Jumpstarter 6 of 10

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Question 6

In the Hutterian Chronicle account, the group falls to their knees, aware of suffering ahead, and then baptize because “there was no appointed servants of the word”; what does this reveal about God’s willingness to work through “unappointed” believers, and how does that challenge modern assumptions about ordination, credentials, and who is “allowed” to act?

Another way to ask: What does it show about God that these believers baptized even without official leaders? How does that challenge our ideas about who needs credentials or permission to serve and act?

Direct Answer Based on the transcript’s narrative, God worked through ordinary believers who acted in faith when official structures would not obey scripture. This challenges the assumption that only formally credentialed leaders may carry out core Christian actions when the church’s obedience is at stake.

Support from Transcript:

The Hutterian Chronicle account says they prayed, knowing they would suffer, and then baptized, “since at that time there was no appointed servants of the word.”
The first request comes from Blauroch: he asked Grebel “to baptize him with true Christian baptism on his faith and recognition of the truth.”
The group’s action is framed as God-led rather than self-authorized: “Neither flesh and blood nor human wisdom compelled them.”
Their baptism is tied to discipleship and covenant, not institutional permission: faith “expressed in deeds of love,” then baptism, then steadfast holy living.
The civil authorities had shut down debate and “special schools,” leaving no official channel for reform—yet they still obeyed.

Discussion Follow-ups If obedience to Christ conflicts with institutional permission, what does the transcript imply should govern? How can churches honor order and training without making them an excuse for disobedience?

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Jumpstarter 6 of 10