Samuel Heinrich Fröhlich, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetSamuel Heinrich Fröhlich
Swiss evangelist (1803-1857)
Date of Birth: 04-Jul-1803
Place of Birth: Brugg, Aargau, Switzerland
Date of Death: 15-Jan-1857
Nationality: Switzerland
Zodiac Sign: Cancer 
About Samuel Heinrich Fröhlich
- Samuel Heinrich Froehlich (1803–1857) was an evangelist responsible for organizing the Evangelical Baptist Church in Western Europe, which eventually spread to become known as the Nazarenes of Eastern Europe and the Apostolic Christian Church in the United States of America, Mexico,Argentina & Canada.
- Froehlich, a young seminary student in Switzerland, experienced a dramatic conversion, causing him to come into conflict with the state-church.
- He was excommunicated in the aftermath of his refusal to submit to an order that required the Heidelberg Catechism to be replaced by a new rationalistic catechism.
- He had sympathies with the Mennonite faith, but soon became convinced they were in a lukewarm state.
- Some of the Reformed and Mennonite persuasions followed Froehlich and were soon known as "Neu-Taufer".
- They later adopted the official name of Evangelical Baptist Church. During this time he became affiliated with Baptist, Mennonite and Anabaptist workers.
- He was re-baptized in February, 1832, as an adult.
- Through preaching in private meetings, new churches were planted.
- The work continued and in thirty-five years an estimated 110 congregations were established. Froehlich was deeply influenced by the Anabaptists (who were known as the radical reformers in sixteenth century Europe).
- He embraced the following Anabaptist teachings: Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone is the sole rule of faith and practical living. Separation of Church and State Believers' Baptism - adult baptism as opposed to infant baptism. Holiness of Life Nonviolence - Opposed killing another human, even in self-defenseFroehlich sent Benedict Weyeneth (1819–1887) to America at the request of Joseph Virkler, thus encouraging the foundation of the denomination in the United States.
- The church spread as Nazarénusok (Nazarener-Gemeinde) in Hungary through the work of a young locksmith Lajos Hencsey (1814–1844) and 1,000 members survive today in Romania.
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