Anabaptism

You have likely heard about the Amish; you might even have heard about the Mennonites, Brethren, and Hutterites. But did you know these orders are splinter groups of the Anabaptists? This 16^th-century religious order originated during the Radical Reformation. While the Catholics persecuted the Protestants and vice versa, both groups persecuted the Anabaptists.

But why were the Anabaptists so relentlessly persecuted? What were their beliefs? How did their views contradict the accepted views of the time? Let's discuss the fundamental ideas, origins, and persecution of the Anabaptist movement, and examine their history and role in modern-day society.

Anabaptist Definition

Meaning 'one who baptises again', Anabaptism is a Christian movement whose origins trace back to the Radical Reformation. Founded by Felix Manz and Conrad Grebel, Anabaptists believe in adult baptism, literal adherence to scripture, and opposing violence; the beliefs of Anabaptism were transcribed at the Schleitheim Confession in 1527.

Persecuted by Catholics and Protestants alike, the Anabaptists enjoyed some popularity in Germany and the Low regions throughout the early- to mid-16^th century. Their political significance culminated in their seizure of Munster in 1535. Over the following centuries, Anabaptism continued to splinter into various sects, with modern-day groups including the Mennonites, the Amish, and the Hutterites.

Anabaptist Overview

Here is a brief overview outlining the Anabaptist movement.

• Name: Anabaptist
• Founded: 1523
• Key Figures: Feliz Manz and Conrad Grebel (Founders)
• Key Beliefs:
  • Delaying baptism until the person is old enough to confess their faith.
  • Following Scripture literally and at all costs.
  • Opposing Violence.
  • Emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount, New Testament, and Jesus' life and teachings.

Anabaptism Origin

The Anabaptist movement began in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1525. The 1520s were a critical decade in the Protestant Reformation – the German Reformation was in full swing after the Diet of Worms, and Ulrich Zwingli was preaching the Reformed Faith in Switzerland.

While Zwingli initiated the Swiss Reformation and inspired Anabaptism, he was no friend of the Anabaptist movement. Zwingli believed that the Anabaptists were too radical and threatened his Reformed Faith movement. In fact, Zwingli was relieved when widespread persecution forced the Anabaptists to leave Zurich in 1527.

The origins of the Anabaptist movement lie primarily with the work of Felix Manz and Conrad Grebel. These men have become known as the fathers of the Anabaptist movement.

Founders of Anabaptism

Below is a table outlining the key figures that influenced Anabaptism.

Unfortunately, the three men had a falling out over infant baptism. Zwingli supported infant baptism, whereas Manz and Grebel defended adult baptism. The city council of Zurich sided with Zwingli, ordering Manz and Grebel to renounce their views or face arrest.

Fig. 1 - Ulrich Zwingli

Manz and Grebel refused to renounce their views. Such defiance garnered much attention, with a crowd of supporters gathering at Manz's home on 17 January 1525. Among the group of supporters was a young Catholic priest called Georg Blaurock. Blaurock asked Grebel to baptise him; Grebel obliged, and Blaurock, alongside many other supporters, was baptised as an adult. With that, the Anabaptist movement was born.

Anabaptists hold a literal interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount, viewing it as a set of rules and laws to follow in everyday life.

While Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther believed the Sermon on the Mount was impossible to obey, Anabaptists viewed the Sermon as the prescriptive framework for day-to-day life. Anabaptists believed the lessons and teachings at the Sermons on the Mount should be taken literally and pursued at all costs.

Anabaptists believed that during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus introduced new teachings and rules to replace the Mosaic Laws.

Fig. 2 - Moses and the Ten Commandments

Anabaptists believed this because each of Jesus' statements in the Sermon on the Mount began with either:

After this statement, Jesus discussed a Mosaic Law before stating:

Consequently, Anabaptists believed that Jesus introduced new laws and ethical rules that replaced Mosaic Law.

Fig. 3 - The Sermon on the Mount

Adhering to a literal interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount, Anabaptists don't believe in violence, hate, murder, oath-taking, military action, or government participation. Anabaptists see themselves as citizens of God rather than of earthly governments. Placing increased emphasis on the life of Jesus, Anabaptists seek to model their lives around his.

Core Beliefs of Anabaptism

Development of Anabaptism

Now that we know Anabaptism's origins, let's look at how the new faith developed during the Protestant Reformation.

Schleitheim Confession

In 1527, at a time of intense persecution, a small group of Anabaptists met in the town of Schleitheim, Switzerland. During the meeting, a list of principles was drawn up, outlining the values and rules of the Anabaptist faith. Authored by former Catholic abbot Michael Sattler, the doctrine has come to be known as the Schleitheim Confession.

Fig. 4 - Schleitheim Confession

Let's look at an overview of the seven principles of the Schleitheim Confession.

• Baptism: Baptism for those who consciously repent.
• Excommunication: Those who fail three times to live a righteous life should be excommunicated.
• Communion: Only baptised members can participate in communion.
• Separation from Evil: There can be no participation in organisations that contradict the teachings of Christ.
• Pastors: Church elders must be good men and will be disciplined if they sin.
• Pacifism: Violence must not be used.
• Oaths: Oaths are prohibited.

Expansion of Anabaptism

By 1527, Ulrich Zwingli had shut down the first Anabaptist church in Zollikon, sentenced Felix Manz to death by drowning, and expelled Georg Blaurock from the city. Despite the persecutory efforts of Zwingli, Anabaptism continued to spread. This was primarily down to the work of Blaurock, who preached the Anabaptist message wherever he went.

Fig. 5 - Spread of the early Anabaptists in Central Europe: Purple = Dutch Mennonites, | Blue = German Anabaptists | Green = Swiss Brethren | Orange = Moravian Anabaptists, Wikipedia

Let's look at the spread of Anabaptism through different regions in Europe.

Persecution of Anabaptists

Both Catholics and Protestants persecuted the Anabaptists. Here is an excerpt from Lutheran Philip Melanchthon calling for the execution of Anabaptist Heinz Kraut in 1536:

Fig. 6 - Whipping of an Anabaptist

Anabaptists and Baptists

Here is a brief table outlining the key similarities and differences between the Anabaptists and Baptists.

Anabaptism Today

The Anabaptists occupied a unique space in the sphere of the Reformation, utilising Protestant calls for church reform and the peasant movement's desire for social reform. While their contribution to the Reformation is often deemed "radical" and "extremist", it's more accurate to view it as simply a "different approach" to restoring scriptural importance to Christianity.

Such an approach was more brave, direct, and consistent than other Reformist movements, with the movement unafraid to break societal and cultural ties. Historian Hans J. Hillerbrand writes:

After the Munster Rebellion, the Anabaptists' influence – as a political force, at the very least – began to decline. Throughout the following centuries, the movement began to splinter into different sects. These included:

Mennonites: Founded by Menno Simons in the 16^th century.

Amish: Founded by Jacob Amman in the 17^th century.

German Baptist Brethren: Founded by Alexander Mack in the 18^th century.

Plymouth Brethren: Founded by J.N. Darby in the 19^th century.

Fig. 7 - Amish children playing ball

While the Anabaptists' impact on the Reformation is considerable, their influence on modern Christianity is even more significant. Today adult baptism is a common practice and a regular occurrence in many Christian movements. Similarly, religion as a non-violent movement and the predominance of scripture are standard practices among every Christian denomination. While Anabaptism is synonymous with the Radical Reformation, today, the key tenets of their religion are less "radical" and more "rational".