Acts 15:18 *Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world*.
*ASIDE SALES OF INDULGENCE: THE FIVE BIG TARGETS* (c)
Martin Luther was not a rabble rouser. All he wanted was clarity on some issues bothering on the practices of the church in his day which were not clearly explained. Since scriptures is written, he wanted all things clearly explained and understood by himself and the people across Europe who were asking questions.
The Roman Catholic church wasn't just a church in that era, their influence was also political. The pope was greater in influence than the kings and emperors at that time. They had their own armies and governmental structure. The rulers of other European countries were proxies of Rome where the papal seat was.
In line with ancient tradition where the Pope was a national ruler, the Vatican city became an independent country under the rulership of the pope since February 11, 1929 under what was known as Lateran treaty. Popes are not just religious leaders but also political.
Aside the sales of indulgence, Martin Luther's third issue was:
iii.*Distinction between Clergy&Laity and Celibacy*
In my previous teaching, part 5, the issue of clergy versus the laity was treated from a biblical standpoint. All believers are priests in God's sight( 1 Peter 2:9). You can read up.
The issue of mandatory celibacy is worth examining in today's teaching. The Roman Catholic church mandated celibacy as one of the key criteria for ordination into priesthood citing Peter as the first pope of the church. Their belief is that other popes succeeded Peter as the Bishop of Rome. An assertion that is not found in scriptures and history.
Was Peter celibate? The Gospels explicitly mention Peter having a mother-in-law: *"When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. [15] But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him*" (Mt8:14-15 NLT)
How best can this scripture be explained? A man who had a mother-in- law obviously had a wife. Peter was married, he was not celibate. Apostle Paul also confirmed the marital status of Peter
1 Corinthians 9:5 *"Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does*"?
Not only did Paul reveal that Peter traveled around with his wife, he confirmed that other apostles also had wives. Where did the mandatory law of celibacy come from? Obviously, it is not a biblical command for priests. Even under old testament, priests and Levites married.
The council of Elvira in Spain in 305 AD mandated all married priests to abstain from sexual relations with the wives. Later Pope Gregory VIII (1074) excommunicated all married priests while Pope Innocent II in 1139 mandated celibacy for all priests. Celibacy law was not divine but man- made.
Martin Luther saw that this system was ridden with lots of secret sexual immorality and it is till date. Several popes, bishops and cardinals were secretly immoral. Some kept secret their children and families.
Pope Alexander VI (1492–1503) known as one of the most corrupt pontiffs, Alexander VI had numerous mistresses, fathered at least a dozen children, and actively used his position to enrich his family. He notably took teenage mistress Giulia Farnese and was documented to have hosted unrestrained parties and orgies in the Vatican. Martin Luther was aware of this.
In 1525, Martin Luther married an ex-nun, Katharina von Bora. Said celibacy law was unbiblical and caused scandals. Told monks/nuns they were free to leave. Though some accused him of having had an eye on that lady (mere speculation) but it was not recorded anywhere that he sexual relations with her or anyone. No scandal to his name like some other priests.
*It is better to be right with God than to be wrong with men*.
It is not a sin to stay unmarried for the purpose of ministry. Afterall, it was not recorded that Elijah&Paul married but no one forced them to it. It was their own choice not a man-made rule. Making celibacy a rule for ministry is not right. It breeds immorality.
In Matthew 19:12, Jesus said, *"Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made eunuchs by others, and SOME CHOOSE NOT TO MARRY FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Let anyone accept this who can*".
Again I say, any tradition that is not rooted in scripture will breed corruption and secret sins. God's yoke is easy and his burden is light. Why should we subscribe to church traditions that puts heavy burden on men?