In the 1100s, Peter Waldo of France, a wealthy man, was deeply affected by Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:21: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”
Waldo gave away his wealth and began preaching poverty and simplicity as the way to follow Christ.
The wealthy and corrupt church of that day excommunicated him. Waldo attracted followers who organized themselves into a church with its own ministers. Attempting to go “back to the Bible,” they rejected such nonbiblical teachings as purgatory, transubstantiation, and prayers for the dead.
Calling themselves the “Poor in Spirit” (after Matt. 5:3), they promoted high moral standards, and the movement—also known as the Waldensians—spread throughout Europe.
The pope ordered a crusade against them, but they took refuge in remote places in Switzerland. Three hundred years later, they happily joined the Protestants.
