In this lecture you’ll learn about the Anabaptist movement and their distinctive beliefs. We’ll consider the life of Michael Sattler, an important leader of the Anabaptists, and see how he stood firm in his faith even when his life was at risk. Next, you’ll find out about Melchior Hoffman and how his followers took over the city of Münster, eventually resulting in chaos, immorality, and significant loss of life. Sadly, European governments tended to lump all radicals together so that peaceful Anabaptists and violent apocalypticists got painted with the same brush. Lastly, we’ll look at Menno Simons who became so influential among the Anabaptists that a sizeable group took his name, becoming the Mennonites. Significant events in this lecture include:
- 1527 Schleitheim Confession
- 1527 Michael Sattler burned at the stake
- 1535 Münster captured
- 1537 Menno Simons becomes an Anabaptist
- 1544 Anabaptists in Netherlands called Mennonites
- 1569 Dirk Willems rescues pursuer
This is lecture 4 of a history of Christianity class called Five Hundred: From Martin Luther to Joel Osteen.
All the notes are available here as a pdf.
—— Notes ——
Anabaptist Distinctives
- Bible as the standard, not tradition or church hierarchy
- Discipleship & love (literal obedience to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount)
- Separation from the world (especially government)
- Home fellowships (voluntary church, no infant baptism)
- Congregational polity
Michael Sattler (1495-1527)
- 1525 -left Benedictine monastery, married a nun named Margaretha, expelled from Zurich
- 1526 – became Anabaptist
- 1527 – major leader in writing Schleitheim Confession[1]
- Baptism for those who repent only
- The ban practiced according to Matthew 18.15-17
- Communion for baptized only
- Separation from the world (including government, Catholics, & Protestants)
- Pastors supported and given authority
- The sword not to be used
- Oaths are not to be taken
- May 21, 1527 – burned at the stake
Articles or Charges against Michael Sattler[2]
- First, that he and his adherents have acted contrary to the mandate of the Emperor.
- Secondly, he has taught, held, and believed that the body and blood of Christ are not present in the sacrament.
- Thirdly, he has taught and believed that infant baptism does not conduce to salvation.
- Fourthly, they have rejected the sacrament of extreme unction.
- Fifthly, they have despised and condemned the mother of God and the saints.
- Sixthly, he has declared that men are not to swear before the authorities.
- Seventhly, he has commenced a new and unheard of custom in regard to the Lord’s Supper, placing the bread and wine on a plate, and eating and drinking the same.
- Eighthly, he has left the order and married a wife.
- Ninthly, he has said that if the Turks should invade the country, no resistance ought to be offered them; and if it were right to wage war, he would rather take the field against the Christians than against the Turks; and it is certainly a great matter, to set the greatest enemies of our holy faith against us.
Thereupon Michael Sattler requested permission to confer with his brethren and sisters, which was granted him. Having conferred with them for a little while, he began and undauntedly answered thus: “In regard to the article
