In the darkness of night, a lone figure stood silently at the door…
What door?
The door of the Wittenberg Castle Chapel in Wittenberg, Germany.
Who stood at the door?
A monk named Martin Luther.
When did he stand at the door?
It was October 31, 1517, the evening before All Saints Day, also called All Hallows Day; hence the term Halloween. The Chapel in Wittenberg had a collection of over 19,000 relics, including 13 pieces of the manger, 2 pieces of hay, and 3 pieces of Mary’s hair. On All Saints Day, people would gather to see and venerate these relics in order to decrease their time in Purgatory 100 days for each piece.
What did he do?
Martin Luther nailed to the door of the Wittenberg Chapel something he had written entitled Nine-five Theses.
Why did he do it?
The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City was going to be a work of art—and very costly. So a monk named Tetzel sold indulgences to raise money to pay for this project. With the seal of approval of Pope Leo X, Tetzel told the people that, if they bought his indulgence, they would receive full absolution, the complete forgiveness of all their sins. Luther’s Ninety-five Theses was a protest against this practice.
Why was that the Best Ever Halloween?
For hundreds of years the Word of God had been buried under man-made traditions and rules. Luther’s Nine-five Theses was the tiny spark that God used to ignite a fire that became known as the Protestant Reformation.
Because of the Best Ever Halloween, millions of people would hear and many would believe the truly good news of God’s Word—God forgives sinners by His grace alone, and not by their works.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
According to God’s word, a billion indulgences could not bring forgiveness for even one sin. God saves sinners only through the precious blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, shed on Calvary.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).
There is only one way for you to be comfortable in death and safe in the day of judgment; it is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You need only look to Christ, to Him alone. He is not only willing; He is able to save you.
Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).
Give yourself no rest until you rest in the Lord Jesus—in Him alone!
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? (Hebrews 2:3)
But wait! There’s more.
When you place your faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, He will fill your life with lasting joy and peace. The wonderful promise which He spoke over two-thousand years ago is just as true for you today.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you (Luke 11:9).