Grebel

Grebel, Conrad (c. 1498-1526)

Conrad Grebel was a Swiss Anabaptist leader and co-founder of the Swiss Brethren movement. He is often referred to as the "Father of Anabaptism."

Born in Grüningen, near Zurich, Switzerland, Grebel was initially a proponent of the Zwinglian Reformation in Zurich. He studied at universities in Basel, Vienna, and Paris, acquiring a classical education. However, he grew increasingly disillusioned with the pace and direction of the Reformation under Zwingli. Grebel believed that Zwingli was too reliant on the city council for implementing reforms and that the Bible should be the sole authority in matters of faith and practice.

A central point of contention was the issue of infant baptism. Grebel and his associates came to believe that baptism was only valid when administered to individuals who had made a conscious profession of faith in Jesus Christ. They argued that infant baptism was not scriptural and did not meet the requirements for true discipleship.

In January 1525, Grebel and a group of like-minded individuals, including Felix Manz and George Blaurock, gathered in Zurich. They performed believer's baptism on each other, effectively breaking with Zwingli and the established church. This act is considered the founding of Anabaptism.

Grebel dedicated himself to spreading his beliefs through preaching and teaching, traveling throughout the region and baptizing new converts. His activities drew strong opposition from Zwingli and the Zurich city council, who viewed the Anabaptists as a threat to social order and religious unity.

Grebel faced persecution for his beliefs. He was arrested and imprisoned on several occasions. He died of the plague in 1526, while fleeing persecution. Despite his short life, Grebel's leadership and commitment to his convictions played a crucial role in the early development of Anabaptism, which continues to influence various Christian denominations today. His emphasis on believer's baptism, discipleship, and separation of church and state remain core tenets of Anabaptist theology.