Most modern Mennonites are the descendants of Teutonic tribes of what is now Switzerland, Holland and Germany who lived in heathen darkness until they came in contact with the Gospel early in the Middle Ages. They were Swiss, Dutch, and German people who were evangelized after a fashion by Roman Catholic missionaries in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and who until the time of the Reformation in the sixteenth century continued in the faith and worship of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Mennonite faith had it's origin in Switzerland in Reformation times. Certain followers of Ulrich Zwingli were unable to accept the compromises which he and Martin Luther had made in setting up a Protestant state church system. They and many others like them in western Europe had been expecting a complete reformation of the church, and a restoration that was faithful to New Testament teaching. They wanted the church to be composed of believers only, men and woman who had had a genuine conversion experience and who had committed their lives in unreserved obedience to the Word of Life. They wanted no half-Christian profession following the customs and traditions of the time, and maintaining an outward form of reverence but denying it's power. It was these people who continued in the Reformation which Luther and Zwingli began. They were the founders of the Mennonite fellowship.

It must be kept in mind of course that the founders of the Mennonite brotherhood in Switzerland did not adopt the name "Mennonite" for the new fellowship which they established. This name was given to it much later. In fact, even today the Mennonites of Switzerland do not have it as their official name. The name "Mennonite" was given to the branch of the church which was established in Holland, in which Menno Simons became the leader after the year 1536. It was only later that the name "Mennonite" was carried over from Holland into Germany and into Switzerland, and finally into America. The first name of the church in Switzerland was simply "Brethren." These Brethren had no other name. Since there were Brethren in various places in Europe in the course of the following years, it soon became the custom to refer to the ones who first founded the church in Switzerland as the Swiss Brethren.

The birthplace of the Mennonite Church is to be found in the city of Zurich, Switzerland, in the year 1525. The City Council of Zurich had decided to suppress the small company of people in Zurich under the leadership of Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, and George Blaurock, who had refused to have their children baptized and who insisted that a thoroughgoing reformation take place in accordance with Zwingli's original promise. Before taking radical measures, however, the City Council had decided to give the Brethren a chance to defend themselves in public in a debate in which Zwingli and his friends were to refute the arguments against infant baptism. As soon as the debate was over, the City Council issued strict decrees forbidding the Brethren to meet, to teach, and to have fellowship together. January 21, 1525 is also considered to be the birth date of the Anabaptist movement, the term Anabaptist referring to the "re-baptizing" of adult believers. Because of their radical views on baptism and the nature of the church, the Brethren were perceived as a threat to the leading reformers and began to be violently persecuted.

It is a fact recognized by many historians that the persecution of the Anabaptists surpassed in severity the persecution of the early Christians by pagan Rome. Persecution began in Zurich soon after the Brethren had organized a congregation. Imprisonment of varying severity, sometimes in dark dungeons, was followed by executions. Felix Manz was the first martyr to die in Zurich and George Blaurock soon after. Anabaptism was made a capital crime. Prices were set on the heads of Anabaptists. In Roman Catholic states even those who recanted were often executed. In Catholic countries the Anabaptists, as a rule, were executed by burning at the stake; in Lutheran and Zwinglian states by beheading or drowning. In Germany, when all efforts to halt the movement proved in vain, the authorities resorted to desperate measures. Armed executioners and mounted soldiers were sent in companies through the land to hunt down Anabaptists and kill them on the spot without trial or sentence. Thousands sealed their faith with their blood. It was comparatively easy for catchpoles to ascertain who was and who was not an Anabaptist. They simply put the question to suspected persons. A true Anabaptist would disdain saving his life and burdening his conscience by telling an untruth and denying his faith.

Among the churches that grew out of the Anabaptist movement are the Mennonites, Hutterites, Baptists, Quakers and Dunkards. The story of the early Mennonite movement is largely the story of Menno Simons. Menno, although a price was placed upon his head, traveled and labored unceasingly throughout Holland and northern Germany. He was particularly influential through his writings, a total of twenty-four titles being published from the year 1539 to 1561 under his name. Several of these were extensive books. One of them, entitled The Foundation, became very popular and was a powerful force in spreading the faith of the Mennonite Church. Menno was a good leader, and was looked up to by his brethren as the father of the church until his death at his home in Wuestenfelde near Lubeck in 1561. The strongest growth of the Mennonite movement was in northwestern Holland in the province of Friesland, where very early a large portion of the population were converted and baptized into the Mennonite Church. However, strong churches were also established around Amsterdam, Haarlam, and Rotterdam, and on down into the territory of Flanders. From 1540 to 1570 the Mennonite movement was the strongest Protestant movement in the whole Low Countries. It was not until later that the Calvinist movement outdistanced it.

One of the curiosities as well as a distinction of our Anabaptist-Mennonite past is in regards to the teaching about a truly converted life. Menno Simons, and Anabaptists generally, did not accept Martin Luther's doctrine of justification by faith alone. They saw that doctrine as an impediment to the true doctrine of a "living" faith which results in works, and detected a tendency toward antinomianism in the Reformed doctrine of justification by faith. Even now, critics of Anabaptists and Menno Simons point to this distinction with suspicion, suggesting that it leaves people to devise a righteousness of their own based on Law. Nevertheless, Menno Simons did believe that works do justify and were proof of a truly converted life. This heritage has remained with modern Mennonites who are ever ready to demonstrate their faith in action.

The issue of tribal identity for the Mennonite people is something you should consider very seriously. Whether or not you agree will have profound consequences.

There are two main internationally recognized scholars that have done extensive research on the whereabouts of the "ten lost tribes of Israel". One is Steven Collins, an American based author. About a year ago I asked Mr. Collins if the Mennonite people could be identified with the tribe of Gad (pronounced "gaud"). Mr. Collins responded briefly:

"Re: a Mennonite-Gad connection, I can only offer the following general observation. Since the Mennonites originated in Germany and since my book identifies much of Germany as the tribe of Gad, it would only be logical that many German Mennonites were Gadites. BTW, my paternal grandparents were raised as Mennonites in Pennsylvania."

A few weeks ago I asked Steve if he could elaborate with a few paragraphs for my email readers. He responded with:

"Possible Israelite Tribal origins of Mennonites"

It is my view that most Mennonites are of an Israelite tribal origin. While I could not comment on the specific tribal origins of individual families, I think the following explanation is likely to afford general guidance.

Most Mennonite families of Germanic origin are likely members of two Israelite tribes: Manasseh and Gad. My book, The "Lost" Ten Tribes of Israel...Found!, utilizes biblical and secular evidence to identify modern Germany as the tribe of Gad. However, it would be an oversimplification to identify all Mennonites of German origin as Gadites. An explanation requires a brief historical overview. The tribe of Manasseh was split into two halves in the ancient Kingdom of Israel, and each half went into exile from the Promised Land at different times and in different directions. The Manassehites dwelling east of the Jordan River (along with the tribe of Gad) went into an Assyrian captivity about two decades prior to the fall of Samaria and the rest of the kingdom of Israel. This half of Manasseh went further eastward into Asia and took a later migrational path into Europe, settling in Germany. The Manassehites who lived west of the Jordan River in ancient times mostly went northward into the Black Sea region, remaining independent as "Sacae" Scythians, and migrated through Europe toward the British Isles (as Saxons). The Gadites and the Manassehites whose forebears had been Assyrian captives resided in Germany before the founding of the United States of America. When the USA was founded, I believe God drew Manassehites from the British Isles and Germany to the New World. Manassehites like "wide open spaces" (note that their ancient allotment in the Promised Land was far bigger than the other tribes) and settling in the early United States afforded them the opportunity to have as much of their own land as they desired.

The English and German settlers in early America were from the respective halves of the tribe of Manasseh, making for a smooth merging of their people in the new USA. Mennonites who migrated to America from Germany in the early portion of America's history are highly likely to be from the tribe of Manasseh, as would be their modern descendants. Mennonites who arrived from Germany in more recent periods of American history would likely include higher numbers of Gadites. For a full examination of this issue, I suggest obtaining copies of my above-named book or my new 4-book series on the history of the tribes of Israel."

The other author with equal credibility is Yair Davidiy, an Orthodox Jewish man who resides in Israel. The writings of these two scholars are in substantial agreement. Both rely on a vast body of historical evidence and the numerous scholars who have come before them over many centuries. Most convincing, however, is the evidence both men find in the Scriptures. That proof is overwhelming. Yair Davidiy writes:

"The Bible says that most of the ancient Israelites were to be lost (Isaiah 24:3, 49:21 Hosea 1:9. Jeremiah 3:6-7) and forget their identity. Towards the End Times they were to return and re-unite with Judah (Isaiah 11:12-13 Ezekiel 37) . There will be no complete Redemption for Judah without the return of the Ten Tribes (Ezekiel 16:53.55.61). Judah will be obligated to go unto the Ten Tribes and bring them back (Jeremiah 3:18 31:8). The Ten Tribes are also called upon to seek their God and their ancestry and affirm it as part of the process of returning (Jeremiah 31:9-10, 21). Proof is important and spreading knowledge of the proof is almost as important as the proof itself."

Fellow Mennonites, the importance of coming to terms with your identity as Israelites, very likely from the tribes of Manasseh and Gad, cannot be overemphasized. Believing in what the Scriptures say will determine how (not if) you will enter into the kingdom of heaven. Nothing less. You can obtain a copy of The "Lost" Ten tribes of Israel...Found! for US$25 including shipping by writing to Steven M. Collins, PO Box 88735, Sioux Falls, SD 57109-1005 . Jis books can be ordered from this website www.twohouses.org . For the works of Yair Davidiy please go to the website www.britam.org. I encourage you to do so.