I am always horrified when I read of how “Christians” martyred fellow Christians over insignificant (in my opinion) doctrinal differences. Although I believe I what would be called believer’s baptism, I do not believe that this is a “deal-breaker” when it comes to the tenets of the faith. Unfortunately, on this date in 1531, Sicke Freerks (Frerichs, Frericx; also called Sicke Snyder) became the first Anabaptist martyr in the Netherlands. This man believed in baptizing believers, not infants. Because he refused to change his views, he was sentenced to the following:
“He was beheaded; his body was tied to the wheel and his head put on a pole. ”
The response to the execution was even more people choosing to follow this “heresy.” My understanding of Scripture is that this man was right. However, killing those who espouse divergent views should not never be practiced. May something like this never happen agsin.
For more info:
http://gameo.org/index.php?title=Sicke_Freerks_(d._1531)
http://www.reformedreader.org/history/cramp/s05ch05.htm
