Page 72 - History of Christianity - Student Textbook

Zwingli’s beliefs were simple and straightforward: the Bible is truth; anything not in the Bible is not truth. He
believed that the communion elements were symbols of the body and blood of Jesus. It was the simplicity of
this message that garnered him great public support from his people in Switzerland; and eventually outrage, and
even war, from Roman officials.

In 1531 Catholics attacked the city of Zurich, and the Protestants went to battle against them. Ulrich Zwingli
joined Zurich’s army as a field chaplain. He was severely wounded on the battlefield, and when enemy soldiers
found him, they killed him and proceeded to cut up his body, burn the pieces, and mix his ashes with dung.

Zwingli’s influence in the Reformation cannot be overstated. He stands as one of the greats of the movement
that began in Europe and remains today. Protestants throughout the world owe a great deal to Ulrich Zwingli.
(https://www.gotquestions.org/Ulrich-Zwingli.html)

Meno Simons 1496-1561

Menno Simons is without doubt the greatest figure in the history of the Mennonite Church.

He was not the founder but is often called the regenerator of the Anabaptist movement. He
certainly was its most important leader in the Netherlands during the sixteenth century.
Menno assumed leadership during a crucial period in which the Anabaptist movement was in
danger of losing its original identity. His prolific writings and moderate leadership were
essential in unifying the nonviolent wing of the Dutch Anabaptists and maintaining their
peaceful beliefs.

He is quoted as saying, “For true evangelical faith...cannot lie dormant; but manifests itself in all righteousness
and works of love; it...clothes the naked; feeds the hungry; consoles the afflicted; shelters the miserable; aids
and consoles all the oppressed; returns good for evil; serves those that injure it; prays for those that persecute
it."

13.4 Let’s Practice…

1-4. List four factors that led up to the Protestant Reformation.

5. What major doctrine did Martin Luther “discover” which helped him see the true path to salvation.

6. What are indulgences? Why was Martin Luther protesting them?

7. Explain briefly Martin Luther’s views about Jews.

8. What were Zwingli’s principle beliefs?

9. What church movement was established by Menno Simons?

13.5 Let’s Personalize this Lesson…

Activity: Put yourself back in time to the days of Martin Luther. You are just a common farmer trying
to provide food for your family each day. What did you know about God back then? If you wanted to
know God in a more relational way, how could you access His Word?

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