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Reformation Day |
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The Importance of Reformation Day:
Martin Luther and his colleagues came to understand
that if we sinners had to earn salvation by our own merits and good works, we would be
lost and completely without hope. But through the working of the Holy Spirit, the
reformers rediscovered the gospel -- the wonderful news that Jesus Christ lived, died, and
rose again to redeem and justify us.
Reformation Day is an important liturgical festival that
is celebrated by Lutherans and Christians of many Protestant denominations. It
commemorates Dr. Martin Luther's posting of his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the
Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31st, 1517. This act triggered the
movement in world history known as the Reformation. While the historical date for
the observance of Reformation is October 31st, most churches celebrate it on the last
Sunday in October. |
| As Luther wrote in his
explanation of the Second Article of the
Apostles'
Creed: I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from
eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a
lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the
power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with
His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom,
and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is
risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true. |
| On Reformation Day, we glorify
God for what he accomplished in 16th century Germany through His servant, Dr. Martin
Luther -- the recovery of the gospel of salvation by grace through faith for Christ's
sake. We also earnestly pray that God would keep all of us faithful to the true
gospel and help us to joyfully declare it to the world. |
| WHAT IS THE LITURGICAL COLOR
FOR REFORMATION DAY? Red is the liturgical
color for this day. Red reminds us of the Holy Spirit who descended on Christ's
followers in tongues of fire on Pentecost. It was by the
power of the Holy Spirit that Martin Luther came to learn the gospel. The same
Spirit moved him to post his Ninety-five Theses and inspired him and his colleagues to
work toward the Reformation of the Christian church. |
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Liturgical Colors
Liturgical Calendar
Time After Pentecost |
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