Fraternal Organisation
REFORMATION DAY:
'Remembering the Reformation'
Why should we remember an event which took place over 500 years ago?
What relevance does it have today?
The simple answer is that the Reformation of the 16th century was about rediscovering the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a gospel which still today is crucial for life and eternity.
The original desire of Martin Luther was to encourage the Roman Catholic Church back to gospel truth. That it led to the Protestant Reformation is a reminder that the Church is built on the gospel and not the other way round.
The Reformation shows us that God does not bless a church or denomination when faithlessness or a man-made approach to the Scriptures is followed. It reminds us that the wonderful gospel of grace can be effectively lost to a church which distorts and neglects the Scriptures.
The Reformation teaches us that the purity of the gospel matters and compromising on it will lead to destruction. The church ought to be built upon the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and proclaim that good news - that is the treasure of the gospel which is still priceless today.
It was into a spiritual bleakness that the Reformers were born, and we live today in an equally dark world. A world which glories in depraved behaviour which ought to make every person ashamed. But God is able to shine His light into even the darkest of places and there is a great need to recall what He did 500 years ago and how it still impacts on life and living in 2021.
The Reformation, therefore, is an important reminder of how God used - and still uses today - people to point others to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
By Wor. Bro. Rev. John Noble,
Grand Chaplain
'Staunch and True' - Museum Exhibition
Join us as we look at the genesis and early development of the Protestant Reformation which began in 1517. You can download PDF copies of the Exhibition which was originally on display on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.
Download: Luther PDF Booklet Series
Specially commissioned to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, these PDF booklets can be downloaded to your device. Click each publication, below, to download:
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Out of Love for the Truth
Booklet Edition of the exhibition, giving an overview of the life and theology of Martin Luther
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Luther in the British Isles
Luther's connections with English Reformer William Tyndale and Scottish Reformer Patrick Hamilton
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Theologian of the Cross
Four short essays on aspects of Martin Luther
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They Took Nails
Five devotions from the life of Martin Luther. For personal or group discussions.
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Martin Luther in Ten Objects
A simple introduction to Luther for young people
Gallery: Reformation Parade 2017
View our impressive Gallery of images showcasing the Luther 500 Parade which was held in Portadown, County Armagh in 2017