Luther's 1534 Bible Saved by Grace

Colin Melbourne

© 04-08 Born-Again-Christian.Info

Flames swept through a German library on the night of 2nd. September 2004 destroying thousands of priceless books in a two hour inferno. Many of those not burned, were damaged by water from fireman's hoses.

The Duchess Anna Amalia library, is housed amidst a 16th century palace in the German town of Wiemar, and contained over 12,000 works by illustrious authors such as Goethe and Schiller.

Amongst the unique treasures was Martin Luther's personal copy of his 1534 Bible translation. Luther was a stalwart of the European Reformation, along with John Calvin, John Huss and others.

The papists of Luther's day tried to stifle the Gospel by threatening him, and burning copies of his Holy Bible translation. The first in plain German, published so the common man could see for himself what God has said, and how Catholics had corrupted the Gospel of God.

How they would have rejoiced to see the recent Weimar bonfire. Doubtless proclaiming it to be God's Judgment upon the work of a 'heretic'. But their faces would have dropped in anguish to see what happened next.

A chain of rescuers passed some of the irreplaceable books to safety, and chief amongst them was Luther's personal Bible: Undamaged, saved from the flames.

Christians don't worship men, or books (though some come perilously close to making an idol out of the King James Bible), they worship the LORD Jesus Christ, Almighty God in the Flesh, the Living Word, but I can imagine Martin dance with joy to see how not only has he been completely justified by God. His 'heretical' doctrine of salvation by Grace, apart from works, is now accepted as the backbone of the Gospel of Christ.

In addition, Catholicism and Papal dominion are now fully exposed as false, the scarlet harlot of Revelation 17, a satanic counterfeit of genuine Christianity. (See the list of articles in the sidebar).

This week, we witnessed a delightful encore, no doubt by Divine providence, Luther's personal Bible was rescued from the flames!

Come on you Saints! Rejoice in your Blood-bought salvation, secure in Christ alone, not daring to trust in sacraments; rituals, or the inventions of men. But resting in the finished work of Christ by the grace of God.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no-one can boast. Holy Bible, Eph. 2:8-9 NIV

You have no need of religion, the traditions of men, or the corkscrewed doctrines of demons when you obey the Word of God Himself, who declared:

Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. Jn.8:40

No sacraments; no candles, no pennance, no endless demonic prayers, no intermediary, no begging, and pleading, no payment; just look and believe. That is what God says you need to do to be saved and have eternal life. Do it now Beloved and you will be saved where you sit.

Luther's soul-stirring answer to Roman Catholics attempting to provoke him to deny this Gospel Truth was,

"I cannot, I will not recant. Here I Stand. I can do no more. God save me!"

God has saved Luther, and all who trust in God's Word, Jesus Christ.

Has Jesus Christ saved you; are you established on the Rock, or are you sinking in the quicksands of religion?

Germany's minister of culture visited the smouldering site of the fire the following day and declared,

"A piece of the world's cultural heritage has been lost forever".

None of the books were insured.

What a contrast with the clear message within the pages of Luther's Bible, that all who trust in Christ will never be lost, but saved forever.

Make sure you are insured against the Flames of Hell today: Repent and Receive Christ as Lord and Saviour.