This week in Christian history: ‘Martyr Synod,’ John Wesley attacked, Puritan leader dies

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, August 20, 2023

Anabaptist ‘Martyr Synod’ begins – Aug. 20, 1527

Balthasar Hubmaier (1480-1528), a notable Anabaptist leader. | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of when a notable gathering of Anabaptist leaders to resolve ideological differences among their ranks began their meetings in Augsburg.

Known as the “Martyr Synod” because many of its attendees would later be killed for their beliefs, the assembly handled multiple issues among the nascent Christian movement.

Important leaders in the Anabaptist movement who were present for the synod included Balthasar Hubmaier, Hans Denck, Ludwig Hätzer, Konrad Huber, Hans Hut, Hans Schlaffer and Leonhard Schiemer.

“Many thought it was wrong to take oaths or to serve in government or the military. Others thought Romans 13 allowed a believer to do all three. The Martyr Synod attempted to settle such differences,” explained the Christian History Institute.

“More importantly, it divided the German-speaking areas of Europe between pairs of missionaries so that they could spread their teaching as rapidly as possible without duplication of effort.”