Felix Manz (also known as Felix Mantz), born around 1498, stands as a pivotal figure in the annals of the 16th-century Christian Reformation, particularly within the branch known as the Radical Reformation. A scholar and native of Zürich, Switzerland, Manz is historically recognized as an influential Anabaptist leader, a co-founder of the foundational Swiss Brethren congregation in Zürich, and tragically, the very first martyr of the Radical Reformation, executed on January 5, 1527.

The Emergence of Anabaptism and the Swiss Brethren

Born into a respected Zürich family, Felix Manz received an excellent education, excelling in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, which equipped him to deeply engage with the emerging theological debates of his time. Initially a fervent supporter of Huldrych Zwingli's reform efforts in Zürich, Manz, along with other like-minded individuals such as Conrad Grebel and George Blaurock, began to question the pace and depth of Zwingli's reforms, particularly regarding the practice of infant baptism and the role of the state in church affairs.

These disagreements culminated in a definitive break. On January 21, 1525, in Felix Manz's mother's house in Zürich, a momentous event occurred: George Blaurock requested Conrad Grebel to baptize him upon a confession of faith. Grebel complied, and Blaurock, in turn, baptized several others present, including Felix Manz. This act, known as the "first adult baptism," marked the symbolic birth of the Anabaptist movement in Switzerland and the formal establishment of the Swiss Brethren. They advocated for what they called "believer's baptism" – the conviction that baptism should only be administered to individuals who have consciously confessed their faith, rather than infants.

Core Beliefs and Conflict

The Anabaptists, whose name literally means "re-baptizers" (a derogatory term given by their opponents, as they rejected infant baptism and practiced adult baptism), held several tenets that brought them into direct conflict with both Catholic and Magisterial Protestant authorities:

• Believer's Baptism: The central tenet, rejecting infant baptism as unbiblical and advocating for baptism only upon a personal confession of faith.
• Separation of Church and State: Unlike Lutherans, Calvinists, or Zwinglians, Anabaptists believed the church should be a voluntary association of believers, distinct from state control. They often refused to hold public office, serve in the military, or swear oaths.
• Priesthood of All Believers: Emphasizing direct access to God and the Bible for every believer.
• Non-Resistance/Pacifism: Many Anabaptist groups advocated for non-violence and refusal to participate in warfare.

These principles were deemed radical and subversive by the Zürich city council, which viewed them as a threat to social order and religious uniformity. The authorities saw believer's baptism as a seditious act, effectively nullifying the citizen's oath to the state, as infant baptism was intertwined with civic registration.

The First Martyr of the Radical Reformation

The Zürich authorities soon cracked down on the nascent Anabaptist movement. Felix Manz, along with other Swiss Brethren leaders, was repeatedly arrested, imprisoned, and subjected to debates with Zwingli and other reformers. Despite persecution, Manz remained steadfast in his convictions, continuing to preach and administer baptisms.

His unwavering commitment ultimately led to his tragic end. On January 5, 1527, following a decree by the Zürich City Council that pronounced adult baptism a capital offense, Felix Manz was condemned to death by drowning. This method of execution was chosen as a cruel mockery of the Anabaptist practice of baptism by immersion. He was led through the streets of Zürich, accompanied by his brother and mother who exhorted him to remain faithful, to the Limmat River. Before his execution, he sang the Latin hymn "In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum" ("Into your hands, O Lord, I commit my spirit"). He was then bound and cast into the river.

Felix Manz's execution marked him as the first Anabaptist martyr of the Reformation, a profound and inspiring event that solidified the identity and resolve of the nascent Anabaptist movement. His death, a direct consequence of his adherence to deeply held religious convictions, became a powerful symbol of faithfulness unto death for generations of Anabaptists who would endure relentless persecution across Europe.

Legacy and Significance

Manz's martyrdom underscored the high cost of religious dissent during the Reformation era. His courage and unwavering faith in the face of death inspired countless others to embrace the Anabaptist cause, even in the face of extreme danger. The principles he helped champion – particularly believer's baptism and the separation of church and state – although radical in his time, laid foundational ideas for modern concepts of religious freedom and individual conscience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who was Felix Manz?

Felix Manz was a prominent Swiss scholar and a co-founder of the original Swiss Brethren Anabaptist congregation in Zürich, Switzerland, known for advocating adult believer's baptism and for being the first martyr of the Radical Reformation.

What is Anabaptism?

Anabaptism is a branch of Protestant Christianity that emerged during the 16th-century Reformation, primarily distinguished by its belief in "believer's baptism" (adult baptism upon confession of faith), the separation of church and state, and often pacifism.

Why was Felix Manz considered a "martyr"?

Felix Manz was martyred because he was executed by the Zürich authorities on January 5, 1527, for his religious beliefs and practices, specifically for promoting and performing adult baptism, which was deemed an illegal and subversive act.

What was the Swiss Brethren congregation?

The Swiss Brethren was the initial Anabaptist congregation formed in Zürich around 1525, comprising a group of reformers who broke with Huldrych Zwingli over issues like infant baptism and the role of the civil government in religious affairs.

What characterized the Radical Reformation?

The Radical Reformation encompasses various movements within the 16th-century Protestant Reformation that sought more immediate and fundamental changes than those pursued by the Magisterial Reformers (like Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli), often emphasizing a return to New Testament church practices, voluntarism, and a distinct separation between the church and secular power.