What is a way to honour Reformation Day when on this day, October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic monk, nailed his 95 Thesis to the church door at Wittenberg? For most Protestant churches, they simply acknowledge what this day means historically and from a distance, theologically. However, few in our day would declare the Catholic Church heretical or even declare that the Pope is the antichrist as John Calvin did. Arminius himself viewed the Roman Catholic church as apostate. John Wesley viewed the Roman Catholic church not just as apostate and needing evangelism but he viewed the Catholic mass as antibiblical.
I believe the best way for the Church of Christ to celebrate Reformation Day is to once again renew our commitments to evangelism of the lost. So many Catholics need Christ! So many Protestants need Christ! We live in a world that needs the gospel and now more than ever we should commit ourselves to making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). On October 31, 1517 Luther launched the Protestant reformation that would soon bring about the complete transformation of Europe. The beloved doctrines of justification by faith and the inerrancy and authority of the Bible will bring about revival all across the continent that will lead to the New World. From the United States would come the greatest missionary force in the history of the true Church as true disciples will abandon all to take the gospel to all parts of the world to the glory of Christ.
It is also a reminder that we must teach against the heresies of the Roman Catholic Church. From Mass to the Virgin Mary to the authority of the Pope, we must reject Catholic doctrines and we must teach Catholics the truth about salvation, that we are saved by faith in Christ alone and not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7). We must proclaim that our submission is to be to Jesus Christ alone (Luke 6:46-49; Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 2:3-6). Our righteousness comes not by indulgences or by works but by faith in Christ and His atonement (Romans 3:21-26; 4:5; 5:1-11; Philippians 3:8-11). We must proclaim that salvation comes in Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 9:5; 1 Timothy 2:1-6). Salvation is not found in the Catholic church or the Lutheran church or in the Restoration movement but salvation is found in Christ alone (1 Corinthians 1:11-17). The cross alone provides for our salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18) and our faith should be in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
So on this Reformation Day we can honour Martin Luther by declaring the gospel truth that salvation is found in one place and one place alone, the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13). We can honour Luther by declaring that righteousness is not found in good works or self-righteousness but by faith in Jesus alone (Romans 1:16-17). Jesus alone can save sinners and He alone is worthy of worship and praise (Revelation 5:9-10).
[Link to original post and comments at Roy Ingle’s website.]
