The Commemoration of the Reformation

On 31. October 1517, Luther posted his Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. His 95 Theses were an invitation to debate the issue of indulgences in the Medieval Church. The firestorm that arose from this action lead to the Reformation and culminated in the drafting of the Augsburg Confession in 1530. 

To commemorate the start of the Reformation, Here are the four most important theses from Luther's Disputation: 

1. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said poenitentiam agite ["Repent"], willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance. [Matthew 4,17] 

36. Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon.  

37. Every true Christian, whether living or dead, participates in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted him by God, even without indulgence letters.

62. The true treasure of the Church is the most holy gospel of the glory and the grace of God. 

Luther's reforming work began before 1517. Several years prior, he began the groundwork when he lectured on the Psalms, Romans and Galatians at Wittenberg University. He weekly preaching at the city church further built on his reforming ideals. After 1517, Luther tackled liturgical reforms regarding the liturgy, hymns and writing the Small Catechism to teach Christians the very basics of the Christian faith. These reforms continue to influence the Lutheran Church to this day. The Church is always reforming: we must continue to keep the preaching of the gospel with its doctrine of justification (that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone) in the forefront, for this is the very message proclaimed by Christ and His apostles. This proclamation comforts sinners and promises them forgiveness and salvation on account of the merit of Jesus Christ.