WHY WE MUST NOT FORGET THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION OF THE 16TH CENTURY

Today, many Protestant churches have forgotten the 16th Century Reformation or they have simply ignored it. They do not mention it any more in the church. Some don't even know who is Martin Luther or Jan Hus, etc. Reformation Sunday is not known and commemorated. Worst still, Protestants are making a return to the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). A strong ecumenical current is sweeping Christendom. Roman Catholic / Protestant union and fellowship, in the name of Christian unity is being encouraged. Who cares about the doctrine of Justification by faith alone?

The Protestant Reformation was the best thing that could happen in Christendom. Prior to this event, the RCC was the only church with a long list of traditions and superstitions which had to be followed by her people. The Bible was a forbidden book to be read and owned by the people. The Pope was the head of the church and vicar of Christ. He was treated like "God". He was seen and is seen today as infallible and inerrant when he speaks ex-cathedral on his throne in the Vatican. God has His plan and timing to raise up Luther to challenge the RCC on her doctrines which resulted in the Protestant Reformation. We must be thankful to the Lord for this man and his boldness in standing up for the truth.

Today we must treasure and be constantly reminded of this event. Not to do so may be detrimental to our church. We must not take the truth of God's Word lightly because the reformers fought and sacrificed their lives in bringing the Bible to the people.

If we do not commemorate this event, we will compromise our faith. A return to Rome would mean a failure of the Protestant Reformation as Luther and the reformers would have fought and died in vain to give us God's Word. The Lutheran Church today is keen to have union with the RCC. This was the church under Luther's name!

We must not forget this event because the matter of salvation is at stake. If we follow the RCC doctrine of salvation, it would be salvation by works and not by grace alone through faith in Jesus. Today, the RCC has lifted up Mary, the mother of Jesus, to be the one who provides salvation to mankind. They say she was born sinless and had the authority to save the lost. This is a contradiction of Scripture (see 1 Tim. 2: 5; Acts 4: 12. Mary saw God as her Saviour, Luke 1: 47). God's Word is very clear to tell us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone and you will be saved (Acts 16: 31). It's never through Mary.

I do not think and believe that the Protestant Reformation was the greatest schism in Christendom. Some people would like to see this event in that light. We are told that if we know the truth, the truth will make us free (John 8: 32). We have been brought back to the truth through God's Word and now we are free from the bondage of the many rituals and rites of the RCC. Let us treasure the truth always and be diligent in reading His Word!

Pastor