Zwinglianism

Zwinglianism was a branch of the Protestant Reformation initiated by Huldrych Zwingli in Switzerland. Zwingli, a key reformer, emphasized the supreme authority of Scripture and applied it rigorously to all doctrines and practices.1

A significant point of divergence between Zwingli and Martin Luther was their understanding of the Lord's Supper. Zwingli viewed it as a memorial of Christ's death and a public declaration of faith, denying Christ's physical presence in the bread and wine. This disagreement, particularly on the Eucharist, prevented a unified Protestant front at the Colloquy of Marburg in 1529.23

Zwingli's reforms in Zurich included the removal of images and organs from churches and the replacement of the mass with a simple Communion service. He also retained infant baptism, viewing it as a sign of belonging to the people of God, analogous to circumcision in Judaism. Zwingli's teachings influenced the development of Reformed churches and the broader Protestant tradition.12