Fleet United Reformed Church
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Minister and Elders
    • What We Believe
    • About the United Reformed Church
    • Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals
    • Annual Report
  • What’s On
    • Church Calendar
    • Regular Activities
      • Weekly Coffee Morning
    • Forthcoming Events
    • Holy Week and Easter Services
  • Worship & Prayer
    • Our Worship
    • What to expect – for new visitors
    • About Prayer
    • Prayers from our Minister
    • Other Prayer Resources
    • Daily Devotions from the URC
  • Young People
    • About our Work with Young People
    • Charter for Children in the Church
    • Footsteps
    • Brownies and Rainbows
    • Toddlers’ Group
  • Mission
    • Our Mission
    • Local Mission
    • Using Our Church Premises
    • Wider Mission
    • Palani Mission
    • Commitment for Life
    • C for L Stories for Change
  • News
    • Latest Posts
    • Posts Archive
    • ‘In Touch’ Magazines
    • Weekly Newssheets
    • Photo Gallery
  • Find Us
Search the site...

Calvin, Luther and Beyond

17 August, 2009 / admin / Bible Year
0

John CalvinOur Bible Study on 16 July paid homage to Protestant reformer John Calvin, at the 500th anniversary of his birth.  Yet as we remember and celebrate this significant event in the history of the Reformed Church, the Minister reminded us that we are here not to mimic Calvin and Luther, but to learn from them, and continue their task.

Some key texts of the Reformation were considered:

1 Peter, 2: 9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (NRSV)

Previously the church hierarchy – Pope, Cardinals, Bishops and priests – governed all that was said and done in the name of the church.  Only the clergy took the bread and wine, read and interpreted the Bible, and said the prayers.  One of Luther’s first questions was whether this is Scriptural.  This innocent question got him thrown out of the church.

Martin LutherSince there was no other church to go to, Luther created his own – the Lutheran Church, based on the teaching of Jesus and the calling of the twelve, who were the first of millions.  Luther saw that Christ’s victory on the cross changed the pattern of what had gone before, so that now we can come directly into God’s presence without fear – we are all a royal priesthood.  Everyone in the church has a ministry – we are all ministers of the Gospel.  In Church Meeting we work out what that ministry is.

Romans, 3: 28

For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. (NRSV)

Before Luther people were taught that salvation was earned by giving money, building churches, or performing good deeds.  Luther questioned these beliefs and taught that because Christ died for our sins we can know that God’s grace cannot be earned: it comes by faith.  Why does God save us by faith alone?  Because faith eliminates the pride of human effort.

In the Reformed tradition the church is reformed and ever reforming.  We follow a Risen Christ, Risen Lord and Holy Spirit, and not public opinion.

Molly Frampton

Photos:
(1) 16th Century Portrait of John Calvin by an unknown artist;
(2) Martin Luther in 1529 by Lucas Cranach


1 Peter 2:9. faith, Bible, Bible Study, Church Meeting, Fleet, Fleet United Reformed Church, God, Jesus, John Calvin, justification, Lutheran Church, Martin Luther, ministry, Reformation, Reformed Church, Romans 3:28, royal priesthood, Stephen M Thornton, URC, Vision4Life

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News Update

  • An Easter Egg Hunt with a Difference
  • Christ is Risen!
  • Palm Sunday
  • ‘Art of the Possible’ – Ecumenical Lent Groups 2018
  • Lent with the URC Daily Devotions

Quick Links:

  • Ruth's blog

URC

  • Commitment for Life
  • Daily Devotions
  • Pilots
  • Quarterly Update
  • Reform
  • The Windermere Centre
  • United Reformed Church
  • Vision4Life
  • Wessex Synod

URC Local Churches

  • Beacon Hill URC
  • Church on the Heath
  • Farnham URC
  • High Cross, Camberley
  • St Marks Shared Church, Bordon

Wider Church

  • Christian Aid
  • Churches Together in England (CTE)
  • Churches Together in Fleet and Crookham
  • Council for World Mission (CWM)
  • FACCTS
  • Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT)
  • Livingstones Christian Bookshop, Fleet
  • ROOTS Resources
  • World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)
  • World Council of Churches (WCC)
(c) 2015 Fleet URC - Powered by WordPress, Designed by iChurch
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok