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many 460 as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people.’ ” Acts 2:37–47.

Ques. “There you say yourself, that the apostles went into the temple?”

Ans. “Yes, this is true; that was a temple which God had commanded to be built.”

Ques. “The apostles certainly went forth to teach; where did they go to teach?”

Ans. “Whithersoever they came, they went into the synagogues, and preached the Gospel of Christ.” Acts 13:14.

Ques. “We have heard, that you also teach wherever you go?”

Ans. “O Lord, what should I preach; we may have read the gospel together.”

Ques. “Where did you read it together?”

Ans. “At the dyke.”

Ques. “With whom did you read it?”

Ans. “This I do not know.”

Ques. “How should you not know with whom you read it?”

Ans. “How should I know it, sometimes with this one, and sometimes with another.”

They therefore mentioned the names of a good many, and said: “Do you know this and that one?”

Ans. “Yes, I know them well.”

Ques. “Have you any books of Menno Simon and of David Joris?”

Ans. “No, I have no books in the house, except a Bible and a Testament, and a little book on the faith.”

Thus they asked me many questions, and said, that so much had been reported, how we had preached in this and that place, and that there was no town where he had been, but they knew it better than myself.

Now, my dear brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to strengthen and keep you, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:32. Hence, let every one see to it, that no one be so presumptuous as to pour water into the living fountain; for the Lord says, John 6:44–46: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father.” Is. 54:13. Therefore dear brethren and sisters, let us with one accord pray to God for wisdom, as the apostle James teaches us, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, which is hypocrisy; hence let us follow our supreme Lord and Shepherd Christ, and praise him through God the Father, unto whom be praise forever and ever, Amen.