Did this man have to die?

This past week (January 5) was the anniversary, noted in Wikipedia's "On this Day", of the death of Felix Manz. I think it is appropriate that most Christians who enjoy the things he died for do not know who he was. His name is written where it really counts. At the same time, we can be strengthened and encouraged by knowing about key people. I have been encouraged in recent years, for example, by re-reading about Hudson Taylor, 50 years after being introduced to "Spiritual Secret"

Manz, along with a few friends, was a pioneer in standing for separation of church and state, baptism of believers (in contrast to Martin Luther and John Calvin). He actually was baptized 3 times, first as an infant, then as a believer, and finally as a martyr in Lake Zurich. Killed by Protestants because he practiced believers' baptism. As part of his defense he said that he wished "to bring together those who were willing to accept Christ, obey the Word, and follow in His footsteps, to unite with these by baptism." Pretty serious offence huh? Definitely worthy of capital punishment.