1. Introducing the Anabaptists
Starring:
Conrad Grebel
Menno Simons

2. Conrad Grebel 1498-1526 Lived in Zurich
1521- founded the Swiss Brethren when he rebelled against his former teacher, Zwingli because he was reluctant to reform and made too many concessions to the state
1525- started adult baptism
persecuted for his beliefs

3. Grebel’s Beliefs Against violence, war, child baptism and theocracy
humanist
simple living—lived apart from society in own communities.
everyone has access to Bible

4. Menno Simons 1496-1561 1524- consecrated as a Catholic priest
1525- first doubted transubstantiation
1531- first exposed to idea of adult baptism
1536- renounced Catholic Church
1537- ordained as an elder in Anabaptist Church
1539- Foundation-Book

5. Simon’s Beliefs Non-resistance complete separation of church and state
adult baptism
adultery only grounds for divorce
can’t marry outside church

6. Lutheranism vs. Anabaptism
Emphasis on New Testament
renounced state support
adult baptism
Both renounced the Catholic Church
Emphasis on both Testaments
appealed to German Princes
infant baptism
Both reduced the number of sacraments

7. Political and Religious Impacts
Breakdown of Catholicism
Zwingli loses influence in some areas due to the spread of Anabaptism
More division among the Protestants
Stimulated the development of Anabaptist communities in Munster & Westphalia, founded by Mathijs and Leiden

8. More Impacts Resulted in the development of the Mennonites
Resulted in persecution of Anabaptists in many areas due to their alienation from political life.

9. Renaissance Connections
Valued education for all members of the community in vernacular languages.
Valued the ability of individuals to comprehend the Bible and explain its meaning to other members of the community.

10. In Summary
Grebel and Simons founded Anabaptism in Zurich in response to the need to reform both the Catholic Church and other Protestant leaders
The Bible

11. Bibliography
Loewen, Harry, and Steven Nolt. Through Fire and Water: An Overview of Mennonite History. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1996.