History
Menno Simons
Menno Simons was born in 1496 and died in 1561. He was a Catholic priest living in the Rhein Lowlands, when he joined the Anabaptist movement. Menno Simons was a Dutch Roman Catholic priest before his conversion to Anabaptism in 1536. Simons renounced his Catholic faith and his office as a priest. Soon he received a following based upon his leadership and his writings. Menno Simons taught that Jesus did not take the flesh from his mother, but either brought his body from heaven or had body made for him by the speaking of God's Word. The Anabaptists were accused of denying the Incarnation of Christ. Menno Simons wrote the 1623 Mennonite Dordrecht Confession of Faith. Those who followed Menno Simons became known as the Mennonites. The Anabaptist condemns oaths, and disagreed that disputes between believers and non-believers should be handled by courts of law. Anabaptist followers under Menno Simons believe they may not bear arms or offer aggressive confrontation to wrongdoers, nor carry swords. It is also thought that Anabaptist believers should avoid participating in civil government because that activity belongs to the world; thus, Anabaptist believers may not hold public office. Those who are sinners or unfaithful must be excommunicated. Those that are excommunicated must be excluded from taking the sacraments and having any contact with those whom remain believers.