Pioneers of adult baptism and religious freedom in the 16th century, advocating separation of church and state and pacifism.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Anabaptism
Founder: Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, George Blaurock
Founded: 16th century
Location: Primarily in Europe, with communities worldwide
Other Names: Radical Reformation
Emerging in the 16th century, the Anabaptists represent a radical wing of the Protestant Reformation, distinguishing themselves by advocating adult baptism over infant baptism, a practice they deemed not biblically valid. This belief was rooted in the view that baptism should follow a person’s confession of faith, a decision that infants are incapable of making. Their name, Anabaptist, meaning “rebaptizer,” was initially used pejoratively by their opponents who accused them of performing a second, unauthorized baptism.
The origins of Anabaptism are closely tied to the broader Protestant Reformation, particularly within the Swiss Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli. Dissatisfaction with Zwingli’s pace of reform led a segment of his followers, under the leadership of Konrad Grebel, to split and form what would become the Anabaptist movement. Their first adult baptism, marking the formal beginning of the Anabaptist tradition, is believed to have occurred at Zollikon, near Zürich, in 1525.
Anabaptists also held distinctive views on the relationship between the church and state, advocating for a clear separation between the two. They believed that the state’s role was primarily for the punishment of sinners, while the church should be a community of committed believers. Consequently, most Anabaptists were pacifists, opposing war and the use of violence, and they refused to swear oaths, including those to civil authorities. Their refusal to conform to social norms, along with their radical theological positions, led to widespread persecution by both Protestant and Catholic authorities.
Despite intense persecution, the movement persisted and evolved, giving rise to various groups like the Mennonites, the Hutterites, and the Amish, each retaining core Anabaptist principles while developing their unique practices and theological emphases. The Anabaptists’ legacy is significant, contributing to the development of modern notions of freedom of religion, voluntary church membership, and the separation of church and state.
Today, Anabaptist descendants number in the millions worldwide, with significant populations in North America, Europe, and globally, demonstrating a broad cultural spectrum from traditional groups like the Amish to those indistinguishable from other contemporary Protestants.
image via Gentle Wisdom
