I Became an Anglican Priest. Here’s Why I Left. — David Bercot — Ep. 209

David Bercot explains why he was an Anglican priest, why apostolic succession was initially convincing, and how he ultimately left and joined the Anabaptists. What is it about the High Church traditions that are appealing? How does this fit with the teachings of the Ante-Nicene fathers, and are the Anabaptists correct in their interpretation of the early church writings?

Scroll Publishing

Bercot’s series on infant baptism

Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs

Bercot's Episode: I Was Once A Jehovah's Witness

This is the 209th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought.

The views expressed by our guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Anabaptist Perspectives or Wellspring Mennonite Church.

[ronedwards]

I became a member of an Anabaptist church in January. I pulled out the book “Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up” given to me by years ago. After I started attending last year. So thankful to be where God has led me.

[honestyetrespectfuldialogue]

I appreciate all your work, Reagan. Thanks for this episode with David Bercot! I think it would be interesting if you'd do an interview with one of those who has left Anabaptism to join another church whether Catholic or evangelical, to give another perspective.

[karldo]

I also visited several churches but never felt at home. My background is Pentecostalism with Scandinavian Baptist roots which originates from Radical Pietism. I was amazed to know after reading about Radical Pietism that I have some theological affinities with Anabaptists. I will take the time to visit an Anabaptist Church in the future to check whether I will be at home. By the way, I love the podcast. I will listen to more episode.

[Thoreseus_]

I feel like I'm retracing some of David's steps myself. I'm trying to find my church fit as well, but it gets tough when you have come to certain convictions that would keep you disfellowshipped from the churches available nearby. We're in that stage of doing church at home as a family, but hoping we can be part of a fellowship at some point.

[byrondueck]

To Mr Bercot: “What are the 2 doctrines that we as Anabaptists differ from the early church on?”

To the host: “It would have been good to explain the controversy regarding’Common Sense’ the first time it was brought up. I am unfamiliar with it so it felt like you had an inside joke and I was lost.”

Very informative video. Thanks.

[MD-effl]

Fascinating interview. Glad to learn more about Bercot. I'm wondering what are the few doctrines that Bercot believes the early church held to that contemporary Anabaptists don't get right?

I read his Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs in grad school and benefited from the plentous quotes on 1 Cor 11:2-16.

But I found his scathing critique of theologians in Will the Theologians Please Sit Down overdone and factually mistaken, especially the way he inconsistently uses the words 'theology' and 'theologian' throughout the volume to try to fit with his illogical thesis, key terms given the subject matter of the book.

The fact is that Bercot himself is a theologian, and thus he never should have published a single book since that's the type of work that theologians do.

Since that time I haven't read anything else he has written. This interview helped me remember that he's (to quote a famous contemporary Anabaptist saying) "only human, " and has many good points even though he comes across as a radical apologist that has moved away from the research-based approach that made his Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs great.

[w]

David's church isn't your typical Anabaptist church;they believe you're born again in the waters of baptism which is the historic faith. John 3:5, Col.2:11 and 12 and Acts 2:38 are all describing that event in a different way...

[Zob]

Notes for self:
• There were gnostic writers who claimed to be direct disciples of the apostles? Find source
• Emergency baptisms were the first baptisms? Find source

[dannymoses]

Dear Dr David. I am glad for your lectures, and for the fact that you wanted to get as close as possible to the early church in searching for a church. Just want to know what you think of gifts of the Spirit (as in 1 Cor 12 etc ) have they ceased (as in cessationalism taught by some) with no contemporary relevance?

[heberfrank]

The Apostle's Creed we have today comes from the 5th century, with a form of it in the 4th century. According to online articles. Was there a version of it in the first and second century?

[Sonny_Contreras]

Please help me get ahold of brother David Bercot.

[undergroundpublishing]

Could anyone here help me to contact Mr. Bercot? I am hoping to send him a book I just wrote to review.

[Meister]

Thanks for sharing, always appreciate Bercots insight in the historical faith 🙏🏻

[Anabaptista-ESTEBAN]

Any missionary work in México, i wish i could join an anabaptista church please help i stay in Veracruz México, i have a wife and 3 kids

[demcdoug]

The helpful thing about David's research for me ...and I was open to finding otherwise, is that the churches of Christ were very nearly lock step with the early Christians on every topic that passed his criteria.

What I found somewhat disappointing (reading Heretics) was that David acknowledged the churches of Christ as more of an anomaly. We focus on sound doctrine, and still tend to produce the faithful life as individual Christians ...and that seemed curious to David.

But Paul gave Timothy the remedy for the coming apostasy(ies), which was to give himself to the preaching of the apostolic doctrine. He stressed similar urgency in Gal 1 and 2 Thes 2.

It seems that when the seed planted and taking firm root is the Word of God, the crop is faithful Christians. Denominational division is certainly not a fruit of the Gospel.

[natalijaasbjornsen]

I became an Anabapst and eventually joined Amidh Mennonnite ( Beachy) church because i was led to the book of Bercot ( in God we do not trust)

[tadhg]

From where did you receive the apostles creed and your canon of scripture? And do you believe that the church had an identity crisis until the 16th century over its ecclesiology and core dogmas like the true presence of the Eucharist? (even the early reformers like Luther held to that perennial belief of the church).

Also, can you cite where Tertullian writes that Mary has sinned?

There are a lot of misleading claims here… I would encourage people to go to early church sources for themselves..

[ketogenic_ron]

Unfortunately its a shame that we put so much emphasis on denominations than on Christ, this creates so much division amongst the body of Christ the Church, now its caused so much confusion and doubt of what to believe, my advice to people is read the Bible without the influence of any group or denomination, remembering its the gospel that saves not a certain denomination or Church. God bless

[DaleH]

I have to honestly ask whether anyone who read all of the writings of Christians in the first three centuries with a totally blank slate, no church background but just with great faith in Jesus and wanting to follow the example of the Church that He established, would think and practice and pray and relate to a lost world just like an Anabaptist does. I don't believe so. There are many ways that the great majority of Anabaptists are at fundamental odds with the earliest Christian doctrines and practices. Many other churches are further away in different respects, I don't doubt, such as modest appearance or nonresistance, but there is no church in existence today that represents the same theology, values, and lifestyle as the whole of the early Christians. So I have no choice but to disagree right from the opening. If you choose old Anglican or Orthodox or old Anabaptist, etc., you're just choosing which set of departures from the ancient Faith that you prefer or are willing to tolerate. Either God is going to save a remnant from among the nations or, as Jesus Himself questioned, the ancient Faith will no longer be found when He returns.

[mores]

Im sorry, but this man seems very judgemental about other churches. After boasting about his humility. Very abrasive.