Schleitheim Confession of Faith (1527 AD)
First Anabaptist confession drafted by Michael Sattler covering seven core articles
The Schleitheim Confession (*Brüderliche Vereinigung*) was authored by former Benedictine prior Michael Sattler at a clandestine gathering of Swiss Brethren in February 1527, articulating seven fundamental articles of the Anabaptist Radical Reformation: 1. Believer's baptism (rejecting infant baptism); 2. The Ban (excommunication for fallen members); 3. Breaking of Bread (only for baptized believers); 4. Separation from the evil world; 5. Shepherds in the church; 6. The Sword (absolute nonresistance / pacifism, forbidding holding civil office); and 7. The Oath (prohibiting swearing oaths).
Historical Context & Significance
Shortly after drafting the confession, Sattler was arrested, tortured, and burned at the stake by Catholic authorities in Rottenburg, while his wife Margaretha was drowned.
Genealogical Lineage & Splits
This movement or council is an early root foundation with no preceding parent split in the dataset.
Theological & Hermeneutical Coordinates
Primary Scripture Proof-Texts
Key biblical passages central to this tradition's exegesis and historical debates.
Connected Theological Perspectives & Debates
Universal confession that Christians are called to love their enemies, pray for persecutors, and respect civil authorities as established under God's providence.
Universal confession that adult converts from paganism or unbelief must make a conscious profession of repentance and faith before receiving baptism.
Universal confession that the church is called to holiness and that persistent, unrepentant scandalous sin requires pastoral confrontation and correction.