What principle did the Anabaptists strongly advocate for regarding baptism?

The Anabaptists strongly advocated for the principle that adult baptism is necessary for true faith. They believed that baptism should be a conscious decision made by an individual who has the capacity to understand and commit to the faith. This perspective arose from their interpretation of the New Testament, which emphasizes personal faith and a believer's understanding of their relationship with God.

The significance of adult baptism in Anabaptist theology is tied to the idea that faith is a personal and voluntary commitment. Infants, being incapable of making such a commitment, should not be baptized. This belief set the Anabaptists apart from many other Christian denominations at the time, which practiced infant baptism, equating it with initial entry into the faith community.

Understanding this principle also highlights the Anabaptists' emphasis on the church as a community of believers who consciously choose to follow Christ rather than a societal institution where individuals are baptized as infants without personal faith consideration. Thus, adult baptism symbolizes a mature, introspective act of faith and commitment to the teachings of Jesus.