Anabaptism

Some people follow a way of faith called Anabaptism.

They began in the 1500s. They believe people should choose to be baptized.

This is different from baptizing babies. They think only adults can make this choice. Many groups today follow these old ways.

The Amish are one such group. They try to live like Jesus did. They value peace and sharing with others.

Anabaptism is a Christian movement. It began in the 1500s during the Radical Reformation.

Many people call this group "Baptizers." The name "Anabaptist" was used by others. It means "one who baptizes again." This was because they baptized adults who were already baptized as babies.

Anabaptists believe in "believer's baptism." They think baptism is only for people who choose it. They believe babies cannot make this choice. In 1527, they wrote the Schleitheim Confession. This was a paper that listed their main beliefs.

These followers try to live like Jesus. They value peace and do not use violence. They often do not join the military. They also believe in sharing what they own.

Many groups come from this old movement. The Amish, Mennonites, and Hutterites are direct descendants. Other groups like the Brethren also follow these ways. Some groups stay very traditional. Others use new tools like modern technology.

Anabaptism is a Christian movement with deep roots. It began during the Radical Reformation in the 1500s.

Many people call these followers "Baptizers." The name "Anabaptist" was actually given to them by others. It means "one who baptizes again." This was because they baptized adults who had already been baptized as infants. In some places, like Germany, this name is now seen as unfair. Today, many people prefer the more neutral term "Baptizers."

This movement is built on the idea of "believer's baptism." Anabaptists believe baptism is only valid when a person chooses it. They think a person must freely confess their faith in Christ. Because infants cannot make this choice, Anabaptists believe infant baptism is not valid. They see baptism as a way to follow the order found in the New Testament. This involves repenting and turning away from sin first.

History shows that these early believers faced many hard times. They were often persecuted by state churches and local governments. This happened because their ideas were different from official views. In 1527, they wrote the Schleitheim Confession to list their core beliefs. A man named Michael Sattler helped write this document. Sadly, he was arrested and executed shortly after.

Anabaptists try to live their lives very much like Jesus. They follow the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew. This teaching tells them to avoid hate and violence. They often practice non-violence and do not join the military. They also believe in sharing possessions and being humble. Some groups practice special things like washing feet or the "holy kiss." They view themselves as citizens of God's kingdom rather than earthly nations.

Many different groups today come from this old movement. The Amish, Hutterites, and Mennonites are direct descendants. There are also groups like the Schwarzenau Brethren and the Bruderhof. Some groups, called "Old Order," stay very traditional in their ways. Other "Conservative" groups use some modern technology while keeping their old beliefs. Even though they live differently, they share these same core ideas.

Anabaptism is a Christian movement that emerged during the Radical Reformation in the 16th century.

The term "Anabaptist" comes from Neo-Latin and Greek roots meaning "re-baptizer." This name was often used as a label by those who opposed the movement. Because it was used to criticize them, many modern German speakers prefer the more neutral term "Baptizers." In English, the name Anabaptist is still used to distinguish these groups from the Baptists. Many followers prefer to call themselves "Brethren in Christ" or the "Church of God."

The core of Anabaptist belief is the practice of believer's baptism. This is the idea that baptism is only valid when a person makes a free choice. They believe a candidate must first repent and confess their faith in Christ. Because infants cannot make a conscious decision to repent, Anabaptists view infant baptism as invalid. They believe the New Testament requires this sequence of repenting before being baptized. This stance set them apart from the major religious institutions of their time.

To organize their shared ideas, early Anabaptists created formal statements of faith. The most significant of these was the Schleitheim Confession, written in 1527. Michael Sattler was an author of this document. Shortly after its creation, Sattler was arrested and executed. While Anabaptist groups vary widely in their specific customs, the Schleitheim Confession remains a foundational text. It helped define the theological boundaries of the movement during a period of great change.

Anabaptists often follow a literal interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew. This teaching guides many of their social and political views. They emphasize non-violence and refuse to participate in military actions or the use of force. Many also decline to take oaths or hold positions in civil government. They view themselves primarily as citizens of the kingdom of God rather than earthly nations. This commitment to nonconformity often put them at odds with local governments.

Because their interpretations of scripture differed from official state churches, Anabaptists faced heavy persecution. Both Roman Catholics and Magisterial Protestants often opposed them. They were never established as a state religion and lacked official privileges. Some groups, like those involved in the Münster Rebellion, took more radical paths. However, many historians and groups like the Amish consider such radical elements to be outside the main movement. Most Anabaptists focused on peaceful living and personal piety.

Historians debate how exactly the movement began. One theory is monogenesis, which suggests it started in a single place. Many scholars believe it began in Zürich on January 21, 1525. On this date, Conrad Grebel baptized George Blaurock, who then baptized others. Another theory is polygenesis, which suggests the movement grew from several independent sources. Some researchers argue it developed through separate groups in South Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Today, the movement has many different branches and levels of tradition. The Amish, Hutterites, and Mennonites are direct descendants of the early movement. Some groups are categorized as "Old Order," such as the Old Order Amish or Old Order Mennonites. These groups follow very traditional ways of life. Other "Conservative" groups, like the Beachy Amish, use some modern technology while keeping traditional theology.

All these groups remain connected by their shared historical roots and core theological ideas.