Anabaptism is a Christian movement which traces its origins to the Radical Reformation in the 16th century. Anabaptists believe that baptism is valid only when candidates freely confess their faith in Christ and request to be baptized. Commonly referred to as believer's baptism, it is opposed to baptism of infants, who are not able to make a conscious decision to be baptized.
Hutterites, also called Hutterian Brethren, are a communal ethnoreligious branch of Anabaptists, who, like the Amish and Mennonites, trace their roots to the Radical Reformation of the early 16th century and have formed intentional communities.
Jakob Ammann was a Swiss Anabaptist leader and the namesake of the Amish religious movement.
The Schleitheim Confession was the most representative statement of Anabaptist principles, by a group of Swiss Anabaptists in 1527 in Schleitheim, Switzerland. The real title is Brüderliche vereynigung etzlicher Kinder Gottes siben Artickel betreffend ....
Anabaptist theology, also known as Anabaptist doctrine, is a theological tradition reflecting the doctrine of the Anabaptist Churches. The major branches of Anabaptist Christianity agree on core doctrines but have nuances in practice. While the adherence to doctrine is important in Anabaptist Christianity, living righteously is stressed to a greater degree.
Balthasar Hubmaier was an influential German Anabaptist leader. He was one of the most well-known and respected Anabaptist theologians of the Reformation.
Pilgram Marpeck, also Pilgram Marbeck or Pilgrim Marpeck, was an important Anabaptist leader in southern Germany in the 16th century.
Ludwig Haetzer was an Anabaptist.
Jacob Kautz was an Anabaptist who posted seven theses to the door of the Worms Cathedral in 1527. He undermined the authority of the church with accusations of idolatry. In essence, he took Martin Luther's protest to the logical conclusion that individual freedom of conscience should be enshrined in law.
Schleitheim is a municipality in the canton of Schaffhausen in Switzerland, located directly on the border with Germany.
The Zürich Bible is a Swiss German Bible translation historically based on the rescensions of Huldrych Zwingli. Recent editions have a stated aim of maximal philological exactitude.
Michael Sattler was a monk who left the Roman Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation to become one of the early leaders of the Anabaptist movement. He was particularly influential for his role in developing the Schleitheim Confession.
The Ausbund is the oldest Anabaptist hymnal and one of the oldest Christian song books in continuous use. It is used today by North American Amish congregations.
Leonhard Schiemer was an early pacifist Anabaptist writer and martyr whose work survives in the Ausbund.
Hans Hut was a very active Anabaptist in southern Germany and Austria.
Hans Denck was a German theologian and Anabaptist leader during the Reformation.
The Swiss Brethren are a branch of Anabaptism that started in Zürich, spread to nearby cities and towns, and then was exported to neighboring countries. Today's Swiss Mennonite Conference can be traced to the Swiss Brethren.
Hans Schlaffer was a former Catholic priest, who became an Anabaptist in 1526. In May 1527, Schlaffer was part of the group surrounding Hans Hut, and therefore involved in a notable theological controversy taking place in Nikolsburg, Moravia. Unfortunately, the exact subject of the debate has been lost to history, but it may have involved the question of whether or not a committed Christian could hold a job, e.g. as a soldier, in which he would be required to use violence. He was arrested in 1528, along with fellow Anabaptist Leonard Fryk, brought to Schwaz, and questioned regarding his heretical views regarding the inappropriacy of infant baptism as practiced by Catholics. He refused to recant and was subsequently burnt.
Augustin Bader was an Anabaptist leader and Millennialist.
