On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 thesis (statements for discussion and debate) on the church door at Wittenberg, Germany, which became the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. Others soon followed. It wasn’t intended to start a new church or even break away from the Catholic Church, but only to address certain aspects of the church practices that needed to be reformed—thus the name, Reformation. 

Church leaders refused to debate, but only offered condemnation of his actions. A serious debate or discussion never did ensue, only the demand that he recant, which he refused to do on biblical grounds.  

Photo of the Wittenberg Church. A Reformation landmark. 

The church was using the money obtained to go toward construction of St. Peter’s basilica in Rome as directed by the pope. 

 Noted on the slide is the principal point of Luther’s 95 Theses, objecting to selling indulgences. 

Image shows the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican (Italian: Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano) or simply St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The history of St. Peter’s dates back to the 4th Century. Major construction took place in the 16th century. The original basilica was built over the historical site of the Circus of Nero, which began during the reign of Emperor Constantine.

Martin Luther’s principal objection began here, when he saw money infesting the indulgence system, which compelled him to write his 95 Theses in 1517, which attacked it. It’s said he wondered, did the church need to accumulate money when the Pope could, really, just free everyone from purgatory by himself? 

In response to Luther, on January 3, 1521, Pope Leo X issued the papal bull “Decet Romanun Pontificem” excommunicating Martin Luther thus formalizing the Reformation. 

People who donated received a certificate of indulgence, as shown on the slide, which they could apply to themselves or a loved one to shorten their stay in Purgatory, which depended on the amount of the donation.  

A priest named Johann Tetzel sold the indulgences in Wittenberg to anyone who donated money for the reconstruction effort in Rome where they were rebuilding the Cathedral of St. Peter. In return they received a certificate of indulgence as shown on the previous slide. The statement associated with his sales pitch is shown on this slide. 

The principal message of the Reformation both then and now, is that we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone and not by buying indulgences. You cannot buy eternal life. The Five Solas translate as follows: Scripture alone not papal decrees. Faith alone, not works of our own doing or that we can buy. Grace Alone through the Holy Spirit as Jesus tells Nicodemus. For all this, God alone gets the Glory! 

Covenant Presbyterian Church’s very own Martin Luther.  See Pastor Scott’s Reformation message at the following link. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNDV2eT9rzQ 

A blessed 505th Anniversary of Reformation day. Stay strong in the faith, even in today’s world. It came at a great price as a gift from God bestowed by the Holy Spirit in the blessed name of Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.  God bless each and everyone reading this.