amish cheatsheet

AMISH BELIEFS OVERVIEW (MSBC EQUIP+)

A simple, biblical guide to help you understand Amish beliefs and lovingly share the Gospel.

WHO ARE THE AMISH?

The Amish are an Anabaptist group known for simple living, farming, horse-and-buggy travel, plain clothing, and a strong emphasis on community, humility, and separation from the world.
Many Amish are sincere, moral, and disciplined people — but several of their core beliefs do not align with Scripture, especially regarding salvation, assurance, and authority.

This tool explains the major differences and gives practical witnessing tips.

🟥 1. AUTHORITY (Scripture vs. Tradition)

What the Amish teach:

The Ordnung (church rules) and community tradition hold authoritative weight alongside Scripture.
Obedience to Ordnung = obedience to God.

What the Bible teaches:

God’s Word alone is the final authority.
Man-made rules cannot bind the conscience or add righteousness.

Key verses:

  • 2 Timothy 3:16–17

  • Matthew 15:3–9

  • Acts 5:29

Conversation tip:

Gently ask, “What does God’s Word say — even if tradition says something different?”

🟧 2. SALVATION

What the Amish teach:

Salvation is rarely spoken of as a present gift.
Many Amish believe:

  • You hope to be saved

  • You work toward salvation

  • You must remain humble, obedient, and faithful

  • Assurance is seen as pride, not faith

Salvation becomes a lifetime process, not a finished work of Christ.

What the Bible teaches:

Salvation is a free gift, received by grace through faith, not by works, and believers can have assurance.

Key verses:

  • Ephesians 2:8–9

  • John 5:24

  • 1 John 5:11–13

  • Titus 3:5

Conversation tip:

Ask, “If salvation is a gift, how would we earn it? What does this verse say is already finished?”

🟨 3. ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

What the Amish teach:

Assurance is discouraged and often labeled as pride.
They may say, “We won’t know until we die.”

What the Bible teaches:

Assurance is normal and expected for believers because it is based on Christ’s finished work — not our works.

Key verses:

  • 1 John 5:13

  • John 10:28–29

  • Romans 8:16

Conversation tip:

Show verses that say “know” and “have,” emphasizing certainty, not guesswork.

🟩 4. SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

What the Amish teach:

Strict separation protects from sin.
Community rules about:

  • Technology

  • Electricity

  • Clothing

  • Transportation

  • Education

These rules are seen as essential expressions of faith.

What the Bible teaches:

God calls believers to holiness — but holiness comes from heart transformation, not external rules.

Key verses:

  • John 17:15–17

  • Romans 12:1–2

  • 1 Samuel 16:7

Conversation tip:

Focus on the heart: “If the heart is changed, what does that produce?”

🟦 5. CONFESSION & CHURCH DISCIPLINE

What the Amish teach:

Confession is made to church leaders, and “Meidung” (shunning) is used to maintain purity.
Fear of discipline often replaces assurance of grace.

What the Bible teaches:

Church discipline is redemptive, not punitive, and reconciliation is always the goal.

Key verses:

  • Matthew 18:15–17

  • Galatians 6:1

Conversation tip:

Point to Jesus restoring the broken, not socially isolating them.

🟪 6. THE GOSPEL MESSAGE (Key Differences)

Amish teaching often emphasizes:

  • Obedience

  • Humility

  • Submission

  • Community unity

  • Avoiding pride

These are good values — but they cannot save a person.

The Gospel emphasizes:

  • Jesus’ perfect life

  • His substitutionary death

  • His resurrection

  • Salvation by faith alone

  • The Holy Spirit’s indwelling power

They may follow Jesus as an example, but not always trust Him as Savior.

🟫 7. HOW TO WITNESS TO AMISH FRIENDS

🔹 1. Be gentle and respectful

Amish culture values humility.
Avoid confrontation — open the Bible together.

🔹 2. Use Scripture, not arguments

The Bible carries far more weight than personal opinion.

🔹 3. Emphasize relationship with Christ

Not rules.
Not church membership.
Not community.

🔹 4. Focus on salvation as a gift

Ask questions like:

  • “What does this verse say we must do to be saved?”

  • “When Jesus saves someone, does the Bible ever say ‘you must wait until the end to know’?”

🔹 5. Share assurance verses

Assurance is foreign to Amish culture.
Verses about certainty stand out strongly.

🔹 6. Ask about the finished work of Christ

“What did Jesus mean when He said, It is finished?”

🔹 7. Pray for opportunities

Conversations may be slow — but seeds planted faithfully can grow over time.