What does anabaptism mean?
Anabaptism is a Christian movement and body of belief that emerged during the Protestant Reformation in sixteenth-century Europe. Its central conviction is that a person should be baptized only after consciously choosing to become a disciple, rather than being baptized automatically as an infant. Anabaptists ordinarily baptize adult or older-child believers, usually by immersion, and many have also been associated with pacifism, voluntary separation from state authority, and close-knit religious communities. The term does not identify a single denomination: today it can refer either to the original Reformation movement or more broadly to traditions descended from it, including Mennonite, Amish, Brethren in Christ, and related communities. Historically, Anabaptist groups often faced severe persecution from both Protestant governments and Catholic authorities, making their story an important part of European religious history. The word remains useful because it distinguishes a specific principle—believer's baptism—from the wider practice of Christian baptism.
nounA Christian movement or body of doctrine that holds that baptism should be administered only to people who have consciously chosen to join the church, rather than to infants. It emerged during the Protestant Reformation in sixteenth-century Europe and is associated with several later Christian traditions.
- The Christian movement and set of beliefs that reject infant baptism in favor of baptism administered to conscious believers, usually by immersion.
"The museum's exhibition traces the roots of anabaptism in the religious reforms of sixteenth-century Europe."
"The settlement was founded by families whose commitment to anabaptism shaped its schools, economy, and community life."
"Historians continue to debate how far early Anabaptist communities differed from other radical Reformation groups."
"The scholar's study examines anabaptism as part of the wider history of religious dissent in early modern Europe."
Rare; anabaptism is usually used as an uncountable noun, especially when referring to the historical movement or a shared body of belief.
"The historian compared the spread of anabaptisms across Europe during the sixteenth century."
Anabaptism put the decision to join a church in the hands of the individual believer, not the parents.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anabaptism
Anabaptism combines Greek ana-, meaning “again,” with baptismos, meaning “baptism,” and thus literally means “baptism again” or “rebaptism.” The term was used during the Reformation for Christians who rejected infant baptism and sought baptism for believing adults, especially those already baptized as infants. Its related forms, including anabaptist and baptism, belong to the same etymological family.
Related word forms
How anabaptism is actually used
This is primarily a formal historical, religious, and academic term. In modern usage it may refer either to the broad sixteenth-century movement or more loosely to the beliefs and practices of present-day Anabaptist communities, such as Mennonites and Amish. It is generally neutral, though historical associations with religious dissent and pacifism may shape its connotations.
Easily confused with anabaptism
Baptism is the Christian rite itself, whereas anabaptism is the movement and doctrine that emphasize personal faith and typically reject infant baptism.