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?

Peering through 500 years of history, how can we know what caused the Reformation? When the prophet Habakkuk lamented that he did not understand what God was doing, God replied pointedly, “I am working a work in your days which you would not believe even if someone told it to you.”

We begin with God’s promises before talking about central issues such as the believer’s church, non-participation in warfare, the nature of the Kingdom of God, and new access to Scripture. Then we discuss contributing factors such as plague and threat of invasion before returning once again to God’s promise.

Imagine a church out of touch with reality! What kind of answers could it provide for the European masses? On top of that, imagine religious ignorance born from illiteracy and followed by religious totalitarian control.

Any lessons for us?

In this talk, Kinley Coulter outlines three points to highlight the battle we are in, and how to effectively win by God’s grace:

THE INESCAPABLE REALITY:

The forces powering the conflict that is raging between the Church and the kingdoms of this world are invisible but utterly real and eternally dangerous.

OUR INFERNAL RIVAL:

The kingdoms of this world are walking in blind, faithful obedience to the God of this world. We do well to consider the ‘wiles’ and ‘devices’ of the prince of this world so that we can better perceive how he operates against us through fallen humanity, deceiving us into compromise and disobedience.

OUR INFINITE RESOURCES:

The church will, most certainly, prevail. The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord. The resurrection power we wield as the people of God is without limit, and so we are without excuse. Tragically, many Christians, many congregations, and many denominations will be ineffective, or worse, suffer needless shipwreck.

The topic ends with a call to faithfulness.

In this engaging talk, Melvin Lehman discusses how Communism and Socialism have failed. He begins with the its history and high aspirations: goals we could identify with. Yet it’s famously crumbled. Why?

Are we destined to have a society with disparate poor and wealthy classes? How can worthy goals like equality be realized today? Melvin points to the answer offered by Jesus.

This chorus of 150+ youth attendees of KFW 2024 praised the Lord in song together.