Their is a lot of rich heavenly zeal that can be observed in all of God's children throughout the ages. Despite their lack of perfect theology, God's church has always been perfected in love. I look forward to listening to this series. But, I would caution the listener to be aware of some of the errors of the Anabaptist. It is very dangerous to make the doctrine of justification and sanctification the same thing.
You can read more on this in these articles:
[url=http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/anabapt.htm]The Anabaptists[/url] from Spurgeon.org
[url=http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/19-zwingli-and-anabaptists/]Zwingli and Anabaptists[/url] by Sam Storms
[url=http://www.reformed.org/sacramentology/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/sacramentology/lee/index.html]The Anabaptists and their Stepchildren[/url] (history book) by F.N. Lee
I will say Again, It is a very serious error to make the doctrine of Sanctification and Justification the same thing, and I would caution everyone to beware of this error of Anabaptists. It's not something easy to spot out because often it is taught very subtly by them.
Thomas Watson said this,
"THEY ARE NEVER SEPARATED!
(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")
"You were sanctified, you were justified."
1 Corinthians 6:11
Justification and sanctification are not the same.
Justification is without us—sanctification is within us.
The one is by righteousness imputed—the other is by
righteousness imparted. Justification is once and for
all—sanctification is gradual. One person is sanctified
more than another—but one cannot be more justified
than another. One has more grace than another—but
he is not more justified than another.
The matter of our justification is perfect, namely,
Christ's righteousness; but our sanctification is
imperfect, there are the spots of God's children. Our
graces are mixed with sin, our duties are defiled.
Thus justification and sanctification are not the same.
Yet, for all that, they are never separated. God never
pardons and justifies a sinner—but He also sanctifies him.
"This is He who came by water and blood, even Jesus
Christ." 1 John 5:6. Christ comes to the soul by blood,
which denotes remission of sin; and by water, which
denotes sanctification. Let no man say he is pardoned,
who is not made holy! This I urge against those who
talk of their sin being forgiven, and having a part in
Christ—and yet remain unconverted, and live in the
grossest sins!
Where God pardons, He purifies. Whoever God forgives,
He transforms. Let no man say his sins are forgiven—who
does not find an inherent work of holiness in his heart.
"I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow
My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances."
Ezekiel 36:27"
Charles Spurgeon said this,
"THE WAY OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS!
The following is from Spurgeon's sermon,
"The Old Way of the Wicked" Job 22:15-17.
The unsaved talk of their merits, prayers, and
tears. They will, if they can, find something of
their own in which to trust. They wrap their
miserable rags about them, and claim that
they are well clad. Being fascinated by self
deceit, they imagine that they are rich and
increased in goods when they are naked,
and poor, and miserable. They will not lie
at the feet of Jesus, and receive salvation
as a gift of mercy, pure mercy!
The way of self-righteousness is trodden
by tens of thousands of men. Ah, your church
goings and your chapel goings, your goings to
the sacrament, your baptism, your confirmation,
your ceremonies of all sorts and kinds, your gifts
to the poor, your contributions to charities, your
amiable speeches, your repetitions of your
liturgies, and your prayers; these are rested
on as the rock of your salvation.
Beware, I entreat you, for this is the way of
the Pharisee when he thanked God that he
was not as other men. It is the way of sinful
human nature which always goes about to
establish its own righteousness, and will not
submit itself to the righteousness of Christ.
As surely as the Pharisees were condemned
as a generation of vipers, and could not escape
the damnation of hell, so surely every one of us,
if we set up our righteousness in the place of
Christ's righteousness, will meet with condemnation,
and will be overthrown by God's sudden wrath!"
-Abraham
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