Amsdorf was the nephew of Johann von Staupitz and a close friend of Luther’s. He studied at Leipzig and Wittenberg before becoming a teacher at Wittenberg.

1516 – Amsdorf becomes one of Luther’s first "converts."
1519 – Accompanies Luther to the Leipzig debate against Eck
1521 – Accompanies Luther to the Diet of Worms. Helps Melanchthon lead the Reformation movement while Luther was away at Wartburg.
1524 – Amsdorf becomes pastor in Magdeburg, introducing Protestant teaching and battling the Roman Catholic Establishment as well as Sacramentarians, Zwinglian sympathizers and Anabaptists.