A Day Remembered; An Event Forgotten

 

For many, the 31st of October is known as Halloween — a day that celebrates darkness, fear, and all things demonic.
Yet for a few Protestants, this same date marks a far greater and often forgotten moment in history — the day Martin Luther, the Reformer, nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church.

The Significance of That Day

Martin Luther was a young man with a deep desire to know God personally. In his early years, he was taught to view God as a harsh Judge — One to be feared rather than loved. He trembled at the thought of standing before Him, imagining God as ready to destroy him at the slightest mistake.

But one day, Luther’s understanding of God changed forever.
He encountered a truth that shone like light in his darkened soul:

“The just shall live by faith.” — Romans 1:17

This simple yet profound Bible promise opened his eyes to the heart of the Gospel. It revealed that salvation is not earned through human effort or good works but received by faith in the righteousness of Christ alone.

At the time, the Roman Catholic Church taught that eternal life could be obtained through works — rituals, confessions, and payments to the Church. The concept of faith alone was almost unheard of.

Then came a man named Johann Tetzel, sponsored by the Church to sell indulgences — certificates that supposedly guaranteed forgiveness of sins or freedom from purgatory for oneself or a loved one. The money raised from these indulgences would fund the building of St. Peter’s Basilica.

To Luther, this was blasphemy — a denial of the grace of God and the truth of Scripture. He could no longer remain silent.

A Pen That Shook the World

Armed not with sword or armor, but with pen and paper, Luther wrote his 95 Theses — statements exposing the false doctrines being taught and calling for reform. On October 31, 1517, he nailed them to the door of the Wittenberg Church, intending to spark scholarly debate.
Instead, it sparked a Reformation.

The Church responded with outrage, branding him a heretic and threatening his life. But Luther stood firm, declaring boldly:

“Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”

Through God’s power, Luther’s courage and conviction ignited a movement that restored the Bible to its rightful place — as the ultimate authority for faith and life.

A Call to Remember

While the world celebrates darkness on this day, let us remember the light that shone through one man’s faith.
The Reformation was not merely a historical event — it was a spiritual awakening that calls us still today to return to the Word of God and live by faith in Christ alone.

If you’d like to learn more about this powerful chapter in history, I highly recommend reading The Great Controversy, Chapter 7, by Ellen G. White or watching the film Luther for a visual account of his journey.

Chapter 7, The Great Controversy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIx82PuGfTk&pp=ygUMbHV0aGVyIG1vdmll0gcJCQMKAYcqIYzv

Application

Let this day remind us:

• Faith in Christ — not works — is our only hope of salvation.

• Courage for truth can change history.

• Reformation begins in the heart when we choose to stand for God’s Word, no matter the cost.