Dear brethren and sisters in the Lord: These are the articles of certain brethren who had heretofore been in error and who had failed to agree in the true understanding, so that many weaker consciences were perplexed, causing the Name of God to be greatly slandered. Therefore there has been a great need for us to become of one mind in the Lord, which has come to pass. To God be the praise and glory!
Now since you have so well understood the will of God which has been made known by us, it will be necessary for you to achieve perseveringly, without interruption, the known will of God. For you know well what the servant who sinned knowingly heard as his recompense.
Everything which you have unwittingly done and confessed as evil doing is forgiven you through the believing prayer which is offered by us in our meeting for all our shortcomings and guilt. This state is yours [through] the gracious forgiveness of God and through the blood of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Keep watch on all who do not walk according to the simplicity of the divine truth which is stated in this letter from the decisions of our meeting, so that everyone among us will be governed by the rule of the ban and henceforth the entry of false brethren and sisters among us may be prevented.
Eliminate from you that which is evil and the Lord will be your God and you will be His sons and daughters.
Dear Brethren, keep in mind what Paul admonishes Timothy when he says, ‘The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people of His own, zealous of good works.’ Think on this and exercise yourselves therein and the God of peace will be with you.
May the Name of God be hallowed eternally and highly praised, Amen. May the Lord give you His peace, Amen.
The Acts of Schlaten am Randen on Matthias’ Day, Anno MDXXVII.
Source of original German text: The Schleitheim Articles (1527), Museum Schleitheim.
Source of English translation: Anabaptist Beginnings: A Source Book, edited by William R. Estep Jr. B. De Graaf: Nieuwkoop, 1976, pp. 100-05.
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