Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Reformation Day?

Reformation Day is recognized by Christians of many denominations. Unfortunately, I think that many Christians are unaware of Reformation Day or of the Protestant Reformation which it honors.

Many Christians today do not know that on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther condemned the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church by posting his “95 Theses” on the door of the Wittenberg Church.

At this time the Roman Catholic Church taught that salvation was through the sacraments, good works, and indulgences. (An indulgence was forgiveness that could be bought from the Church.) The Scriptural truth that salvation was only by faith in Jesus Christ, was ignored in the interests of power and money.

Before the Reformation, common people were not even allowed to read or interpret the Bible. At this time, the Bible was only in Greek and Latin and priests were the only people allowed to read or translate the Word of God.

In his “95 Theses” Martin Luther condemned the false teachings of the church and called for repentance, asserted salvation by grace, and pointed to the authority of Scripture. This one act began the Protestant Reformation.

Today, thank God for men in our church history like Martin Luther, who followed God’s leading and were able to guide people away from the corrupt traditions of the Roman Catholic Church and to the truths of God’s Word.


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