1. Jakob Ammann was a Swiss Anabaptist leader and the namesake of the Amish religious movement.
18 Facts About Jakob Ammann
1. 2.
The full facts about the personal life of Jacob Ammann are incomplete and have been mostly speculative until recent decades.
3.
On 37 official documents signed by him, only his initials appear, with most of them having a nearby note that Jakob Ammann was not able to write so he only "made his mark".
4.
Jakob Ammann did better financially than the average person of his time.
5.
Jakob Ammann was married to Verena Studler, but very little is known of her beyond her name.
6.
Jakob Ammann's brother Ulli, 18 years his junior, was an Anabaptist and is known for his moderating tone in the attempts at reconciliation between the Amish and Reist sides.
7.
Jakob Ammann probably went to live with friends or relatives somewhere in Lower Alsace.
8.
The date and place of Jakob Ammann's death are unknown, but in 1730 his daughter requested baptism in the Reformed Church in Erlenbach and stated that her father had died.
9.
From Jakob Ammann's letters, it can be learned that he was a firm disciplinarian, uncompromising in what he believed, and expected others to "conform to the teachings of Christ and His apostles".
10.
Jakob Ammann was willing to disregard longstanding customs and practices if they were not founded on God's Word.
11.
Jakob Ammann denied that he was trying to start a "new faith".
12.
Jakob Ammann believed in a new birth experience that would radically change a person.
13.
Jakob Ammann is known because of his prominent involvement in a schism among the Swiss Brethren that began in 1693.
14.
Those siding with Jakob Ammann felt that these "good-hearted" people should not be looked upon and consoled as "saved" unless they took up the cross and followed Christ in rebaptism and obedience to his teachings.
15.
At this point, Jakob Ammann became irritated and then proceeded to announce that Hans Reist was excommunicated on six points.
16.
When Jakob Ammann questioned some of the other Swiss ministers at the meeting where they stood on the issues, they pleaded for time to consult with their congregations.
17.
Jakob Ammann saw this as a turning back, since some of them had previously expressed agreement with his side.
18.
Jakob Ammann then proceeded to announce the excommunication of six of the present ministers.