Christian Cyclopedia

(Heavenly Prophets; Bilderstürmer). Name given to group of radical Anabaptists from Zwickaa, Ger., led by Nikolaus Storch (weaver; claimed prophetic power; d. 1525). Stressed rigid conformity to NT injunctions, separation of believer from unbelieving marriage partner; rejected infant baptism, use of oaths, use of civil power, military service; some were iconoclastic. Storch and others came to Wittenberg, December 1521, influenced Karlstadt* and even Melanchthon* for a time, causing Luther to return to Wittenberg from the Wartburg, March 1522. See also Luther, M., 15: Hausmann, Nicolaus; Luther, Controversies of, d.