BIOGRAPHY OF MENNO SIMONS, continued The following is an extract from Book 16 in the Downfall of the Tyrants, by Peter Jantsz Twisck, pages 1074-1075. A daughter of Menno Simons, a praiseworthy woman, in our presence related the following incident: A certain traitor who had agreed, for a certain sum of money, to deliver without … Continue reading Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – Part 6
Mennonite
Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 4
Thomas Herman, a very earnest preacher of the Gospel, was arrested at Kitzipil in the year 1527, and was also sentenced to be burned. His heart they could not burn and at last threw it into the lake, which was near the place of execution. Leonhard Schoner, a defender of the teachings of Christ, was, … Continue reading Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 4
Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 3
For more than 1,600 years these defenceless Baptists were distressed by persecution, imprisonment, beside all kinds of torment and torture, and finally killed by fire, sword, hunger and drowning. Nevertheless, through all the centuries from the apostles’ time on, there were many Baptists who maintained, preached and practised the pure teachings of Christ, in spite … Continue reading Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 3
Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 2
AN HISTORICAL PRESENTATION OF THE ORIGIN OF BAPTISTS OR MENNONITES “This is My Beloved Son: hear Him!”— Luke 9:35. As Jesus, the Saviour of the world and founder of the Christian religion, wanted to start His teaching among the Jews, He let Himself be baptised beforehand in the Jordan by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13) … Continue reading Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 2
Who was Benjamin Eby?
Benjamin Eby was a great-great-grandson of Jacob Eby, who was ordained bishop of the Mennonites at Zurich, Switzerland in 1663. Jacob’s son, Theodor us Eby, left Switzerland in 1704 to escape the persecution of the Mennonites that was going on there. This Eby family settled in Lancaster County Pennsylvania in 1715. Benjamin Eby’s older brother, … Continue reading Who was Benjamin Eby?
Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 1
PREFACE Kind Reader: Since there are many opinions regarding the Christian faith among Christians, and on this account each religious denomination has and seeks to make known its own individual beliefs, it is therefore necessary that each one, who searches for the truth, can prove the same by the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, I also thought … Continue reading Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 1
Succession of the apostolic faith
While many historians consider that there is no historical relationship or kinship of faith between the Cathars, Donatists, Waldensians, Mennonites, etc., we in the Anabaptist tradition believe they were all manifestations of one, holy, apostolic faith. The following paragraphs are excerpted from the author’s introduction to a massive book (1100 pages) compiled in 1660 by … Continue reading Succession of the apostolic faith
Early Church History
The first recorded separation of the Christian Church occurred in A.D. 251. Novatian, bishop at Carthage (near the location of the present day city of Tunis) in North Africa, insisted that members who had renounced Christ during the persecution of Diocletian could no longer be recognized as members of the Church of Christ. He was … Continue reading Early Church History
English Christianity – Part 5
ENGLISH MENNONITES IN HOLLAND In May of 1610 there was a conference between the Waterlanders and John Smyth’s congregation. At this time a confession of faith was drawn up and signed by those participating and it appears that the Englishmen were now accepted as part of the Mennonite church. It may be that they were … Continue reading English Christianity – Part 5
English Christianity – Part 4
JOHN SMYTH AND THE MENNONITES John Smyth, a minister of the Church of England, was dismissed as a preacher of that church in 1602. He continued to preach without a license, becoming the spiritual leader of a number of like-minded people from Lincolnshire and adjoining areas of Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. For a time these people … Continue reading English Christianity – Part 4
Flatlander Faith 