Wed. Dec 4th, 2024
(Wikimedia Commons)

Oct. 31, 2024, will mark the 507-year anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg church door, thus igniting the Protestant Reformation. It also presents yet another opportunity for Pope Francis to demonstrate whether he is serious about unity. 

Pope Francis has made Christian unity a major theme of his administration. He has reached out to leaders of the Eastern Orthodox churches and to Protestant leaders, including those from the Pentecostal-charismatic movement. A July 10, 2014, article in Charisma News carried the story of the pope’s cordial meeting with Kenneth Copeland and James Robison, which included prayer and high fives.

Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!

I commend the pope for his efforts, but if he is truly serious about Christian unity, he can highlight it with a clear and unequivocal statement on this 507-year Reformation anniversary. He can do this by lifting Luther’s excommunication and removing his label as a heretic. 

Luther, after all, was a devout Roman Catholic priest who never wanted to leave the Catholic Church. He wanted to see it reformed according to Scripture but, for his efforts, was excommunicated and labeled a heretic.

Get your FREE CHARISMA NEWSLETTERS today! Stay up to date with current issues, Holy Spirit news, Christian teachings, Charisma videos & more!

As a professor of Bible and theology at the University of Wittenberg, Luther began to see how far the medieval Catholic Church had moved away from the truth of the gospel. He began to boldly teach that Scripture, not the pope, is our final authority. He also taught that we are saved through faith in Christ alone apart from church-appointed works and sacraments.

When the church ordered him to stop teaching these doctrines, he refused, now convinced that he was on the side of Scripture. He was brought before a religious court—the Diet of Worms—where he faced the highest dignitaries in the church and the emperor himself. He was ordered to recant his teachings, but refused, saying,

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MYCHARISMA.COM. TO ENJOY THE REST OF THIS MYCHARISMA POST, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK

Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!

Related Post

Leave a Reply

Related Podcasts

More News
When Was Hell Prepared?
When Was Hell Prepared?
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
The Greatest Spiritual War for the Future Is the Past, Present and Future
The Greatest Spiritual War for the Future Is the Past, Present and Future
Tucker Carlson Shares His Testimony: ‘I Was Mauled by a Demon’
Tucker Carlson Shares His Testimony: ‘I Was Mauled by a Demon’
Mike Signorelli Talks Demonic Possession, Oppression and Generational Curses
Mike Signorelli Talks Demonic Possession, Oppression and Generational Curses
A Night of Unity at Christ Church: Arabs and Jews Worship Jesus Together in Jerusalem
A Night of Unity at Christ Church: Arabs and Jews Worship Jesus Together in Jerusalem
Amanda Grace, Faith Leaders Host Prayer Night for the Trump Family
Amanda Grace, Faith Leaders Host Prayer Night for the Trump Family
Is Fear Stopping You from Fulfilling God’s Purpose in Your Life?
Is Fear Stopping You from Fulfilling God’s Purpose in Your Life?
Isaiah Saldivar’s Remarkable Message: ‘I Hear Chains Breaking’
Isaiah Saldivar’s Remarkable Message: ‘I Hear Chains Breaking’
Greg Locke: How Biblical Generosity Transforms Lives
Greg Locke: How Biblical Generosity Transforms Lives
previous arrow
next arrow
Shadow

Latest Videos
81.9K Subscribers
1K Videos
8.2M Views

Copy link