The protest against Roman Catholic corruptions & false doctrines began before Martin Luther and will end without him. It is the truth of God uplifted that caused such a stir throughout the dark ages and sent ripples that has left such a profound mark in our time. Ninety-Five (95) propositions against the doctrine of indulgences was nailed on the church door in Wittenburg on October 31,1517 during All Saints Day (Halloween). There are numerous errors entrenched in the catholic religion that were of salvivic import and carried grave daily consequences to the parishioners. The pious Catholic teacher who was studying his bible decided to make a stand for the word of God. Below is a list of four professions including statements to remind us of the value of these truths that many have been persecuted to teach and maintan.

1. THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

The Reformer was tormented with the consequence of sin and knew not how to find peace with God, until a friend shared the word of God with him. This friend- Staupitz explained; "Instead of torturing yourself on account of your sins throw yourself into the redeemers arms. Trust in Him, in the righteousness of His life, in the atonement of His death...Listen to the son of God he became man to give you the assurance of divine favor.  Love him who first loved you." Prior to this the history books reveals how Martin Luther saught for peace as many still do today.

"As his convictions of sins deepened,he sought by his own works to obtain pardon and peace. He led the most rigorous life, endeavoring by fastings, vigils, and scourgings to subdue the evils of his nature, from which the monastic life has brought no release." GC 123

He began to recognize the value of looking away from self and claiming the merits of a crucifed savior. These truths are essential for us to accept if we must be saved:   "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" Roman 5:1 KJV. Also, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephe 2:8,9 KJV The theif on the cross had no good works or recommendation, he simply accepted the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. However, this acceptance does not lead a soul to be indifferent to the laws of God but to keep them also by faith. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephe 2:10 KJV

2. Sola Scriptura - The Bible Alone

He firmly declared that Christians should receive no other doctrines than those which rest on the authority of the sacred scriptures. These words struck at the very foundation of papal supremacy. Luther saw the danger of exalting human theories above the word of God. He fearlessly attacked the speculative infidelity of the schoolmen and opposed the philosophy and theology which so long held a a controlling influence upon the people. He denounced such studies as not only worthless but pernicious, and sought to turn the minds of his hearers from the sophistries of philosophers and theologians to the eternal truths set forth by prophets and apostles. "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 KJV Jesus Christ's life embodies the word hence the scripture states: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14 KJV. To put any other word above the bible is destructive to any Christian institution. One historian wrote that the success of the Roman church in fooling the people was based here: 

"It was to keep them under the control of the papacy, in order to swell the power and wealth of her ambitious leaders, that the bible had been withheld from them." John C.L. Gieseler, A Compendium of Ecclesiastical History, per. 4 sec. 1, par 5.

3. Protested The Selling of Indulgences

The Roman Church had made merchandise of the grace of God. The tables of the money exchangers Matt 21:12 KJV were set up beside her altars, and the air resounded with the shouts of buyers and sellers. Under the plea of raising funds for the erection of St. Peter's Church at Rome, indulgences for sin were publicly offered for sale by the authority of the pope. By the price of crime a temple was to be built for God's worship- the cornerstone laid with the wages of iniquity! Sellers of these certificates of pardon stated that "all the sins which the purchaser would afterward desire to commit would be forgiven him, and that repentance is not necessary!" GC 128  

Another Historian records another lie palmed off for the purpose of selling indulgence that involved the state of the dead:

"..the indulgences had power to save not only the living but the dead; that the very moment the money should clink against the bottom of his chest, the soul in whose behalf it had been paid would escape from purgatory and make its way to heaven." K.R. Hagenbach, History of The Reformation, vol 1, p.96

Such a proposition goes against the scriptures that delares that "Neither is there salvation in any other(than Jesus): for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12KJV . Also if it believed that the dead would escape purgatory then that goes against the following scripture: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." Ecc 9:5 KJV

4. The Pope is the Anti-Christ, Satan's Representative

Luther was as yet but partially converted from the errors of Romanism. But as he compared the Holy Oracles with the Papal decrees and constitution, he was filled with wonder. "I am reading he wrote, "the decrees of the pontiffs, and.. I do not know whether the pope is antichrist himself, or his apostle, so greatly is Christ misrepresented and crucified in them." D' Aubigne b. 5, Ch. 1.

In other statements by Martin Luther concerning the pope he said: "It is a horrible thing to behold the man who styles himself Christ's vicegerent, displaying magnificence that no emperor can equal. Is this being like the poor Jesus, or the humble Peter? He is, say they, the Lord of the world! But Christ, whose vicar he boasts of being has said, "My kingdom is not of this world." Can the dominions of a vicar extend beyond those of his superior?" D-Aubigne, b. 6, ch.3

After much struggle with the Roman hierarchy Martin Luther finally declared:

"For at last I know that the pope is Anti-Christ, and his throne is that of Satan himself."  GC 142

The scriptures confirms Martin Luthers position especially in 2 Thess 2:4 KJV

"Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."

The Popes title: "The Pope our Lord God" is translated "vicarius filei dei" and the roman numerals for this name adds up to 666 which is confirmed in Revelation 13:18 KJV

"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

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