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Although this was not usual behavior for Anabaptists, their beliefs and actions led to ridicule and persecution from both Protestants and Roman Catholics.
The Anabaptists were not a centrally organized group, but a collection of many groups with common values.
The name means, “To baptize again,” referring to their practice of adult baptism. They were devoted students of the Bible who felt that the reformers were not moving fast enough in applying the principles taught in the Scriptures. They advocated pacifism and opposition to State churches. And they rejected the hierarchy of the Church and the authority of civil bodies in religious matters.
The 1527 Anabaptist Confession of Schleitheim outlined essential Anabaptist doctrine:
1) Adult baptism is the true baptism. 2) Reject all forms of papal influence. 3) Refuse to accept any form of state-controlled church. 4) Prohibit members from attending parish churches and taverns. 5) Uphold pacifism.
The Anabaptists believed that infant baptism and the close union between Church and State were behind all the corruption in the Church. Because most of the citizens of the State were also members of the Church, the bond between Church and State was very strong. When city councils made decisions to join the Reformation, they brought whole cities and states into the Protestant churches. Although external aspects of Roman Catholic ritual were easily changed, the personal lives of many remained untouched. Many members used the doctrine of salvation by faith only as an excuse for loose living. The Anabaptists insisted that membership in the Church be limited to those who committed themselves to Christ.
They were accused of sedition and heresy by civil and religious leaders and hunted, persecuted, and martyred.
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