Acts 15:18 *Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world*.
*MEET MARTIN LUTHER*
Martin Luther born in Eisleben,Germany, in 1483. He was a graduate of University of Erfurt where he obtained a masters degree. In fulfilment of a vow he made to God when he was caught in a thunderstorm, in July 1505 Luther moved into an Augustinian monastery.
While in the monastery, Luther studied in Erfurt and at a University in Wittenberg till he became a professor in biblical studies. In the 16th century, scholars and theologians began to question the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church of which Luther was no exception.
As an Augustinian monk, Luther had been studying Romans and Psalms and became convinced that people are saved by faith alone, not by works or payments for indulgence. Further, he believed the Church had no biblical basis for selling forgiveness of sins. Also, the Bible, not the Pope, was the final authority. Till now, the Catholics believe in the infallibility of the Pope and that whatever he says ex cathedra is correct.
Believing the sale of indulgences to be corrupt, on October 31 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses (also called the “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences”) on the door of Wittenberg’s Castle Church for scholarly debate on the subject. The news spread throughout Germany and made it all the way to Rome.
In 1518, Catholic officials called Martin Luther to Augsburg to defend his position but he did not budge. On July 1520, Pope Leo X issued a decree in July 1520 calling Luther’s ideas heretical. Luther was given 120 days to recant; yet he did not shift ground. This led to his excommunication from the Catholic Church in January 1521.
In 1525 Luther married Katharina von Bora, a former nun; the couple had six children. We thank God for the life of Martin Luther. If not for his reformation, we may still be "paying" a price of money for our sins.
Two things stood out for me in this abridged history: (a) the powerlessness of works in the presence of grace; (b) The greed of man and lack of respect for the authority of scriptures.
*(a) the powerlessness of works in the presence of grace*
The bible is clear on the subject of salvation and forgiveness. These things cannot be obtained through piety, payment or your own works. It is purely by grace. You cannot sacrifice anything greater than the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
Paul says, *"For by grace you have been saved by faith. NOTHING YOU DID COULD EVER EARN THIS SALVATION, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ! [9] So no one will ever be able to boast, for SALVATION IS NEVER A REWARD FOR GOOD WORKS OR HUMAN STRIVING*"( Eph 2:8-9 TPT).
What does scripture say about forgiveness of sins? Ephesians 1:7 (NLT) says, *"He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins*".
How much can we pay for salvation or forgiveness of sins? If it were by payment, most of us won't qualify because we don't have enough to pay but thank God for grace. Any doctrine that stands opposed to the free grace of God is purely anti bible.
(b) *The greed of man and lack of respect for the authority of scriptures*.
Greed is plausibly the only reason a man will put a charge to what can be obtained by grace alone. Martin Luther saw this and fought against it vehemently. This is also one of the reasons I preach against any doctrine that teaches the payment of money for miracles/ gift of God.
Finally, I make bold to say that the Holy Bible (accurately interpreted) is the final authority on matters of life and doctrine not the Pope, Bishop or church tradition. No church tradition is greater than God's word neither should infallibility be ascribed to any man. Only God and His word is infallible.