Schleitheim Confession - Brotherly Union of a Number of Children of God Concerning Seven Articles

Sep 28, 2026

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A historical introduction presents the 1527 Schleitheim gathering in Switzerland, where Anabaptist leaders resolved fundamental disagreements and reached consensus on seven points of faith. It explains how the Schleitheim Confession became a widely circulated testimony for an identity rooted in peace as a way of life, offering structure and focus to an emerging movement. The text reflects on continuity, denominational change, and the search for Christian obedience, gathered community, and love.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

The 1527 Schleitheim meeting and seven points of faith

Faith expressed as peace and a Christian way of life

Purpose and influence across early Mennonites

Heritage, identity, and Christian unity

The SchleitheimConfession anslated and editedby John H.Yoder Bx 8124 TheY1977 SchleitheimConfession Translated and editedby John H.Yoder Introduction byLeonard GrosSIWTHDRAW HERALD PRESSScottdale,PennsylvaniaKitchener,Ontario The material on pages 7-29 is reprinted from Volume I ofClassics of the Radical Reformation,The Legacy of MichaelSattler,translated and edited by John H.Yoder.Classics ofthe Radical Reformation is an English language series ofAnabaptist and Free Church documents translated and an-notated under the direction of the Institute of MennoniteStudies,which is the research agency of the Associated Men-nonite Biblical Seminaries,Elkhart,Indiana,and publishedby the Mennonite Publishing House,Scottdale,Pennsyl-vania. THE SCHLEITHEIM CONFESSION Copyrighto1973,1977 by Herald Press,Scottdale,Pa.15683 Published simultaneously in Canada by Herald Press, Kitchener,OntN2G4M5 International Standard Book Number:0-8361-1831-6 Printed in the United States of America Design:Alice B.Shetler 10987654321 Introduction Four and one-half centuries have now passedsince the time of the Brotherly Union—what hasbeen called the“miracle of the Mennonitechurch”—which took place in 1527 at Schleit-heim,Switzerland.At that crucial meeting,Anabaptist leaders converged upon Schleitheim,worked through fundamental disagreements,andemerged through consensus,with seven points offaith. The striking immediate and long-range effectof this meeting was an affirmation of faith,couched in simple language which all couldunderstand.The Schleitheim Confession becamea powerful testimony that peace as a way of life isthe only option for those attempting to live faith-fully as the people of God. Schleitheim functioned for many early Men-nonites as a confession of faith,both as a state-ment of the Christian way of life withinbrotherhood,as well as a witness and mission toall people.The document was sent out far andwide,inviting its readers to identify with thismanifestation of God at work among His people. The Schleitheim Confession gave substance to a movement which until then had largely beenwithout form,a movement seemingly as varied asthe individuals espousing the cause.Schleitheimbrought structure and focus. Mennonites in the 1970s can understandsomething of the foment of the first two years ofthe Anabaptist movement which precipitated theSchleitheim Conference.For we have livedthrough the extremism of the Vietnam era,andwe too have emerged battle-worn and scarred.Searching for answers,we have accepted newmodels originating from a variety of sources,some of them self-contradictory,some of themcontrary to the believers'church foundation ofgatheredness and peace. We have tended to gallop off in all direc-tions—and the question still remains:Whereinlies our identity?What,at its very center,is thesubstance of the current expressions of our realfaith?What do we affirm?What do we rejectfrom the multitude of options before us.fromwhich we must choose?Wherein lies life's mean-ing and movement for us who claim to be a smallbut integral part of God's kingdom? Most of us know little about the Schleitheimstatement of faith,how it came about,and its ef-fect upon the rest of the sixteenth century—indeed its effect upon Mennonites through thecenturies.Schleitheim is a valid place to begin,ironic as this may at first appear to some personswrestling with our current worldwide Mennonitesituation. We would do well to ponder the words of DaleW.Brown,of the Church of the Brethren:"To- day there are signs that some so-called freechurches are weary of hearing about theAnabaptist Vision,while it is coming alive inother circles and places.At the same time manyfolk in the free church tradition continue to ac-culturate to the main stream,there are otherswho are discovering with joy the Anabaptist Vi-sion”(Kingdom,Cross,and Community,pp.271,272). What faith do we,as a brotherhood-church,confess in common?Although the same 450

FAQs

What happened at Schleitheim in 1527, and why is it important?

Anabaptist leaders met in Schleitheim to work through fundamental disagreements and emerged in consensus on seven points of faith. The introduction highlights its lasting impact as an affirmation of faith in simple language people could understand.

How did the Schleitheim Confession shape early Mennonite life?

It functioned as a confession of faith that described the Christian way of life within brotherhood and served as witness and mission. It also gave the movement structure and focus beyond its earlier lack of form.

What does the introduction say about identity and faith in later times?

It asks where identity lies at the center of current expressions of real faith and what believers affirm or reject. It emphasizes studying the Schleitheim Confession to seek greater unity and consensus about faith.

Sep 28, 2026

Upload by Sarah