Who Are the Anabaptists?
Re-Baptizers, Radical Reformers, and Gospel Witnesses — A Movement That Refused to Compromise
Most Christians today know about Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. But fewer are familiar with a group that went even further than the Reformers — a group so radical in its convictions that both Catholics and Protestants tried to suppress them.
These were the Anabaptists, the “re-baptizers.”
To many in the 16th century, they were dangerous. To others, they were heretics. But to themselves, they were simply trying to follow Jesus in purity, obedience, and truth, regardless of the cost.
Who were these people who rejected infant baptism, separated from state churches, and insisted on a faith that transformed lives? And what can we learn from them — in a time when cultural Christianity often replaces costly discipleship?
📜 The Rise of the Anabaptists: A Radical Reformation Begins
The 16th Century Backdrop
The Protestant Reformation had begun with Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517. Across Europe, Christians were waking up to the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church — indulgences, papal corruption, and a salvation based on works.
But while Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli called for reform, they also retained many elements of the old church structure — including infant baptism, church-state alliances, and use of force to maintain religious unity.
A growing number of believers believed that this wasn’t enough.
The Birth of Anabaptism (1525)
In Zurich, Switzerland, a group of young men — Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, and George Blaurock — were initially followers of the Swiss reformer Ulrich Zwingli. But they became disillusioned with how slow and compromised his reforms were.
In 1525, when Zwingli refused to abolish infant baptism, they acted.
On January 21, 1525, in a small home, Grebel baptized Blaurock upon confession of faith — and Blaurock, in turn, baptized the others. This was the beginning of Anabaptism — from the Greek ana (again) and baptizo (to baptize).
To be clear, they rejected infant baptism not out of rebellion, but because they believed Scripture clearly taught that baptism must follow a personal, conscious faith in Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
This single act — adult baptism upon confession of faith — was viewed as heresy by both Catholics and Magisterial Reformers. It was punishable by death.
🔥 Persecution and Martyrdom
Anabaptists were hunted, drowned, burned, and beheaded. Both Protestants and Catholics viewed them as threats to social order, because they refused to swear oaths, bear arms, or submit to state churches.
The idea of religious liberty, which we now take for granted, was foreign at the time. Anabaptists were often accused of being anarchists.
One of the earliest martyrs was Felix Manz, who was drowned in the Limmat River in Zurich — a cruel mockery of his “second baptism.” Others, like Michael Sattler, were tortured and burned alive.
Sattler had authored the famous Schleitheim Confession (1527), a foundational statement of Anabaptist belief.
Despite persecution, the movement grew — spreading through Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Moravia.
🧭 Core Beliefs of the Anabaptists
Though diverse, most early Anabaptists shared several key convictions that distinguished them from both Catholicism and mainstream Protestantism.
1. Believer’s Baptism
Baptism was only for those who could consciously repent and believe in Christ. Infant baptism was rejected as unscriptural.
2. Separation from the World
Anabaptists called for a holy life, separate from worldly politics, violence, and corruption. They emphasized purity in both church and personal life.
3. Nonviolence and Peace
Many early Anabaptists were pacifists, refusing to bear arms or serve in military or governmental positions. They took Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) literally.
4. Church Discipline
They practiced strong church discipline, including the “ban” (excommunication), to maintain purity in the body.
5. Voluntary Church Membership
The church should consist only of regenerate believers. There should be no forced conversions, no state-enforced religion, and no government control of the church.
6. Evangelism and Discipleship
Anabaptists were often itinerant preachers, urging people to repent, believe the gospel, and live as disciples of Jesus.
7. Simple Living and Brotherhood
They rejected wealth, pride, and status. Many lived in intentional communities, sharing possessions and working together (Acts 2:44–45).
🧨 Distortions and Extremes: The Münster Rebellion
Not all who claimed the name “Anabaptist” were peaceful or biblical. A tragic episode occurred in Münster, Germany (1534–1535), when a radical group took control of the city and established a theocratic “New Jerusalem.”
Led by Jan van Leiden, they practiced polygamy, claimed divine visions, and prepared for the end times with violence. The rebellion was crushed, and the debacle became a stain on the Anabaptist name.
But it’s critical to note: Mainstream Anabaptists condemned this rebellion.
Leaders like Menno Simons, a former Catholic priest in the Netherlands, worked hard to distinguish biblical, peaceful Anabaptism from radical, militant distortions.
📖 Biblical Discernment: What Was True, What Went Too Far?
The Anabaptists got much right — and some things wrong.
🌟 Truths Preserved
- Baptism upon faith is clearly biblical (Acts 8:36–38).
- Separation of church and state protects the gospel from political manipulation.
- Nonviolence and enemy love reflect the heart of Jesus (Matthew 5:44).
- Personal discipleship — not mere mental assent — is the mark of true faith (Luke 14:27).
⚠️ Excesses or Errors
- Some Anabaptists drifted into legalism, emphasizing outward holiness without inward grace.
- In rejecting institutional structures, some lacked theological depth or leadership.
- Total separation from society at times led to isolationism, rather than missional presence.
Yet overall, the Anabaptist impulse — to obey Christ at all costs — was deeply biblical and spiritually bold.
🔄 Long-Term Impact: A Legacy of Discipleship and Peace
The Anabaptist movement eventually splintered into several streams:
- Mennonites, named after Menno Simons
- Hutterites, known for communal living
- Amish, who later emphasized simplicity and separation
Today, Anabaptist descendants can be found around the world, especially in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America.
More broadly, the Anabaptists shaped modern Christianity by:
- Championing religious liberty
- Modeling voluntary church membership
- Calling Christians to live like Jesus, not just believe in Him
🪞 Reflection: What Should We Learn or Repent Of?
We live in a time when Christianity is often cultural, comfortable, and compromised.
The Anabaptists remind us that to follow Christ means to take up our cross (Luke 9:23). It may mean standing alone. It may mean suffering for convictions.
- Do we value obedience over popularity?
- Do we separate from worldliness — not physically, but spiritually?
- Do we see church as a community of transformed believers, not just a building or event?
And perhaps most challenging: Are we prepared to suffer for Christ, even at the hands of other Christians?
📣 Why This Still Matters
The Anabaptists were not perfect. But they were courageous.
They refused to let tradition, power, or fear dictate their obedience to Jesus. In a time when reform was partial, they pursued radical faithfulness — even unto death.
Today, as debates rage about church, culture, and compromise, we must recover their zeal for holiness, commitment to community, and love for the truth.
We do not need to imitate their dress or their structures — but we desperately need their conviction.
Because the true church has always been made up of those who “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).