Anabaptism

Anabaptism, while not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, refers to a Christian movement that arose in the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation. The term "Anabaptist" means "one who baptizes again," a name derived from their practice of rejecting infant baptism in favor of believer's baptism—where individuals are baptized after making a personal confession of faith. This practice is rooted in the New Testament understanding of baptism as a public declaration of faith, as seen in passages like Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commands His disciples to baptize all nations, and Acts 2:38-41, where Peter calls for repentance and baptism for those who believe.Anabaptists emphasized the importance of a personal relationship with Christ and the believer's active participation in the church, drawing on biblical principles found in passages like Romans 6:3-4, which speaks of being baptized into Christ's death and raised to new life. They also advocated for a separation from state influence in religious matters, aligning with the teachings of Jesus in John 18:36, where He states, "My kingdom is not of this world." This focus on individual faith and community living has led to the establishment of various Anabaptist groups, such as the Mennonites and Amish, who continue to practice these biblical principles today.

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