Anabaptism

A term derived from the Greek word for “re-baptizer”, or “baptize a second time”. Used to refer to the radical wing of the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Anabaptists did not believe that the baptism of infants was real baptism; only the anointing or immersion of someone who was mature enough to accept the faith consciously was a sacrament.

The three leading Reformation leaders Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli called for the discarding of much of the Roman Catholic tradition, however they still all retained infant baptism. The Anabaptists felt the Reformation didn’t go far enough and denounced the baptism of babies. They were condemned and persecuted by the Catholic authorities and even by the Reformers.