Moving in the Apostolic

Apostolic Reformation

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however, the people refused to burn his writings, and instead defended him. The Church was losing its grip on the minds of many of the people who had been exposed to Luther's writings. In Wittenburg on December 10, 1520, Luther responded by burning the most sacred writings of the Church, including the pope's order. Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Church on January 3, 1521. Martin Luther's simple act of nailing his 95 theses on a church door began what is know as the Protestant Reformation. The spirit of reformation was upon him as he began to attack the teachings of the Church that were not based on the Word of God. He began translating the Scriptures from Latin to German for the common people to read and understand. People in many cities began to destroy statues, and priests began to marry. Those who followed the reforms were called Lutherans. The Roman Church, concerned with stemming the tide of Lutheranism, called upon the German princes to seize Luther, but there were many who supported him, and some feared the social unrest that would occur if they obeyed the pope's edict.

T HE APOSTOLIC ANOINTING UPON M ARTIN L UTHER WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO SHAKE THE ENTIRE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM OF HIS DAY .

Luther began teaching and training pastors and preachers, many of whom knew nothing of the Word of God. Whenever there is reform, there must also be a retraining of ministers to maintain the new form of the Church brought about by the reform. Apostles also train people with other ministry gifts (such as pastors and teachers) to sustain and carry on what reformation has begun. Luther also published books of his sermons for preachers to read and study. Luther was not the only apostolic reformer of his day, but he is often referred to as "the father of the Reformation." The