THE SATTLERS – AN ANABAPTIST COUPLE

A Christian and persecution are synonyms, much like the two sides of a coin. Such is the history of the Church, that it is considered, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church” popularised by the early Church father Tertullian. This opinion is much in line with what the Bible says in Hebrews chapter eleven.
– “35…and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” – Hebrews 11:35-38

On 20th May, 1527, almost five hundred years ago, Michael Sattler, a prominent Anabaptist leader, was burned at the stake, after being judged a heretic, on nine charges related to the Anabaptist teachings, by the judicial authorities, including the Wittenberg Theologians, which had the reformer, Martin Luther, as one of its members. The Diet of Speyer in 1529 even imposed the death penalty on all Anabaptists. 

Michael Sattler was subjected to torture before being burned alive at the stake. His tongue was cut out, and his body was torn seven times with tongs,  according to Paul F. Pavao, in his article “Christian History for Everyman. Greatest Stories Ever Told.” Michael Sattler’s execution is considered as a very significant event in the history of the Anabaptists. He played a significant contributing role, in developing the Schleitheim Confession, a set of Anabaptists’ foundational principles. 

As Michael Sattler was being led to his execution, he called on the crowds to repent, and prayed for the judges. Sattler prayed this prayer as he was bound to the stake.
– “Almighty, eternal God, Thou art the way and the truth; because I have not been shown to be in error, I will with thy help on this day testify to the truth and seal it with my blood.”

Sadly, the Protestant reformers, utterly and tragically failed in being fair, kind, generous and merciful towards Anabaptists, with those who held strong and differing views about baptism, sacraments and few other matters of the Church. Is this how the children and disciples of Christ Jesus, treat those with whom they differ? It is embarrassing to read the history of the church in Europe, to say the least, where the innocent blood of fellow Christians was shed, both by the Roman Catholics and the Protestant reformers, with such cold and inhuman cruelty, simply because someone held a different view, even though their overall contribution is great and invaluable. Small wonder then, the people have rejected the Church, and sadly hold Christ Jesus, with such irreverence, contempt and disdain.
– “…the Reformers placed themselves on the side of the rulers to ensure that their own positions were seen as separate [from the Anabaptists.] Zwingli, for instance, who had initially welcomed the Anabaptist movement, connived with the Council of Zürich, and Felix Manz became the movement’s first martyr when he was drowned in the river Limmat in 1527. The Wittenberg theologians, Luther included, also joined with the ruling classes in adopting a merciless approach to the Anabaptists. The 1529 Diet of Speyer – venue of the Protestation at Speyer – imposed the death penalty on all Anabaptists. Urged by the Emperor, Elector Ludwig V had already passed an edict against Anabaptists in 1528, which led to the execution of fifteen people in the administrative district of Alzey…The Anabaptists were described as “Satanic vermin” and their expulsion was ordered.” – From the article “Luther and Baptists”

What can we learn from Michael Sattler, the “arch-heretic” for our faith this morning, five hundred years after his “legal” murder by the Church? I learn to hold on to what we believe to be true, despite all the opposition, and the persecution from inside the Church, and outside of it. Even so the LORD help us.