From the Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Redeemer Covenant Resource e-newsletter to the congregation:

On Friday, October 31, is the American custom of Halloween. For kids, it is mostly a time to dress up, run around the neighborhood, and get free candy, while parents attempt to limit the amount of candy and treats that the kids eat each day.

In history, October 31 was a most significant day! For it was on this day that Martin Luther, a German Monk in the church, nailed his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the All-Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The 95 theses were protesting the sale of indulgences by the church. Selling indulgences was a means whereby the church raised money while the people “received spiritual benefits” from these purchases. Luther objected to this practice, as it was opposed to God and contrary to Scripture.

It was on this day, October 31, 1517, with Luther’s hanging of the 95 theses, that began the Protestant Reformation. God used Luther and others to reform the church and align it with the Scriptures. Thus, we celebrate Reformation Day every October 31.

The key points of the Reformation:

• Sola scriptura: “Scripture alone.”
• Sola fide: “Faith alone.”
• Sola gratia: “Grace alone.”
• Solus Christus: “Christ alone.”
• Soli Deo gloria: “To the glory of God alone.”

Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ – nothing else. The highest authority is the revealed Word of God, the Scriptures; all else is under its revelation. We are saved by God’s grace, given to us through faith. Christ alone is the means of our salvation, and we are to give glory to God alone. These principles countered the confusion and the corruption in the church, reforming it back into harmony with God’s intention as revealed to us in the Scriptures.

So, rejoice on October 31st for God’s kindness to us and celebrate Reformation Day, giving Glory to God for his great work of our salvation through Jesus Christ! Soli Deo gloria

Pastor Dan Thompson