George Blaurock was born in Bonaduz, Switzerland, about 75 from Zurich, in 1491. We know he went to college and then became a priest. He traveled to Zurich in 1524. Somewhere before this he made a break with the Catholic church. He quickly joined Conrad Grebel and Felix Manz in following the reformer Ulrich Zwingli. It did not take long for these men to become unhappy with Zwingli’s rate of following what they clearly understood the Scripture to say. After their beliefs were denounced by Zwingli and the city council, Grebel, Manz, Blaurock, and their friends were ordered not to hold Bible studies together any more. They met and prayed for guidance. As they finished, Blaurock stood up and asked to be baptized. Grebel proceeded to do so, thus making Blaurock one of the first Anabaptist in Europe.
After this, Blaurock and Manz worked closely until January 1525 when Manz was martyred and Blaurock was beaten and thrown out of the city. From there he moved persistently, working in a place until he was banished, and then moving on. He was banished from four areas of Switzerland before he moved onto Austria in 1527. He became the pastor of a church in 1529 after its leader was martyred. In half a year he baptized many people and founded a number of churches. This work ended with his arrest, torture, and burning in September of 1529.
George Blaurock is remembered as a man of action. If he knew what was right, he tirelessly and forcefully pursued it with all his might. He jumped up and with conviction declared that he wanted to be baptized, no matter of the price. He was known to enter Reformed church services, call down the preacher, and begin to preach over him with his powerful voice. He was kicked out of at least five areas and endured torture for about a month before his death. He represents an unashamed voice of truth which stands as an example of commitment for modern Anabaptists living in America.
Primary Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Blaurock
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