The German Lutherans in America once had a powerfully true confession that would have prevented so many subsequent problems not only in the church but perhaps the nation. At some point their descendants grew shy about sharing that confession in English, but we’re here to share what should have been transferred to English-speaking Christendom.

Following three pages of prayers, the first questions in the rite for adult baptism in the 1902 Church Agenda translate as follows:

  Here the following questions are asked of the one to be baptized:
Do you renounce the Devil?
Answer: Yes!
And all his works?
Answer: Yes!
And all his ways, especially the Jewish (heathen, Unitarian, separatist) unbelief and blasphemy? (the gross and dangerous Anabaptist errors and enthusiasm?)
Answer: Yes!

We see the same text still included in the 1922 edition with the addition of brackets before insonderheit ‘especially’:

Why were the brackets added? Was this part of the question considered less important by then? We find the answer in another change that was made in the second paragraph of the prayer at the beginning of this rite, which reads:

“And also thy present servant (maid), born of Jewish (heathen etc.) parents, has to thank this thy undeserved grace and unfathomable mercy alone that his soul has been freed from damnation. Before now, he was without Christ, foreign and outside of the spiritual kingdom of Israel, and therefore on account of his sins, he was in an entirely unholy state. Now, however, after he has been converted by thy wonderful goodness and united through the faith with Christ, he has drawn close.” (1902 Agenda p. 11)

The 1922 Agenda is missing the phrase italicized above.

Here we see why these particular ways of the Devil are listed: Any adult convert has been under the power of the Devil and therefore deceived by heretical beliefs up until the time of his conversion. This baptismal rite lists the most common forms of unbelief and blasphemy that ensnare people before their conversion and expects that they condemn their former unbelief and blasphemy publicly before their baptism.

This list of potential converts to Christianity (Jews, heathen, Unitarians, separatists, Anabaptists) were the most common types of non-Christians in America at that time who would have needed a baptism before joining a Lutheran church. Converts to the Lutheran church from other Christian churches with valid Trinitarian baptisms would not have to be baptized before joining.

Now that the context for this passage is clear, we would like to make a few points regarding the inclusion of “Jewish Unbelief and blasphemy” in this rite.

First: The beliefs and practices of Jews are contrary to the true faith in Christ, they are blasphemous, and these beliefs and practices are the work of the Devil.

Second: Jews are cut off from the true Israel unless they repent of their unbelief and turn to Christ their Savior. They are not part of Israel on account of their ancestry or by means of their blasphemous teachings and practices.

Third: Anyone who renounces the Devil, all his works, and all his ways renounces all the false beliefs and practices listed in this rite: Jewish, heathen, Unitarian, and separatist unbelief and blasphemy, the gross and dangerous Anabaptist errors and enthusiasm (and many others including Mormonism and Mohammedanism). If it was ever appropriate for any convert to renounce these things explicitly then all Christians renounce them implicitly.

Fourth: It would be wise to bring these specific condemnations of the Devil’s snares back to our baptism rite for adults. For the sake of the souls who join our churches we should not be shy in making sure that all our members have the strength to admit their former errors and renounce them publicly.

Fifth: Although it is doubtful that new Christians were given the option to renounce this whole list of heresies publicly, that would have been beneficial, and it would also be beneficial to begin that practice not only in baptismal rites but also in the confirmation of new members etc. Since we live in a time and place where so many religions of the Devil are tolerated and promoted, we shouldn’t hesitate to renounce the prominent ones by name. Should we be in fellowship with men who are hesitant to renounce Mormonism or Buddhism as the work of the Devil? If not, then we also shouldn’t be in fellowship with men who hesitate to renounce Judaism as the same.