# Jerome Kels, Michael Seifensieder, And Hans Oberacker, A. D. 1536.

[Previous page: PETER GERRITS, PETER JORIS, PETER LEYDECKER, AND JOHANNA MELS, A. D. 1536.](/en/stories/mm-peter-gerrits-peter-joris-peter-leydecker-and-johanna-mels-a-d-1536/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: GEORGE VASER, AND LEONHARD SAILER, A. D. 1536.](/en/stories/mm-george-vaser-and-leonhard-sailer-a-d-1536/)

In the beginning of the year 1536, Jerome Kels
of Kufestein, Michael Seifensieder of Wald in Bohemia,
and Hans Oberacker from Etschland were
dispatched to go into the Earldom of Tyrol. Acts
13:2. But when they arrived at Vienna, in Austria,
they were apprehended, having been betrayed
by the host with whom they had lodged. Acts 4:3;
5:26. While they were eating supper, the people
tried to ascertain their character by drinking to their
health; but when they perceived that they would
not respond, the host had some paper brought, and
wrote a letter in Latin, which, among other things,
read as follows: “Here are three persons who
appear to me to be Anabaptists.” But he did not
know that Brother Jerome understood Latin. Then
said Jerome to the other brethren, they would watch
together, let things go as the dear Lord should
please. Two hours afterwards the constables came
and brought them bound before the judge, and
when they had been examined they were put in
prison.

Eight days afterwards the judge had them
brought before him and his assessors, where they
were told to recant. Brother Jerome said that
they themselves should forsake their unbelief, and
not so falsely bear the name of God, or of Christ.
Thereupon the judge became highly incensed at
Jerome, and when the latter said they were no
Christians, the Judge said: “You are a desperately
wicked fellow.” And though he was asked this as
much as ten times, he constantly confessed as before.
The assessors then said: “This reprobate
fellow is not worthy that your wisdom should become
enraged at him.” They were then led back
into prison, and the judges were highly offended at
Jerome and his brethren. Alter another eight days
the judge again summoned all three before him,
taking to him three of the most wicked priests.
When these would speak with Jerome, contemned
our calling, reviled our faith, and said that they
were sent to instruct them regarding their error,
Jerome boldly and fearlessly said: “We are in the
right way; our calling is from God, and Christ has
taught us that we should not hear a stranger’s
voice.” John 10:5. He also said: “We are
willing to give an answer to every man, and to
show the ground of our hope; but with monks
and priests, who are sent by the pope, who is the
antichrist, we do not desire to speak; for they are
great rogues, whoremongers, perjurers, deceivers
and seducers, even as these.”

Thereupon the Judge said: “My good Jerome,
you do not yet know these good lords.” Jerome
said: “God is my Lord, but not they.” Matthew
11:25; Luke 10:21. He then, for almost two
hours and a quarter gave answer concerning the
mass, original sin, infant baptism, calling, and their
awful, idolatrous sacrament. Then followed many
entreaties that he should regard his dear life, wife
and child, and take to heart their sincere promise;
and that he should pray to God; they would also.
But he said that they had the truth and would
adhere to it, they might do what they pleased, and
as they could also not overcome the other brethren
with their poison, the judge remanded them to
prison, in which they sang comforting hymns
together, and rejoiced in God. And as they could
hear each other, they called to one another, comforting
and strengthening one another. They also
delivered their written confession of faith, with full
proof from the holy Scriptures, to the lords at
Vienna, and to the judge.

To the aforesaid brother Hans Oberacher the day
of the Lord appeared three times, as he informed
us from prison, and he saw unutterable things with
the eyes of the spirit, as also with his bodily eyes;
he saw the condition of the children of God, and
how great grace they received from God; on the
other hand, how mighty and terrible this day is for
the wicked; so that he prayed that God would
430
never let him incur this wrath, which is so great
and dreadful upon wickedness. Mal. 3:17; 4:1,2.

Many attempts having been made to prevail upon
these brethren, and they remaining steadfast in the
faith, as strong soldiers, and lovers of God, they
were condemned to death by the children of Pilate,
and burned to ashes, at Vienna, on the Friday preceding
Judica, in Lent of the aforesaid year.



## Original source

[Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_430)

[Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855)

[Previous page: PETER GERRITS, PETER JORIS, PETER LEYDECKER, AND JOHANNA MELS, A. D. 1536.](/en/stories/mm-peter-gerrits-peter-joris-peter-leydecker-and-johanna-mels-a-d-1536/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: GEORGE VASER, AND LEONHARD SAILER, A. D. 1536.](/en/stories/mm-george-vaser-and-leonhard-sailer-a-d-1536/)

---

Page: https://history.truechristian.church/en/stories/mm-jerome-kels-michael-seifensieder-and-hans-oberacker-a-d-1536/

[Contribute a correction or addition](https://github.com/trueChristian/history.truechristian.church/issues/new?title=Correction%3A+Jerome+Kels%2C+Michael+Seifensieder%2C+And+Hans+Oberacker%2C+A.+D.+1536.&body=%23%23+Page+or+topic%0AJerome+Kels%2C+Michael+Seifensieder%2C+And+Hans+Oberacker%2C+A.+D.+1536.%0A%0APage%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fhistory.truechristian.church%2Fen%2Fstories%2Fmm-jerome-kels-michael-seifensieder-and-hans-oberacker-a-d-1536%2F%0A%0ARecord%3A+mm-jerome-kels-michael-seifensieder-and-hans-oberacker-a-d-1536%0A%0ADate+currently+shown%3A+1536%0A%0A%23%23+Correction+or+addition%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Sources+and+evidence%0APlease+include+book%2Fpage+references%2C+archive+links%2C+or+first-hand+documentation.%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Image+credit+%28if+applicable%29%0ACreator%2C+source%2C+and+permission+or+public-domain+basis.%0A%0A%0A%0ASubmitted+for+review%3B+this+issue+does+not+publish+changes+automatically.)
