Over the next several weeks, as a lead-up to the celebration of the Lutheran Reformation, we will spend some time with Historical Theology. We’ll take a look at the key dates of the Lutheran Reformation, and see how the Holy Spirit has worked through history to preserve the Gospel, and what the implications are for us today as conservative Lutheran Christians.

The place to start then is the year 1517AD. This is the year that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg, Germany church. This is considered the beginning of the Lutheran Reformation.

The Lutheran Reformation is all about salvation by grace, through faith, in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Grace means “gift”; your sins are forgiven as a gift from God. You have eternal life as a gift from God. It’s all by grace. And God’s grace comes to you through His Son Jesus.

This is what the year 1517AD is all about. It is not so much about Martin Luther, but how God worked through Martin Luther to bring the Gospel to the forefront. He taught that salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and not by indulgences, good works, or any other human effort.

1517 … it’s a date that is worth knowing.
• Indulgences were denounced;
• The Reformation was beginning;
• and the focus of the Church was shifting back to the grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!