Born in Brugg, Canton of Aargau, to a family of French Calvinist Huguenot descent, Fröhlich was raised with a strong religious foundation.
Samuel Heinrich Fröhlich was born on July 4, 1803, in Brugg, Canton of Aargau, Switzerland, to a family of devout French Calvinist Huguenot descent.
[3][4] Religion was central to Fröhlich's upbringing, and his parents guided him toward a life in ministry, a path he accepted without question, viewing it as a profession to be learned.
[1] Fröhlich, influenced by the rationalist theology of his Zürich and Basel mentors, rejected his parents' beliefs in what he considered superstitions such as “Hell” and “the Devil.”[1] He found his studies mechanical and uninspired, likening them to preparation for a professional trade rather than a calling.
Initially resistant to their emphasis on self-knowledge and repentance, Fröhlich experienced a profound conversion, marked by a conviction to change his life.
[5] Fröhlich moved away from rationalist and liberal theological perspectives, adopting a gospel that emphasized repentance, the New Birth, faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and a life of godliness, which aligned with the German and French Awakening movements.
[1] In September 1830, Fröhlich was dismissed from his ministry and prohibited from preaching or performing sacraments due to his refusal to accept the newly established rationalist confession of faith that replaced the traditional Heidelberg Catechism.
This separation principle also influenced his approach to church organization and governance, favoring independent congregations over state-sanctioned religious institutions.
Frohlich critiqued supporters of infant baptism for misunderstanding its role, asserting that it should be a conscious act of faith rather than a ritual performed on those unable to make a personal decision.
Despite this, the commitment to nonresistance and pacifism remains a fundamental aspect of Fröhlich's legacy, continuing to shape Nazarene beliefs and practices.
His doctrine suggests that being part of God's Kingdom requires complete separation from the world's corrupt systems, often represented metaphorically as "Babylon" or the "State Church.
"[14] Fröhlich's theology was radical in its implications for Christian living, insisting on a complete transformation of the believer through the power of the Holy Spirit, which he linked closely with the rite of baptism.
[14] Fröhlich's doctrine of God also highlighted the importance of enduring persecution and suffering as part of the Christian experience, reflecting a strong martyr identity within his movement.
After being influenced by the revival movement in the early 1820s, particularly the Moravian Brethren and the writings of François Fénelon, Fröhlich became increasingly disillusioned with the state church.
This movement focused on the principles of believer's baptism, a rigorous moral code, and the rejection of state church practices, which Fröhlich saw as "antichristian.
[11] The Neutäufer movement, under Fröhlich's leadership, emphasized spiritual renewal and strict adherence to biblical teachings, often in opposition to the established church.
Fröhlich's efforts to create a distinct and devout community led to both his expulsion from various regions and the eventual growth of the movement across Europe and North America.
For example, when they moved to Brugg, Fröhlich's hometown, the local church refused to grant Susette citizenship, making their marriage appear illegitimate.
[2][11] His work synthesized evangelical renewalist impulses with traditional Anabaptist convictions, emphasizing personal conversion, believer's baptism, and a strict moral code.
Fröhlich's movement grew significantly during the 19th century, spreading across Europe and to the United States, where it influenced the formation of numerous congregations.
[15] Despite facing internal tensions and fragmentation, the principles Fröhlich established—such as non-resistance, separation from the world, and a strong community focus—remain central to the identity of the Apostolic Christian Church.