English Summary

The name was given to us because unlike the State churches we do not baptise small children, only adults who have personally made a decision to believe in Jesus Christ and therefore want to be baptised. We consider this belief to be one’s own decision and responsibility. The Bible plays the leading role in our belief and life, not only for the individual but also for the life and growth of the parish. Baptists want to follow the New Testament That is the aim which is forever ahead of us and therefore we see ourselves joined with all similar thinking people.

Baptist Communities in Switzerland
There have been Baptists since 1847 in the German speaking part of Switzerland. Today there are parishes in Basel, Biel, Bülach, Court, Genf, Lausanne, Lugano, Malleray, Moutier, Neuchâtel, Payerne, Rüschlikon, St.Gallen, Schaffhausen, Thalwil, Tramelan, Wettingen and Zurich. These parishes have been in the Association of Baptist Communities since 1924 with about 1400 members.

Our central themes
We see each community as a part of the worldwide community who acknowledge Jesus Christ. We believe the community to be a place where the Gospel is preached and discipleship is lived in a forthcoming manner. We experience the community asa a place where differnt members understand and carry each other and depending on their talents contribute to a joint sense of community. We consider the community to be a challenge where we can convincingly live and pass on the liberating Gospel to the people of today. We seek contact and co-operation with others. We are a free church, independent from the State. Baptists are responsible for themselves and not under a hierarchy. Therefore they have their own profile and character.

Our concerns
Our main concern is that our life and that of the community follows the scripture and acknowledges Jesus Christ, not only personally but also to others, so that belief, new life and groups of believers originate. Through that a renewing craft comes into the world. We see ourselves under Christ’s commandment «You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Those who believe and are baptised will be saved.» (Mark 16,15) Our aim is to live by this most importent and best Commandment and to inform others of it.