The Anabaptists: A Brief History

The Anabaptists were predecessors to the Amish, Mennonites, and other Christian churches

The Anabaptists were a religious group which developed a set of beliefs counter to the dominant Catholic Church. Anabaptist beliefs also set them apart from Protestant reformers. The term “Anabaptist” is still used today to describe churches which descended from the original movement.

The Anabaptist Movement: How it Began

The Anabaptist movement began in Zurich in Switzerland in 1525 as an offshoot of the Protestant reformation. Protestant reformers such as Ulrich Zwingli – despite his impetus to reform – nonetheless felt that the church should subordinate itself to the state in reform matters.

At three-dimensional drawing of the old city of Zurich in the 1500s — Zurich in the 1500s. The city was the birthplace of Anabaptism

Zwingli’s students Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, and Georg Blaurock objected to this approach, feeling the church should be independent of state power.

A particular sticking point for these early reformers was the issue of infant baptism, which Zwingli supported and his students opposed. Despite efforts to reach a compromise, Zwingli and the reformers were not able to resolve their issues.

A statue of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ — Anabaptists believed that baptism should be reserved for adults only

In January of 1525, the Zurich City Council instituted legal requirements of infant baptism – with fines for those who failed to do so.

In response, Grebel, Manz, and Blaurock re-baptized each other and their followers in secret at Manz’s home a few days later on January 21, 1525. And thus began the Anabaptist movement. This group of Swiss Brethren (Schweizer Brüder, as they were known) subsequently spread their beliefs to neighboring countries.

What did the Anabaptists believe?

Anabaptists believed in a number of tenets which conflicted with Church and state authority, including adult baptism. The name “Anabaptist” was originally a derogatory name meaning “rebaptizer”.

Anabaptists also believed in non-resistance, which prevented them from serving in state militaries. Anabaptists subscribed to a number of other doctrines, including social shunning for excommunicated members, non-swearing of oaths, and the practice of footwashing.

The first Anabaptist confession of faith was known as the Schleitheim Confession (1527), outlining seven key articles of faith.

Book showing Dordrecht Confession of faith in German and English — Article 14 of the Dordrecht Confession of Faith, on nonresistance

Over a century later, the Dordrecht Confession (1632) was adopted by Dutch Mennonite leaders. This expanded document, with 18 points of faith, remains important to the Amish today, who use it as the basis for baptismal instruction.

State persecution of Anabaptists

The State Church saw the Anabaptists as a threat. Infant baptism was a means of controlling the populace, as children were entered into state records.

Anabaptist demands for adult baptism and other changes to the state church, including challenges to priestly authority, were seen as upsetting the established order. Anabaptist refusal to bear arms was considered seditious. The idea itself threatened state security in the face of external threats, especially if it spread.

An etching of a woman tied to a ladder being pushed into a blazing fire, with medieval church in background — Many Anabaptist people suffered terribly, but kept their faith until the end. Etching by Jan Lukyen from the *Martyrs Mirror*

As a result, both Protestant and Catholic authorities persecuted Anabaptists, capturing, torturing, and killing many over the ensuing decades. Despite their persecution, many Anabaptists remained faithful to their convictions to the very end.

In one famous story, an Anabaptist on the run (Dirk Willems) stopped to rescue his pursuer when he fell through the ice of a frozen pond. Willems was subsequently captured and executed.

An etching of a man in a hat reaching to help another man fallen into a frozen pond while others look on — Dirk Willems rescues his pursuer. Etching from the Martyrs Mirror by Jan Luyken

The book Martyrs Mirror, by Thieleman J. van Braght, is an account of the martyrdom of numerous Christians, including early Anabaptists. Martyrs Mirror is well-known among Amish. The martyr tradition of Anabaptism influences the way that Amish and other descendants view their place in the world today.

Which groups are considered “Anabaptist” today?

The Amish and Mennonite traditions eventually emerged from the Anabaptist movement in the late 1600s. In addition to the Amish, numerous other groups including Mennonites, Hutterites, and Brethren can be included as descendants of the Anabaptists.

Rear view of four women's heads, two wearing white prayer coverings and two wearing colored pattern coverings — Mennonites and Amish are among the religious groups still considered “Anabaptist” today. Photo: Jim Halverson

The term “Anabaptist” is still used to describe these groups, many of which still share similar doctrines of non-resistance, adult baptism, and social shunning.

For more, see:

Where do the Amish come from?
Do Amish live in Europe?
The 10 Oldest Amish Communities
Mennonites vs. Amish
The Hutterites
What Do The Amish Believe? 20 Faith Statements
A History of the Amish, Steven M. Nolt

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