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I - THE REFORMATIONIn order to have a proper perspective and understanding of these terms which have been mentioned we should go back to the time of the Reformation. The 16th. century witnessed the greatest upheaval in the religious world since the time of Pentecost. What is now usually referred to as the Protestant Reformation took place at that time, and it was an event of tremendous significance. Most evangelical Christians regard the Reformation as a glorious movement brought about by the Spirit of God, and give heartfelt thanks for it. The time of the Reformation was indeed a time of great spiritual blessing, and while it was a time of upheaval and debate, and sometimes even of violence, yet it was a time when multitudes were converted to Jesus Christ and brought into the light of the Gospel. The Reformation is most closely identified with such great men of God as Martin Luther (1483-1546), John Calvin (1509-1564). Huldreich Zwingli (1484-1531), John Knox (1505-1572) etc. The basic desire of these men, and of the Reformation, was to bring the churches back to Apostolic Christianity, from the corruption of Romanism. One of the "watchwords" of the Reformation was "scripture alone"; the Reformers called the people away from Roman tradition and superstition, and back to the Bible, the Word of God as the only infallible authority for the Christian faith. The Reformation, then, was an attempt to return to Apostolic Christianity, to Apostolic doctrine, to Apostolic preaching, and as such it was greatly blessed of God. As multitudes were converted through the labours of the Reformers and their helpers, they were established into churches throughout Europe. The need was felt to give expression to the doctrines which the "reformed churches" (as they were often called) believed and taught, and so the great creeds of the Protestant churches began to appear. The Reformers themselves wrote much concerning the Christian Faith for the instruction and edification of their converts. Probably the greatest theologian of the Reformation was John Calvin. This man was greatly used of God and his labours were prodigious. He wrote excellent commentaries on almost every book in the Bible, and early in his career wrote the "Institutes of the Christian Religion", which had a great influence in establishing the young churches of the Reformation. In the "Institutes" Calvin expounded the major doctrines of the Christian faith, and this great work still remains today as one of the finest expositions of Christian truth. The Reformation movement was so successful under God's blessing that "reformed churches" were soon establish in most European countries including England, and though there were many difficulties and upheavals the churches flourished. While there were differences of opinion on matters such as the Lord's Supper, and aspects of church government, the churches of the Reformation were one with respect to the great fundamental truths of the Bible, and especially in those truths relating to God's work in the salvation of men. The Reformation churches preached a God Who was sovereign, a humanity that was in every part corrupted by sin, and a salvation that was altogether of grace.
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