And, sadly American Christians are embarrassed to mention the name of Christ when nothing will happen except perhaps a mean look or a lost friend.
"AFTER THE EXECUTIONER tied Michael Sattler to the stake, Michael prayed with slurred speech, “Almighty, eternal God, thou art the way and the truth; because I have not been shown to be in error, I will with thy help on this day testify to the truth and seal it with my blood.”
After the fire burned the ropes off his hands, he raised them and struggled to form the words: “Father, I commend my spirit into thy hands.”
On this day in 1527 Michael Sattler brought together a small group of Anabaptist leaders who wrote and adopted seven articles of faith which they called the “Brotherly Union.” They now had an organized church.
Because he left the Catholic priesthood to marry and to faithfully follow God, Michael was committed to the hangman, “...who shall take him to the Square and there first cut out his tongue, then chain him to a wagon, tear his body twice with hot tongs there and five times more before the gate, then burn his body to powder as an arch-heretic.”
Eight days after, his wife Margaretha would not recant her testimony, saying that she would forever remain true to her Lord and to her husband. She was then drowned in the Neckar River.
Thank God for these bold saints of the past who paved the way of Christ with their blood so we may be inspired to do the same."
—Adapted from The One Year Christian History.
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