31 OCTOBER is REFORMATION DAY
Friday, 31 October is the birthday of all Evangelical and Bible-believing churches. On 31 October 1517, Dr. Martin Luther launched the Protestant Reformation with his bold stand at the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

Freedom and Productivity
Western civilisation has been blessed with the greatest freedoms, productivity and prosperity ever known in history. The liberty, standards of justice and creativity enjoyed in Western civilisation is a direct result of the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.

First Things First
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught: "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

Peace with God
It was Martin Luther's earnest quest for peace with God, and his intensive study of the Scriptures, which led him to challenge the unethical fund-raising tactics of the papacy and launch the Protestant Reformation. Luther's love for the Word of God and his dedication to truth led him to challenge the entire ecclesiastical and political authority of the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire.

Captive to the Word of God
"Unless I am convinced by Scripture, or by clear reasoning, that I am in error - for popes and councils have often erred and contradicted themselves - I cannot recant, for I am subject to the Scriptures I have quoted; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. It is unsafe and dangerous to do anything against one's conscience. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. So help me God. Amen."

Freedom of Conscience
In this incredibly courageous stand against the assembled political and religious might of Europe, Luther argued for freedom of conscience based upon the authority of Scripture. Until that time the prevailing practice was authoritarianism, both in church and state. All religions and cultures supported a monarchy, aristocracy and authoritarianism. However Martin Luther and the Reformers maintained that, because of the depravity of man, no human authority could be trusted as absolute. He rejected ecclesiastical totalitarianism and championed the principle of Sola Scriptura - the Bible alone is our ultimate authority.

Education for All
By translating the Bible from the original Greek and Hebrew into the common tongue, and making it widely available to both nobles and peasants, Luther championed universal education and literacy, the Priesthood of all Believers, freedom of conscience and religious liberty.

Representative Governments
The Protestant doctrine of the Priesthood of all Believers became the foundation for modern representative republics. The equality of all men before God and the Law underlined the absolutism of monarchs and popes who set themselves above the Law.

Constitutional Authority
Instead of the prevailing "Rex Lex" (the king is the law), the Reformers championed "Lex Rex" (the Law is king!) No one is above God's Law. Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Everyone is under God's Law. Sola Scriptura eroded the foundations of ecclesiastical and political totalitarianism. The Protestant emphasis on the Priesthood of all Believers and the supreme authority of Scripture led to the concept of representative government and constitutional authority as the supreme law of the land.

Religious Liberty
By emphasising the Biblical doctrine of Faith as a gift of God, Luther undermined the Catholic Inquisition and provided the theological foundations for religious liberty and freedom of conscience.

Freedom of Speech
The social implications of this religious Reformation were enormous. The doctrine of Sola Scriptura led to constitutionalism. The Priesthood of all Believers led to the concept of representative republics and democratic forms of government. Religious liberty and freedom of conscience led to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association and all the other out-workings of political and social freedom.

Ideas have Consequences
There is no doubt that the Reformation in Europe during the 16th century has to be seen as one of the most important epochs in the history of the world. The Reformation gave us the Bible - now freely available in our own languages.

The Banned Bible
Few people today realise that the first Bibles printed into English had to be printed in Germany and smuggled into England in bales of cotton from Holland. The first Bible translator, William Tyndale, was burned at the stake for the crime of translating the Bible into English. Seven mothers and fathers were burned alive at Coventry for teaching their own children The Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostles Creed - in English.

Courage and Sacrifice
The sacrifices made by the Reformers and the far-reaching impact of their courageous application of the Word of God to every area of life, needs to be rediscovered. The Christian Church has made more positive changes on earth than any other force or movement in History.

Blessing the Nations
Most of the languages of the world were first codified and put into writing by Christian missionaries. More schools and universities have been started by Christians than any other religion, nation or group. Christian Reformers and missionaries have succeeded in bringing about the abolition of slavery, cannibalism, child sacrifice and widow burning. Those countries which enjoy the most civil liberties are those lands where the Gospel of Christ has penetrated the most.

Transforming Nations
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is life-changing, history making and nation transforming. If it doesn't change your life and the lives of those around you, then it's not the Biblical Gospel.

Checks and Balances
The Reformers emphasised God's Sovereignty that Scripture alone is our final authority that Christ alone is the Head of the Church, and that justification is by God's Grace alone, on the basis of the finished work of Christ, received by Faith alone. The Reformers' teaching on the depravity of man, the Covenant and church government have influenced positive political and social developments in liberty throughout the Western world and beyond, establishing checks and balances, the separation of powers and constitutional authority.

Faith and Freedom
All of us are beneficiaries of this tremendous movement for Faith and Freedom. If you love liberty, you need to re-examine the history and principles of the Reformation. Visit www.ReformationSA.org for inspirational character studies and articles on the doctrines and events which God has used to transform whole nations and bring about the greatest spiritual Revivals ever known.

World Changers Camp
If Revival is the prayer of your heart, then join us in Franschhoek, 30 October - 1 November for the World Changers Camp. We will be learning about Heroes of the Faith, South African History, and Effective Missions. There will be workshops on How to Impact Your World through Film, and How to Use Music and Art to Impact Your World for Christ. On Reformation Day, we will also have a guided tour of the Huguenot Museum and a Reformation Day Celebration service at the Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek, followed by an outreach.

For more details, or to book your place, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.ReformationSA.org website to view the Programme. You can also join the event on Reformation 500 Facebook page and share it on social media. For more information, phone: 021-689-4480.

"Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12:2

Resources for Reformation
Our Mission has been producing books and audio-visual materials to empower churches dedicated to working for Reformation and praying for Revival. These strategic resources include: The Greatest Century of Reformation; The Power of Prayer Handbook; Reforming Our Families; Biblical Principles for Africa; Practical Discipleship; Discipleship Training Manual; Reformation FIRE Manual; Victorious Christians - Who Changed the World, War Against God, Church History Survey boxset, Church History Overview MP3, The Great Commission Course Audio and Data boxset and the Church History Manual.

Reformation Celebration
Does your church, or school, plan to celebrate the Reformation this October? (If you are in the Cape Town area, please join us for the Reformation and Revival events, including the Guided Tour of the Huguenot Museum (10:00 - 12:00) and Reformation Day Celebration service at the Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek at 12 noon, 31 October, or invite Reformation Society speakers to address your school or church.

Great Films Available
You can also organise for inspiring Reformation films, such as Luther, Martin Luther and William Tyndale - God's Outlaw, to be shown at your cell group, youth groups, school or college.

Inspiration and Involvement
If you want to transform your community, and if you are praying for Revival, then contact The Reformation Society for resources you can use to inspire your family, school and congregation with examples of excellence. Visit www.ReformationSA.org website and Reformation 500 Facebook page for more inspiring testimonies and examples of excellence.

"Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?" Psalm 85:6

Dr. Peter Hammond
The Reformation Society
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Fx: 021-685-5884
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ReformationSA.org
See also:
How to Start a Reformation Group
Why Celebrate the Reformation?
Are You Praying for Revival?
The Forbidden Bible

The Bible explains to us that there are two kinds of people living on this earth – the ones that have the favor of God and the ones that God is angry with – they have the wrath of God on their life. The Bible also tells us in 2nd Chronicles 16,9: ”For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." and Peter confirms it in 1st Letter of Peter 3; 12: ”The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

We learn in the Bible that what we think, do and say will decide if we are living in the blessings of God or has His curses on our lives. The confession of Jesus as Savior will not make a difference here, as Jesus himself says: ”You will know them by their fruits!”

The evangelist of love, John, is telling us in his Gospel 3: 36: ”Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." To reject Jesus or to be disobedient to him and not living the new life in Christ will bring the anger of God on us!

Many people do not want to believe that God can be angry. That is, of course, because they have never really read the Bible. The Bible is very clear on the fact that God is keeping an exact account of our lives, on what we have been doing! He will be rewarding every good deed – even a glass of water to a brother and sister will have its reward one day, and Ephesians 5; 5 ”Of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” and Hebrew 12; 29: ”. . . for our "God is a consuming fire!”

When we understand how important our thoughts, words and deeds are, we should live an intimate life with Jesus in close relationship with Him. He has promised to ”strengthen whose hearts are fully committed to Him”, and his eyes will follow us, protect us and bless us!

Fear evil and love what is good! Rejoice and be glad and thank God for his great gift of Jesus! Shout of joy for His power and His strength every day! ”He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesus 3; 20)

God is love, and when we die from ourselves, we receive His love and it becomes part of us. We as human beings have none of this love – the real agape love in us. Just opposite. There is nothing good in ourselves according to Romans 3. But Paul declares in Romans 5; 5: “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” When we are born again by The Spirit of God by repentance and faith in Christ, He takes over the command in our lives and becomes our Lord. “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8; 14)

When this love of God is poured out in our hearts, we can do what Jesus talks about in Luke 10;27: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself." 

It is interesting to note here, that we then become able to love ourselves! We become “loveable” and we are able to value ourselves, and who we are in Christ. When you in this way learn to love yourself, you will also be able to love your neighbor and will be in harmony both with God, yourself and other people.

This will have great influence on our way of living our daily life. John tells us in 2nd John 1; 6: “This is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. “ He also tells us: “This is love for God: to obey his commands.” (1st John 5; 3) Love is not just sweet emotions or feelings, but a driving force in us that makes it very natural for us to follow every detail of the Word of God. His love for us makes us willing to rather die than to be reluctant in following every word of Scripture. The Bible is also clearly stating that Jesus is “the word” – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1; 14)

In this way we can know if Jesus is living in us, as Jesus is telling in John 14;21: “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.”

Live in the Word – live in Christ!

It is a tragic fact that many Christians today never really read the Word of God for themselves. Paul is again and again telling us how important the Scriptures are for our lives. He was speaking about the Old Testament, as they did not have the New Testament at that time. We need to read again and again both the Old and the New Testament to understand who God is, his way of thinking and how we can follow His ways in our daily life. This is the foundation for a blessed life, as He says in Joshua 1; 8: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Do you want to be prosperous and successful? Here is the recipe! That does not mean that life will be always easy, but you will succeed in your plans and your ambitions to please Him that loved you first! He loves to bless you in your family, your work, your finances and everything you set your mind to do!

Learn to quote the Word of God by heart! Tell it to yourself, tell it to others. Speak it out in your thoughts, your prayers, your talks with other people. Be a passionate lover of The Word – Jesus! Let your ambition in life be to please him, and by knowing The Word you will know how you can please Him and bless Him. Love Him, love your neighbor and love yourself! Then the life of Jesus will shine on others through you!