What would come to be called the “Radical Reformation or Anabaptism” began in a time of unrest and upheaval. The medieval traditions and the authority of the established church were being challenged by many voices and ideas.

How could someone know the truth in such a chaotic and confusing time? If the traditional medieval church model was corrupted, should it be reformed or completely rebuilt? How should the Scriptures be interpreted and applied to give the right direction? By what process would believers determine God’s direction for their lives and how would they counsel other believers?

Those decisions were important, because they would live, and perhaps die, by what they believed and by whose voice they chose to follow.

Thousands of courageous young men willingly gave their lives to defend the “cause of freedom” in the World Wars.

Where are the men and women, young and old, who would willingly risk their lives for the cause of Spiritual Freedom today? Why aren’t we hearing about more Anabaptist people losing their lives in spreading the Gospel?

Fifty days after Christ’s resurrection, the mighty wind of the Spirit of Power roared through the midst of 120 disciples when the Day of Pentecost “was fully come.” This birthed the Church of the Firstborn, 3,000 strong, from a rag-tag band of disciples. Corruption invaded almost immediately (Acts 5) among the Brethren. This disgrace quickly “made havock of the Church… perverting its Gospel” (Gal. 1:6-9), and devastating its testimony.

The Spirit of Pentecost continued to whisper breezes of Truth among nascent reform movements through long centuries riddled with compromise and error among God’s people. Early in the 16th century, these stirrings became storm-clouds and the “rushing mighty wind” of the Spirit roared again on another tiny band of disciples. Reformers? Yes, but radicalized… doggedly determined to unleash the Spirit of Truth and the Sword of His Word. Their non-negotiable goal? A rebirth in the Church of the Firstborn.

Four men that loomed large in the early days of this Spirit-powered upheaval deserve some thoughtful consideration. Ulrich Zwingli, Felix Manz, Conrad Grebel and George Blaurock all bled and died in the early days of Anabaptism for their understanding of the Church. We do well to examine the two Spirits clashing among them… the Harlot Church, and the Church of the Living God have come to blows. This same battle rages in our day. Whose testimony will we pattern the church after in our day?