Anabaptists and Moravians

Two early traditions of Protestantism left lasting marks on the development of Christian theology but have faded and are nearly forgotten today: Anabaptists and Moravians. Both groups were considered radical by other Protestants and Catholics and were severely persecuted by them.

This branch of Protestantism began in Switzerland in 1523, when Conrad Grebel(c. A.D. 1948–1526) Conrad Grebel was an Anabaptist Swiss merchant and politician who cofounded the Swiss Brethren movement, a precursor to the present-day Swiss Mennonite Conference. more and Felix Manz disagreed with ZwingliUlrich Zwingli (or Huldrych) (A.D. 1484–1531) Swiss pastor and theologian based in Zurich, a founding figure of the Reformed Protestant tradition, most famous for his low view of the Eucharist. more on a number of points to reform the church. They rejected infant baptismFrom a Greek word meaning “to immerse;” and is an initiatory ritual washing whereby one becomes a member of the Christian community. It involves various symbolic meanings including, cleansing, the death and resurrection of Christ, and a sinners death and... more based on two fundamental tenants of Zwingli’s reform movement: we are saved by faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more alone, and the Bible is the sole authority of the church. The word Anabaptist means “re-baptized” as they insisted that one’s baptismFrom a Greek word meaning “to immerse;” and is an initiatory ritual washing whereby one becomes a member of the Christian community. It involves various symbolic meanings including, cleansing, the death and resurrection of Christ, and a sinners death and... more as an infant was not valid so rational adults need to be baptized again as a sign of their faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more in ChristDerived from a Greek term meaning anointed and is equivalent to the word “messiah” from Hebrew roots. The anointing references the act of installing a new king similar to the modern custom of crowning a king, so the term “Christ”... more.

Grebel(c. A.D. 1948–1526) Conrad Grebel was an Anabaptist Swiss merchant and politician who cofounded the Swiss Brethren movement, a precursor to the present-day Swiss Mennonite Conference. more and Manz reasoned that if one is saved by faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more alone, then one needed to be old enough to have faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more. Like ZwingliUlrich Zwingli (or Huldrych) (A.D. 1484–1531) Swiss pastor and theologian based in Zurich, a founding figure of the Reformed Protestant tradition, most famous for his low view of the Eucharist. more, they rejected the sacramentality of the Catholic Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more and the concept that its sacraments were the means of instilling God’s graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more. Baptism did not regenerate an individual and save them from original sinThe doctrine developed by Augustine in the late 4th century that all human beings inherit the guilt of Adam’s sin and deserve damnation from birth. This is more than simply being born with a corrupt sinful nature that later leads... more. Faith did. Baptism was rather a symbol of one’s acceptance of Jesus(c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 30-33) Also known as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and Savior of the World. He is the founding figure of Christianity and accepted by Christians as the Son of God in the flesh. He taught... more and faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more in his death and resurrectionThe doctrine that Jesus’ spiritual essence was reunited with his physical body and that other humans will likewise live again with their spirit or soul reunited with their material body. This term does not refer to the doctrine of the... more. Consequently, it made no sense to baptize infants.

Grebel(c. A.D. 1948–1526) Conrad Grebel was an Anabaptist Swiss merchant and politician who cofounded the Swiss Brethren movement, a precursor to the present-day Swiss Mennonite Conference. more and Manz simply took Zwingli’s teaching that “no external thing can take away sinIs violation to God’s Law, and implicitly includes disobedience to God’s the command to love God and one’s neighbor. See mortal sin, original sin. more and make one holy” to its natural conclusion. ZwingliUlrich Zwingli (or Huldrych) (A.D. 1484–1531) Swiss pastor and theologian based in Zurich, a founding figure of the Reformed Protestant tradition, most famous for his low view of the Eucharist. more taught that none of the Catholic sacraments could make one holy. They were simply external signs incapable of instilling God’s graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more. God extends his graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more to those he elects by changing their hearts. Only an internal conversionThis term is derived from the Latin word for “turning,” and is a theological term that refers to one turning his will from evil to good and is generally used to denote one becoming a Christian and/or joining a particular... more was effective in making one holy. So the Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more saw no reason to baptize infants.

The Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more also believed that if the Bible is the sole authority of the Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more, then nothing should be part of the Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more that is not in the Bible. There is no record of children being baptized in the Bible, so infant baptismFrom a Greek word meaning “to immerse;” and is an initiatory ritual washing whereby one becomes a member of the Christian community. It involves various symbolic meanings including, cleansing, the death and resurrection of Christ, and a sinners death and... more should not exist in the true Christian church. Additionally, the baptisms mentioned in the Bible were by full immersion in running water. The humanistA scholar during the Renaissance movement who sought to recover a more historically accurate understanding of ancient languages and literature, including pagan classics, the Bible and the writings of the early church fathers. Some of the most notable Christian humanists... more movement searched the original meaning and proved that the very word baptismFrom a Greek word meaning “to immerse;” and is an initiatory ritual washing whereby one becomes a member of the Christian community. It involves various symbolic meanings including, cleansing, the death and resurrection of Christ, and a sinners death and... more meant to immerse, not to pour or sprinkle. Consequently, only a baptismFrom a Greek word meaning “to immerse;” and is an initiatory ritual washing whereby one becomes a member of the Christian community. It involves various symbolic meanings including, cleansing, the death and resurrection of Christ, and a sinners death and... more by full immersion of rational adults who had made a confessionthis word has several theological uses. 1) It refers to the act of confessing one’s sins, and particularly the confession of sins to a priest in the sacrament of Penance, that is often called “Confession;” 2) reciting a creed or... more of faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more in ChristDerived from a Greek term meaning anointed and is equivalent to the word “messiah” from Hebrew roots. The anointing references the act of installing a new king similar to the modern custom of crowning a king, so the term “Christ”... more was valid. Everyone else who was baptized by another method was not actually a Christian!

This radical concept not only offended devout Catholics and Reformed Christians, but it was also viewed as sedition by the civil authorities. Baptism was not only the initiation rite to become a Christian, but it was also the rite to become a citizen in Christendom. This is why Jews were not considered citizens. So when Grebel(c. A.D. 1948–1526) Conrad Grebel was an Anabaptist Swiss merchant and politician who cofounded the Swiss Brethren movement, a precursor to the present-day Swiss Mennonite Conference. more and Manz and their followers rejected infant baptismFrom a Greek word meaning “to immerse;” and is an initiatory ritual washing whereby one becomes a member of the Christian community. It involves various symbolic meanings including, cleansing, the death and resurrection of Christ, and a sinners death and... more, they were not just rejecting the church; they were rejecting the civil authority of the land.

This view was amplified by their belief that the original apostolic Christian Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more fell into apostasy when Emperor ConstantineConstantine I (c. A.D. 272–337) was a Western Roman Emperor who, after a series of civil wars, became emperor of the entire Roman Empire. He strengthened the Empire through reforms and led successful military campaigns on the frontiers. He famously... more made it the imperial church and it became materialistic. Consequently, the Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more took the radical position of separation of church and state to the point that true believers needed to completely separate themselves from the sinful, materialistic state. They were pacifists and refused to serve in the military. They even refused to hold any government position or pay taxes. They often retreated to isolated locations to avoid interaction with the sinful “world” and escape persecution.

Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more also sought to emulate the worship service of the early apostolic church, so they rejected the ceremonialism of the liturgy more and the hierarchical priesthood of the Catholic Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more. They stressed the need for an inward spirituality and meaningful personal faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more. They had no tolerance for sinIs violation to God’s Law, and implicitly includes disobedience to God’s the command to love God and one’s neighbor. See mortal sin, original sin. more within the Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more and expelled or shunned those who did not obey their rules or expressed disagreement with the theology of its leaders, leading to frequent schisms and groups splitting off and starting their own true Christian congregation.

Grebel(c. A.D. 1948–1526) Conrad Grebel was an Anabaptist Swiss merchant and politician who cofounded the Swiss Brethren movement, a precursor to the present-day Swiss Mennonite Conference. more and Manz were not satisfied with Zwingli’s approach of a slow transition from Catholicism to a Reformed Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more. They wanted immediate radical change. In 1525, the Zurich city council held a debate between the Anabaptist leaders and ZwingliUlrich Zwingli (or Huldrych) (A.D. 1484–1531) Swiss pastor and theologian based in Zurich, a founding figure of the Reformed Protestant tradition, most famous for his low view of the Eucharist. more, and when it sided with ZwingliUlrich Zwingli (or Huldrych) (A.D. 1484–1531) Swiss pastor and theologian based in Zurich, a founding figure of the Reformed Protestant tradition, most famous for his low view of the Eucharist. more, the city council condemned the Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more as heretics worthy of death. Grebel(c. A.D. 1948–1526) Conrad Grebel was an Anabaptist Swiss merchant and politician who cofounded the Swiss Brethren movement, a precursor to the present-day Swiss Mennonite Conference. more immediately baptized several followers as an act of defiance. The Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more started to leave Zurich and spread their message throughout Europe, sparking similar oppression. The Holy Roman Emperor, King Ferdinand, declared drowning was “the best antidote to Anabaptism” and sarcastically called it their third baptismFrom a Greek word meaning “to immerse;” and is an initiatory ritual washing whereby one becomes a member of the Christian community. It involves various symbolic meanings including, cleansing, the death and resurrection of Christ, and a sinners death and... more.

In 1527, after Grebel(c. A.D. 1948–1526) Conrad Grebel was an Anabaptist Swiss merchant and politician who cofounded the Swiss Brethren movement, a precursor to the present-day Swiss Mennonite Conference. more had died and Manz was executed, Michael Sattler wrote the Schleitheim Articles(A.D. 1527) Michael Sattler publishes the most important confessional document of the early Anabaptists, the Schleitheim Articles that articulate the separatist pacifism of the Swiss Brethren. Also known as Schleitheim Confession. more laying out the Anabaptists’ position of complete separation from abomination (the rest of society) and acknowledged that persecution and suffering would be natural consequences of their faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more. They believed that persecution was a sign of the true Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more of God since the fallen world would always oppose God’s electcomes from the Latin word “to choose” and is used to identify those chosen by God. In the Old Testament, the twelve tribes of Israel are the elect people of God; in many Protestant traditions the elect refers to those... more until his return. The theology of suffering and the doctrineis derived from the Latin word for teaching, doctrina, and is an important aspect of Christianity more so than other world religions because Christianity focuses on the teachings and nature of Christ. more of nonviolence and loving one’s enemies have become core Anabaptist beliefs, particularly after a horrific deviation from this fundamental belief by a small spinoff group in Munster.

Anabaptism got a foothold in the Netherlands, where one apocalyptic spinoff group gained control of the northern German town of Munster in 1534. Their leader became a tyrant, expelled the local bishopA person holding the ecclesiastical office that exerciseds authority over the laity and priests in a geographical area called a “diocese” where the bishop’s “see,” or seat, is located, which is referred to as his bishopric. Also see episcopate. more, and ordered everyone to convert or face death. After the mass evacuation of many of the men, he instituted forced polygamy and made many other shocking dictates. The bishopA person holding the ecclesiastical office that exerciseds authority over the laity and priests in a geographical area called a “diocese” where the bishop’s “see,” or seat, is located, which is referred to as his bishopric. Also see episcopate. more returned with an army, recaptured the town and executed the Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more. This deviant Anabaptist undertaking shocked Europe, galvanizing its opposition to all forms of Anabaptism.

The Anabaptist community began to splinter until Meno Simmons came on the scene. He was a natural leader who put his faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more above his personal welfare. They made him an elder and their de facto leader. He was able to consolidate many of the factions and his traditionThis word comes from a Latin term meaning “to hand down,” that originally referred to the teaching of the apostles as handed down in the churches they founded, which led to these churches gaining authority of other locations due to... more became known by his name: the MennonitesIs the branch of Anabaptism begun by Menno Simons (1496–1561) as a pacifist reaction to the violent Anabaptist revolt in the Dutch city of Münster. Mennonites and the Amish offshoot is the primary form of Anabaptism that has survived until... more. Later, a group split off from the MennonitesIs the branch of Anabaptism begun by Menno Simons (1496–1561) as a pacifist reaction to the violent Anabaptist revolt in the Dutch city of Münster. Mennonites and the Amish offshoot is the primary form of Anabaptism that has survived until... more over a dispute regarding the nature and extent of separation from the world. They became known as the AmishA branch of Anabaptist that broke off from the Mennonites in the 16th Century. (See Anabaptists.) more.

Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more did not get caught up in the nuanced theology found in most other Christian denominations. They were more concerned with good living. This is reflected in the Mennonite Dordrecht ConfessionThe Dordrecht Confession of Faith was adopted April 21, 1632, by a Dutch Mennonite conference held at Dordrecht, Holland. more from the seventeenth century, which states in part: “The Law of ChristDerived from a Greek term meaning anointed and is equivalent to the word “messiah” from Hebrew roots. The anointing references the act of installing a new king similar to the modern custom of crowning a king, so the term “Christ”... more is the Holy GospelEnglish translation of the Greek term evangelion, used in the New Testament meaning “good news.” This is a central term in Luther’s theology that emphasized the contrast between Law and Gospel. The Law condemn while the Gospel justifies believers through... more or New Testament. … [All men] if they are obedient through faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more, and follow, fulfill and live according to the precepts of the faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more, are His children and rightful heirs.”1

The Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more are distinct from the BaptistThe first English Baptist congregation is created (A.D. 1609) out of a Puritan Separatist congregation that is meeting in exile in the Netherlands. This tradition grew out of the English Puritan Separatist movement in the 17th century and later spread... more traditionThis word comes from a Latin term meaning “to hand down,” that originally referred to the teaching of the apostles as handed down in the churches they founded, which led to these churches gaining authority of other locations due to... more, which began a century later, but the Baptists and other ProtestantContrary to popular belief, the term does not refer to protest against the Roman Catholic Church. The term original refers to a formal protest lodged by Lutheran princes against an unfavorable decision made by the imperial Diet of Speyer in... more traditions owe their practice of adult baptismFrom a Greek word meaning “to immerse;” and is an initiatory ritual washing whereby one becomes a member of the Christian community. It involves various symbolic meanings including, cleansing, the death and resurrection of Christ, and a sinners death and... more by immersion to the Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more. The Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must make a informed voluntary commitment as part of a baptismal covenant in order for the baptism to... more example also contributed to the Baptists’ independent attitude and strong belief in separation of church and state.

In the ninth century, Eastern Orthodox missionaries brought Christianity to the ancient Bohemia and Moravia area (present-day Czech Republic). Over several centuries and with some stubborn resistance, the Roman Catholic Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more gradually gained ecclesiasticalFrom the Greek word ecclesia, meaning church or congregation and is used to refer to both separate Christian congregations and to the whole body of Christians. more control of the region. However, the populace maintained an independent streak which blossomed under JohnJohn (c. A.D. 6–100) was a Jewish fisherman, chosen by Jesus to be one of his 12 Apostles, and appears to have developed an especially close bond with Jesus. John outlived the other Apostles and heavily influenced early Christian thinkers... more Hus’s reformation efforts and exploded into revolt upon his execution in Rome for heresyComes from a Greek term meaning “sect,” and was used by the early Church theologians to identify doctrines that they rejected as not orthodox. The term does not refer to unbelief but ideas held by some baptized Christian that was... more in 1415. The Hussite Wars(1415–1436) In the ninth century, Eastern Orthodox missionaries brought Christianity to the ancient Bohemia and Moravia area (present-day Czech Republic). Over several centuries and with some stubborn resistance, the Roman Catholic Church gradually gained ecclesiastical control of the region. However,... more ended in 1436 with the Basel Compacts(1436) A new council was convened in the city of Constance to address the papal schism, among other issues. Once the Council of Constance had assembled, they requested that Jan Hus attend to present his views regarding the papal schism... more, which allowed Bohemia to continue its Hussite version of Christianity.

Shortly thereafter, the Unity of Brethren was officially organized in 1457. This was sixty years before Martin LutherMartin Luther (A.D. 1483–1546) German theologian, pastor, professor at the University of Wittenberg, ex-monk, and founding figure of Protestantism. He was known for his doctrine of justification by faith alone and his insistence on distinguishing between Law and Gospel. more sparked the Protestant Reformation(A.D. 1517) The Protestant Reformation begins as Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses, largely in response to the widespread abuses caused by the aggressive commercialization of indulgences. more in Germany. LutherMartin Luther (A.D. 1483–1546) German theologian, pastor, professor at the University of Wittenberg, ex-monk, and founding figure of Protestantism. He was known for his doctrine of justification by faith alone and his insistence on distinguishing between Law and Gospel. more even referred to himself as a Hussite.

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