A) WHAT THEY BELIEVE

 

They call themselves, “The Plain People.”  In other words, “Not to be extravagant.”  The term, “The English,” is used in reference to all non-believing Amish people, and as such, Americans that are not Amish are labeled or called, “The English.”

 

Their entire religion is based upon Second Timothy 3:14:  “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” the point being, that they are not ever to depart from how they are brought up (raised).  Therefore, you can attempt to teach them anything truthful, based upon God’s Word (which they don’t know very well; most have never even heard the verse, John 3:16), and they might think about it for a second or two, but then they will revert right back to Second Timothy 3:14 and state that they are not to depart from how they were raised.

 

Furthermore, they will teach you that you should not depart from how you were raised if you want to go to Heaven (meaning they believe you can go to Heaven, just leave them alone to go to their Heaven).  An example would be, it is not acceptable to eat a horse, because he does not have a “cloven hoof.”  But it is acceptable to eat pork, because of Paul’s instruction in Second Timothy 3:14; regardless of the instructions of unclean meats as listed in Leviticus, Chapter Eleven, and Deuteronomy, the Fourteenth Chapter.

 

Therefore, the Amish do not believe in evangelism, since if you obey how you were raised, you will go to Heaven (like Muslims who were raised to kill all non-Muslims).  Common sense is not an option.

 

If you sin, you must confess it to one of the deacons, who in turn takes it to all the church members, and they decide if you will be forgiven or not.  How they determine what is sin is based mostly upon the community rules and not necessarily the Biblical understanding of sin; which is the “transgression of God’s Law,” First John 3:4.

 

If you leave the Amish belief’s, you must be “Shunned” (no contact in any way), by not only your family, but the entire Amish community.  In truth, this “Shunning” is designed to bring the guilty party back into fellowship with the Amish community body.  To a certain extent it works.  After all, where are they going to go?  When you have been raised in a closed society it is all you know.

 

If you leave their religion, you will go to hell and be tortured for all eternity; meaning also that they teach an eternally burning hell fire (see my Bible Study:  “DEATH, THE BIBLICAL TRUTH ABOUT”).

 

They believe in the “Rapture Theory” (pre-tribulation).  See my Bible Study:  “RAPTURE THEORY, THE.”  It’s a lie.

 

They do not teach why Jesus died; nor do they know why Jesus died.  They do not learn much truth from the Bible and they use the Martin Luther German (only) version Bible in church.  They must only speak German in church (English is allowed once out of church).  All knowledge of spiritual (Biblical) teachings are learned from the elders during church service.

 

Only men can be elders, deacons, etcetera, in church.  Not that women do not have an opinion; but it must be expressed in the home, not at church.

 

The Amish actually teach that if you read the Bible to much you will fall away from God.  In other words, what their bishop says is more important (following man).  The fact is, they are taught to only read the Bible in church or every other Sunday.

 

They worship on Sunday because they want to be “Politically Correct;” identifying with the majority of Christianity.  Remember, they do not study the Word of God to find out even why they might be keeping Sunday as God’s Day of rest.  See my Bible Study:  “SABBATH, STILL VALID TODAY.”

 

 

B) HOW TO REACH THEM

 

 

Through literature.  Most people believe that the Amish will not read conflicting literature.  And they would be correct.  However, the younger generation is open and willing to investigate; without their parent’s knowledge.  Be discrete and best wishes.

 

Start with a question such as, “Should we be keeping the commandments of men or the Commandments of God?”  If they answer, “Men,” you may have some difficulty.  You could then ask, “Then man saves you from your sins and not God?” and go from there.  However, they should answer, “God.”  Then you can ask, “Then why do you keep the commandments of men?” and go from there.  Provided they haven’t walked away yet.

 

The Amish are very concerned about the “Mark of the Beast,” teaching all kinds of different possibilities; all to the purpose of being very cautious around “The English,” who will be giving the “Mark of the Beast” to them and to all of humanity.  This might be your inroad if you wish to witness to them, i.e., teaching them the truth about the “Mark of the Beast.”  But remember, you must first befriend them and gain a little trust before you can discuss the “Mark of the Beast,” or any other subject.  See my Bible Study:  “MARK OF THE BEAST, THE,” or my Bible Commentary on Revelation 13:16.