Balthasar Hubmaier

What happens when one of the most brilliant scholars of his day realizes that all his prestigious academic titles mean nothing compared to the simple truth of the Word of God?
In the early sixteenth century, Balthasar Hubmaier was a theological powerhouse. Armed with a doctorate and a reputation as an incredibly persuasive preacher, he had every worldly advantage. However, as he carefully studied the Greek New Testament, the traditions of the state church began to crumble under the clear authority of Scripture. He saw that true baptism in the Bible was not a ritual forced on a baby, but a deliberate choice made by an adult who had repented and believed.
Choosing to follow the Bible instead of tradition was extremely dangerous. Hubmaier boldly joined the radical Anabaptist movement and became its most educated and powerful defender. He wrote strong, clear books explaining believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper, teaching that the true church must be a free, willing community, not controlled by the government. His writings were simple, logical, and firm. He used his brilliant mind not to gain power, but to stand for the plain truth of God’s Word.
His sharp mind and bold teaching made him a serious threat to the rulers of his day. Hunted again and again, he finally helped build a large church of thousands of believers in Moravia. But the empire eventually caught him. In 1528 he was arrested, taken to Vienna, thrown into a dark prison, and tortured. Even then, he refused to deny what he had learned from the Bible. He was burned at the stake for his faith. Three days later, his brave wife, Elsbeth, was drowned in the Danube River for sharing his beliefs. Together, they left a powerful example of full obedience to Scripture, showing that no price is too high to follow the truth.