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 In 16th Century
Europe there arose a group of people who acknowledged no authority but God's.
They were hunted like outlaws by both Protestants and Catholics. They were
forced to meet in caves and forest glens. Many were burned at the stake or
drowned. Their persecution lasted for over 200 years until they were nearly
annihilated.
These people
separated from the governments of the world and imitated Christ in everything.
They refused the State's protection saying, "If we accept a prince's sword,
we accept his authority. Christ is our only authority."
They were a
Church standing alone, without prince, sword, or money to protect them. "We
have only one Lord, Christ Jesus, and that is all we need," they said.
This peculiar
people first alarmed local officials by baptizing adults and refusing to baptize
infants. This gave them the name of Radicals or Anabaptists. At that time,
infant baptism was viewed as a mark of citizenship. Baptizing newborns was the
system's way to register and track its citizens. Baptism was the equivalent of a
birth certificate today.
Anabaptists
committed ultimate treason by being baptized as adults. By being baptized again,
they were renouncing their former citizenship. Adult baptism symbolized their
breaking away from the old system and their joining with God's kingdom.
Ever since
Constantine, Church and State have been intertwined. Even the early Protestant
movements sought the protection of their princes. But the Anabaptists refused
such ties with the State and offered the world a new vision of Christ's Kingdom,
separated from the world.
"We must
stand apart from the rest of the world. Anyone who joins Christ's kingdom must
separate from the world. It takes only one bad thread to ruin the whole fabric.
If we allow the fabric of this world to be woven into Christ's Church, then the
Church is corrupted," they said.
As these
Radicals first began coming out of the corrupt Roman Catholic system, they could
not concur on what they believed. Finally, at a secret meeting they agreed on
these four articles:
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1)
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Repentant adult sinners are to be
voluntarily baptized to take them out of the old system and into the
Kingdom of God.
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2)
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No oaths of any kind are to be sworn.
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3)
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The sword is rejected because it is
outside the perfection of Christ.
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4)
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There shall be a separation between the
good and the evil, the believing and unbelieving, light and darkness, and
the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdoms of the world. And none shall have
part with the other.
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The movie, The Radicals, tells
the exhilarating yet painful story of Michael and Margaretha Sattler at
the beginning of the Anabaptist movement. This full-length drama was shown
in theaters around the world. The sixteenth century world was not ready
for their message, and the Anabaptists were not prepared to compromise.
Highly recommended color video. 100 minutes.
Want your own
copy of this video?
Order this video today!
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This DVD is playable in all regions Includes English, Spanish
and Portuguese language tracks with optional English subtitles.
 SPECIAL
FEATURES:
- Chapter titles provided for easy scene access
- Chapter introductions by John E. Sharp, Mennonite historian
- Interview with Myron Augsburger, Pilgrim Aflame author
- 30-minute documentary on the Anabaptists
- "Making of" interviews
- Children's story with slideshow
The year is 1525. Michael and Margaretha Sattler have fled their
religious orders. Their quest: restore the church to the purity of its
early days when communities of believers practiced peace, compassion
and sacrificial love.
The Sattlers join a group called the Anabaptists and together
challenge the 1000 year control of the Church by the State. They call
for baptism to once again become, not a mark of
State citizenship, but an adult and voluntary decision to
follow Christ. As their movement grows, so does the determination of
their enemies to stop them...by any means necessary.
In 1527, Michael is burned at he stake and Margaretha drowned. But
their movement survives and today is carried on by the Mennonites,
Brethren, Brethren in Christ, the Hutterites, and the Amish. 4804D
Parental discretion advised |
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Time: 100 min |
Production Year: 1989 |
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