Protestant Reformation in The Netherlands and Scandanavia: Luther inspired a man who witnessed a beheading by the church.

The Great Controversy ^ | 1911 | Ellen White

[vespa300]

The teachings of Luther found a congenial soil in the Netherlands, and earnest and faithful men arose to preach the gospel. From one of the provinces of Holland came Menno Simons. Educated a Roman Catholic and ordained to the priesthood, he was wholly ignorant of the Bible, and he would not read it for fear of being beguiled into heresy. When a doubt concerning the doctrine of transubstantiation forced itself upon him, he regarded it as a temptation from Satan, and by prayer and confession sought to free himself from it; but in vain. By mingling in scenes of dissipation he endeavored to silence the accusing voice of conscience; but without avail. After a time he was led to the study of the New Testament, and this, with Luther's writings, caused him to accept the reformed faith. He soon after witnessed in a neighboring village the beheading of a man who was put to death for having been rebaptized. This led him to study the Bible in regard to infant baptism. He could find no evidence for it in the Scriptures, but saw that repentance and faith are everywhere required as the condition of receiving baptism.

[vespa300]

Menno withdrew from the Roman Church and devoted his life to teaching the truths which he had received. In both Germany and the Netherlands a class of fanatics had risen, advocating absurd and seditious doctrines, outraging order and decency, and proceeding to violence and insurrection. Menno saw the horrible results to which these movements would inevitably lead, and he strenuously opposed the erroneous teachings and wild schemes of the fanatics. There were many, however, who had been misled by these fanatics, but who had renounced their pernicious doctrines; and there were still remaining many descendants of the ancient Christians, the fruits of the Waldensian teaching. Among these classes Menno labored with great zeal and success.

[vespa300]

For twenty-five years he traveled, with his wife and children, enduring great hardships and privations, and frequently in peril of his life. He traversed the Netherlands and northern Germany, laboring chiefly among the humbler classes but exerting a widespread influence. Naturally eloquent, though possessing a limited education, he was a man of unwavering integrity, of humble spirit and gentle manners, and of sincere and earnest piety, exemplifying in his own life the precepts which he taught, and he commanded the confidence of the people. His followers were scattered and oppressed. They suffered greatly from being confounded with the fanatical Munsterites. Yet great numbers were converted under his labors.

[vespa300]

Nowhere were the reformed doctrines more generally received than in the Netherlands. In few countries did their adherents endure more terrible persecution. In Germany Charles V had banned the Reformation, and he would gladly have brought all its adherents to the stake; but the princes stood up as a barrier against his tyranny. In the Netherlands his power was greater, and persecuting edicts followed each other in quick succession. To read the Bible, to hear or preach it, or even to speak concerning it, was to incur the penalty of death by the stake. To pray to God in secret, to refrain from bowing to an image, or to sing a psalm, was also punishable with death. Even those who should abjure their errors were condemned, if men, to die by the sword; if women, to be buried alive. Thousands perished under the reign of Charles and of Philip II.

[stanne]

“ordained to the priesthood, he was wholly ignorant of the Bible”

This is not possible.

[vespa300]

______Even those who should abjure their errors were condemned, if men, to die by the sword; if women, to be buried alive. Thousands perished under the reign of Charles and of Philip II.______

Joined with the state, the church of the dark ages, this religious superpower that ruled for 1260 years, she decided that men would die by the sword, women burned alive.

She murdered millions. And nobody talks about it anymore. As if God has forgotten. And her wound has healed. The world is marveling after her again just as prophecy said it would. And there is coming a time, in a time of greatest tribulation the world has ever seen , men’s hearts failing them from FEAR.....the world will turn to her again.

Her influence is gaining worldwide. Among leaders, politicians, legislative halls, behind the scenes, and publicly.....celebrities, media elites, rich and poor alike.

Just as scripture predicted.

[vespa300]

____“ordained to the priesthood, he was wholly ignorant of the Bible”___

___This is not possible.___

To believe in infant baptism and transubstantiation, it can only be possible. Not to mention every other false doctrine.

It is “tradition” and church fathers that count most. That’s why they rarely quote the Bible. They quote church fathers more than the Bible when it comes to doctrine.

[vespa300]

This is from Wikipedia. Just another source on Menno Simons. (She wrote about him over 100 years ago, Wikipedia writes about him today)

Quote:

Simons learned Latin and some Greek, and he was taught about the Latin Church Fathers during his training to become a priest.[3] He had never read the Bible, either before or during his training for the priesthood, out of fear that he would be adversely influenced by it. When he later reflected upon this period in his life, he called himself stupid.[

[sauropod]

.

[vespa300]

Justice is coming. It will not sleep.

Revelation 6 verses 9 and on:

9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

And it is Jesus himself who will finally destroy this superreligious power who thinks she is God. In Daniel 2, that is a “rock” that is aimed at the very feet of the metal man.

Feet of “IRON and CLAY”......and we know what power Iron is prophecy. And Iron is still around at the end of time.......and a “ROCK.....”without human hands” finally destroys this haughty power. Smashes it to pieces.

Never tamper with God’s holy things and or wage war against his people. You may win here.....you lose in the end. Big time.

[Wilderness Conservative]

Gimme that old time religion.

[vespa300]

____Gimme that old time religion.___

Amen brother. To read about the atrocities committed by a church that ruled for over 1000 years and what she did to people and how these people, millions did not back down. They went to the flames, the rack, the sword and were willing to die for the reformed faith.

It’s inspirinng to read. I read in Foxes Book of martyrs last night where a woman born blind from birth.....a blind woman......she protested the church and they even had her martyrd. Killed her.

All in the name of God. No different than ISIS. They burned women alive, men by the sword..and they did it in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Justice will not sleep. We will meet these people on the other side and they will tell us their story. God has a special reward for them.....and the worse possible justice for those who did this......for over 1000 years.

That is why it is called....”The Dark Ages.” But it was her noonday.

[BipolarBob]

I predict some angry responses. Happy Sabbath to you.

[CatHerd]

The Waldensians weren’t ancient Christians. That sect was founded by a wealthy merchant in Lyons in the 12th century.

Really, your Ellen White and Catholic bashing are getting old. You know what Ellen White makes me think of? The final passages of C. S. Lewis’ “Screwtape Proposes a Toast”.

I doubt you’ve ever read Lewis, so a short introduction. Screwtape is the fictional senior devil of “The Screwtape Letters”. In this sequel, he gives an after dinner speech at The Tempters Training College for young devils.

Here you go:

---

But now for the pleasantest part of my duty. It falls to my lot to propose on behalf of the guests the health of Principal Slubgob and the Tempters’ Training College. Fill your glasses. What is this I see? What is this delicious bouquet I inhale? Can it be? Mr. Principal, I unsay all my hard words about the dinner. I see, and smell, that even under wartime conditions the College cellar still has a few dozen of sound old vintage Well, well, well. This is like old times. Hold it beneath your noses for a moment, gentledevils. Hold it up to the light. Look at those fiery streaks that writhe and tangle in its dark heart, as if they were contending. And so they are. You know how this wine is blended? Different types of Pharisee have been harvested, trodden, and fermented together to produce its subtle flavour. Types that were most antagonistic to one another on Earth. Some were all rules and relics and rosaries; others were all drab clothes, long faces, and petty traditional abstinences from wine or cards or the theatre. Both had in common their self-righteousness and an almost infinite distance between their actual outlook and anything the Enemy really is or commands. The wickedness of other religions was the really live doctrine in the religion of each; slander was its gospel and denigration its litany. How they hated each other up where the sun shone! How much more they hate each other now that they are forever conjoined but not reconciled. Their astonishment, their resentment, at the combination, the festering of their eternally impenitent spite, passing into our spiritual digestion, will work like fire. Dark fire. All said and done, my friends, it will be an ill day for us if what most humans mean by “Religion” ever vanishes from the Earth. It can still send us the truly delicious sins. Nowhere do we tempt so successfully as on the very steps of the altar.

Your Imminence, your Disgraces, my Thorns, Shadies, and Gentledevils: I give you the toast of – Principal Slubgob and the College!

---

“The wickedness of other religions was the really live doctrine in the religion of each;” Sounds like Ellen White.

[fidelis]

It is “tradition” and church fathers that count most. That’s why they rarely quote the Bible. They quote church fathers more than the Bible when it comes to doctrine.

Seriously? On your last thread you couldn't even defend your error of "faith alone" from Scripture, or any other way for that matter. I provided a bunch of Scripture citations refuting that nonsense and your reply was SILENCE. You are a fraud that can only justify his false religion by attacking the religion of others with the ravings of a false prophet.

[Big Red Badger]

Foxes Book ....
.
I’ve Gone through it several times and given it to Friends.
A Forgotton history not so easily Dismissed.
.
Who would Die for a Lie?

[fidelis]

Excellent.

[fidelis]

This is from Wikipedia..

Wikipedia. Yeah, that's a great source for reliable religious information. 🙄

[vespa300]

I just gave it to a friend for his birthday. He is simply shocked.

If everyone was informed about what she did during her noonday, for over 1000 years, they would easily see how she fits prophecy. The timelines, the blashphemy, the persecution, the titles, the claims....even her very colors.

And they would be awakened to what is coming. Her wound has healed.

[vespa300]

_____This is from Wikipedia..
Wikipedia. Yeah, that’s a great source for reliable religious information._____

Well, i wouldnt bank on Wikipedia but it is interesting that we read in Wikipedia the same words written over 100 years ago by a totally different source. That this roman catholic priest was Biblically ignorant.

[ealgeone]

Seriously? On your last thread you couldn't even defend your error of "faith alone" from Scripture, or any other way for that matter. I provided a bunch of Scripture citations refuting that nonsense and your reply was SILENCE. You are a fraud that can only justify his false religion by attacking the religion of others with the ravings of a false prophet.

This is comical....you aren't even willing to try and defend what you believe.

You got all triggered and started tossing out personal insults.

Just take your ball and go play in the caucus threads.