Below I have made an effort to pull together quotes about the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, from 16th century Anabaptist leaders. To me it seems that such quotes by the Reformers spread across the internet in a fashion much easier to find. Yet, the Anabaptists more manifestly and methodically practiced what they preached about the Scriptures as the sole rule of faith and practice. They held the Scriptures to be inspired, preserved, and that one must serve God in the way he has instituted. I hope these following quotes will prove informative and profitable.
1525, Balthasar Hübmaier
“We should inquire of the Scriptures and not of the Church, for God will have from us only his law, his will, not our wrong heads or what seems good to us…the Holy Scriptures is such a complete, compacted, true, infallible, eternally immortal speech, that the least letter or tittle of it cannot pass away.” “A Conversation of Balthasar Hübmaier” (circa 1525), Balthasar Hübmaier (circa 1480-1528). Quoted in Balthasar Hübmaier: the Leader of the Anabaptists, Henry Clay Vedder. New York, NY: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1905, p. 180.
1538, The Swiss Brethren
“The Swiss Brethren engaged in major theological debates with the Swiss Reformed clergy at Zofingen in 1532 and Bern in 1538. In these debates the Brethren stated succinctly: ‘We hold that all things should be proven to ascertain what is founded on the Holy Word of God, for this will stand when heaven and earth pass away, as Christ Himself said.’” The Swiss Brethren. Quoted in “The Biblicism of the Anabaptists,” John C. Wenger in The Recovery of the Anabaptist Vision, Guy F. Hershberger, Editor. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1957, p. 169.
1530, Pilgram Marpeck
“The Word of the Lord is the only judge and sword of Christians. True Christians will use no other judge, nor sword.” Pilgram Marpeck (ca. 1495-1556), “Exposé of the Babylonian Whore” (early 1530s). Quoted in The Formation of Christian Doctrine, Malcolm B. Yarnell III. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2007, p. 86.
1542, Pilgram Marpeck
“We would sincerely admonish every Christian to be on the alert and personally to study the Scriptures, and have a care lest he permit himself to be easily moved and led away from Scripture and apostolic doctrine by strange teaching and understanding. But let every one, according to Scripture and apostolic teaching, strive with great diligence to do God’s will, seeing that the Word of Truth could not fail us nor mislead us.” Pilgram Marpeck (ca. 1495-1556), Vermanung (1542). Quoted in “The Biblicism of the Anabaptists,” Wenger, p. 168.
“Their script was God’s script engraved…Therefore, they are the writing of God or the Holy Spirit.” Marpeck, Vermanung. Quoted in The Formation of Christian Doctrine, Yarnell, p. 84. Yarnell writes that “Marpeck’s belief in Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word of God was intimately bound with his belief that the Bible is the inscripturated Word of God.”
1539/1554, Menno Simons
“We hope no one will be so ignorant, who is otherwise of a candid and rational mind, but that he will know that the whole Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, were written for our instruction, admonition, and correction; and that they are the true sceptre and rule by which the Lord’s kingdom, house, church, and congregation must be governed and adjusted, 2 Cor. 3:16. Every thing contrary to Scripture, whether it be in doctrines, faith, sacraments, worship, or conduct, should be measured by this infallible rule, and demolished by this just and divine sceptre, without any respect of persons, and brought to nothing.” Menno Simons (1496-1561), The Complete Works of Menno Simon, Translated from the Original, Elkhart, IN: J. F. Funk and Brother, 1871, pp. 53-54.
1554, Menno Simons
“All Scripture, both of the Old and New Testaments, rightly explained according to the intent of Christ Jesus and his holy apostles, is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Tim. 3: 16; but whatever is taught contrary to the Spirit and doctrine of Jesus is accursed of God, Gal. 1.” in The Complete Works of Menno Simon, p. 249.
1556, Menno Simons
Simons calls the Scriptures “the true witness of the Holy Ghost and plummet of our consciences.” in The Complete Works of Menno Simon, p. 167 [plummet = plumb line, plumb bob; that which determines what is right].
1556, Thomas von Imbroich
“The Scripture cannot be broken, nor shall anything be added to or subtracted from the Word. It is God’s Word which remains in eternity.” Thomas von Imbroich (1533-1558), in court in Cologne circa 1556. Quoted in “The Biblicism of the Anabaptists,” Wenger, p. 168.
1564 Dietrich Philip/Dirk Philips
“From these words it is evident that whatever God has not commanded and has not instituted, with express words of Scripture, he does not want to be observed, nor does he want to be served therewith nor will he have his word set aside, nor made to suit the pleasure of men...” Enchiridion or Hand Book of the Christian Doctrine and Religion, Dietrich Philip/Dirk Philips (1504-1568), Abram B. Kolb, Translator. Elkhart, IN: Mennonite Publishing Company, 1910, p. 151.
Writing of those who posit that in the Lord’s Supper they “eat the corporeal body of Christ in the bread, and receive and drink his natural blood in the cup,” Phillips responds, “In this way Christ would be divided and at variance with himself, even though he is the truth itself (John 14:6), and his words everlasting, and that shall not pass away, as he himself declares (Matt. 24:35).” Enchiridion, p. 75.
“Christians must hear the word of God continually as long as they live; for God’s word forever remains to all believers the power of God unto everlasting salvation (Isa. 40:5; 1 Pet. 1:25; 1 Cor. 1:24; Rom. 1:6); but to all unbelievers unto condemnation and testimony against them; for ‘heaven and earth,’ says Christ, ‘shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away’ (Matt. 5:18; 24:15). And David says: ‘Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven’ (Psa. 119:89).” Enchiridion, p. 288.
“...believe the scripture, and remember that it is written there that God, by whom the Holy Scripture is given by inspiration and from whom it comes, alone is true (Psa. 116:11; Rom. 3:4; John 3:33), and that all men (who speak of themselves and not the word of the Lord through his Spirit) are liars.” Enchiridion, p. 445.
1578, Swiss Brethren Confession at Hesse
“We believe, recognize, and confess that the Holy Scriptures both of the Old and New Testaments are to be described as commanded of God and written through holy persons who were derived thereto by the Spirit of God. For this reason, the believing born-again Christians are to employ them for teaching and admonishing, for reproof and reformation, to exhibit the foundation of their faith that is in conformity with Holy Scripture.” Quoted in “The Biblicism of the Anabaptists,” Wenger, pp 168-169. See also The Confession of the Swiss Brethren in Hesse, 1578, edited by Theodor Sippell, and The Context of the Swiss Brethren Confession of faith in Hesse (1578) by Werner O. Packull.
Credit where credit is due. I got my start with quotes in The Recovery of the Anabaptist Vision, edited by Guy F. Hershberger (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1957) and decided to formulate my title from there as well.
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