Dr Erhard Gallos will present an overview of I & II Corinthians, third quarter Sabbath School lessons on July 11, 4:00-5:30 PM at the PMC Commons. All are welcome. Contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 for information.
The Story of Martin Luther and the New Reformation
"You Impious and Sensate Papist!"
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
More In This Series
"The Story of Martin Luther and the New Reformation:
'You Impious and Sensate Papist!'"
- The Reformer
- December 10, 1520
- Luther Against the Execrable Bull of Antichrist: "Peter said that you should give a reason for the faith that is in you, but this bull condemns me from its own word without any proof from Scripture, whereas I back up all my assertions from the Bible. I ask thee, ignorant Antichrist, dost thou think that with thy naked words thou canst prevail against the armor of Scripture?... O meticulous ignorance!... you impious and insensate [comatose] papist.... [A]s they excommunicated me... so I excommunicate them in the name of the sacred truth of God. Christ will judge whose excommunication will stand. Amen.” (Roland Bainton Here I Stand: A Life of Luther 125-126)
- Luther: "Since they have burned my books, I burn theirs. The canon law was included because it makes the pope a god on earth. So far I have merely fooled with this business of the pope. All my articles condemned by Antichrist are Christian. Seldom has the pope overcome anyone with Scripture and with reason." (Bainton 128)
- James Kittelson: "This focus on Christ could give even the most tormented soul absolute assurance. Where was the release from accusations of conscience or God’s law? 'Nowhere save from Christ and in Christ. For if some complaint should be registered against a heart that believes in Christ, and testify against it concerning some evil deed, then the heart turns itself away, and turns to Christ, and says, "But he made satisfaction. He is the righteous one, and this is my defense. He died for me, he made his righteousness mine and made my sin his own; and if he made my sin his own, then I do not have it, and I am free."'" (Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career 95)
- The Reformation
- The Five Sola’s: Solus Christus—"Christ alone" Sola fide—"faith alone" Sola gratia—"grace alone" Sola scriptura—"Scripture alone" and Soli Deo gloria—"glory of God alone"
- L. E. Froom: "Luther’s break with Rome was a spectacle equaling, if not surpassing, in moral sublimity any other scene unfolded in the Christian Era.... [I]t was evident that nothing in this old world is more powerful than a prophetic truth whose time has come. It has impelling force and power within it. Thus it was with the Reformation, which was really born of a twofold discovery—first, the rediscovery of and His salvation; and second, the discovery of the identity of and his subversions." (Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers 2:243)
- Martin Luther’s understanding of Bible prophecy:
- 1 John 2:18, 22—The Antichrist (GK: " Christ") is coming.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4—The man of lawlessness/the man of sin will assert himself to be on earth.
- Daniel 7:25—The "little horn" power of Daniel 7 will speak against the , persecute the saints and change times and laws.
- Revelation 13:3ff—Luther identified the beast of Revelation 13, the fallen woman in Revelation 17 and Babylon in Revelation 18 with the .
- Not only Martin Luther, but subsequently William Tyndale, John Calvin, John Knox, John Wesley and a host of other lesser known Reformers saw in Rome the coming of the as prophesied in Scripture. (L. E. Froom 2:528-531)
- "From Conflict to Communion: Lutheran-Catholic Common Commemoration of the Reformation in 2017":
- "1. In 2017, Lutheran and Catholic Christians will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation. Lutherans and Catholics today enjoy a growth in mutual understanding, cooperation, and respect. They have come to acknowledge that unites than divides them: above all, common faith in the Triune God and the revelation in Jesus Christ, as well as recognition of the basic truths of the doctrine of justification.” (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/lutheran-...)
- "16. What happened in the past cannot be changed, but what is remembered of the past and how it is remembered can, with the passage of time, indeed change. Remembrance makes the past present. While the past itself is unalterable, the presence of the past in the present is alterable. In view of 2017, the point is not to tell a different history, but to tell that history ."
- John 17:17—"Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth."
- Pew Research Center:
- About half of U.S. Protestants (%) say both good deeds and faith in God are needed to get into heaven, a historically Catholic position. The other half (%) say that faith alone is needed to attain salvation.
- U.S. Protestants also are split on another issue that played a key role in the Reformation: (%) say the Bible provides all the religious guidance Christians need, a traditionally Protestant belief known as sola scriptura. But (%) say Christians should look for guidance from church teachings and traditions as well as from the Bible, the position held by the Catholic Church.
- Just (%) of all U.S. Protestants affirm both sola fide and sola scriptura. (http://www.pewforum.org/2017/08/31/after-500-years-reformation-era-divis...)
- Ellen White: "The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is . Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today. The doctrines devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The papacy that Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity.... There has been a change; but the change is not in the papacy. Catholicism indeed resembles much of the Protestantism that now exists, because Protestantism has so greatly degenerated since the days of the Reformers.” (The Great Controversy 571)
- "The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world’s history." (148)
- "There was a present truth in the days of Luther—a truth at that time of special importance; there is a present truth for the church today." (143)
- "Those who present the truth for this time should not expect to be received with greater favor than were earlier reformers. The great controversy between truth and error, between Christ and Satan, is to increase in intensity to the close of this world’s history." (144)
Anybody left after Martin to take a stand one more time?
Andrews Academy is now enrolling students in grades 9 - 12 for the 2026/2027 school year. We invite you to join the AA family! You will be blessed by what Andrews Academy has to offer. Students consistently score above state and national levels on standardized testing; they are involved in many spiritual and service activities throughout the school year. Our Seventh-day Adventist school’s mission is to inspire our students to think deeply, live fully, serve unselfishly and to honor God completely. School begins on August 19.Check-In day is August 13. Financial assistance may be available. Call 269-471-3138 for more information or visit https://www.andrews.edu/aa/ and click on “apply today”.
There is no fellowship dinner this Sabbath.
Michigan Advance Partners – Camp Meeting
When thousands of like-minded believers are gathered in the same room with the same purpose: to grow closer to our Lord Jesus, the atmosphere is unique.
This is the atmosphere of camp meeting: all of us together, worshipping our Lord. Christ says that when “two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20). In the Camp Meeting, thousands are gathered together, and Christ is indeed in the midst.
Camp meeting is something to look forward to year after year, for the prayer, and the fellowship, and the revival—but most importantly, for Christ’s presence drawing close to us and our families. Michigan Conference camp meeting would not be possible without Michigan Advance Partners (MAP), which is funded by the faithful giving of Christ’s church. One way to give regularly is to commit 1% of your monthly income to MAP, which will fund camp meeting and other projects and events that we hold close to our hearts.
Today’s loose change will go towards MAP to support camp meeting. You can also give through the Tithe & Offering envelope in the pews or utilize online giving. May the Lord bless you as you give and continue to bless our camp meetings as we seek to draw closer to Him.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Relatable
In this six-session video Bible study (guide sold separately), Louie Giglio explores the fundamental question of what makes us relatable to others. He shows how God can change our perspective on relationships, give us greater purpose in dating and marriage, bring us peace in the midst of conflict, and help us restore relationships that seem broken beyond repair.
Begins June 20 at 10:30 AM in the Pioneer Commons. Everyone is welcome.
- June 27 - “The Man/Woman in the Mirror”
- July 4 - “A God to Call Father”
- July 11 - “The Friend Everyone Longs for”
- July 18 - “Becoming Someone vs. Finding Someone”
- July 25 - “Handshake of Peace”
- August 1 - “Bonus: Why Date?”
- August 8 - “Bonus: Marriage with a Mission”
You are invited to a hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church on June 27, Sabbath, 4:00-5:30 PM. The Old Rugged Cross Church is located at 61041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. A free will offering will help to maintain this historic church where the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” was introduced to the public by the composer. For further information, please contact Melchizedek Ponniah, melponniah@gmail.com, or 269-876-7476.
Sun, Fun, and Faith is returning this summer! Incoming High School Freshman to Outgoing High School Seniors are invited Every Tuesday Night (June 9 - Aug 11) for food, boating, and faith-fueled friendships.
Location and Times Coming soon. Follow @pmcyouthministries on Instagram for more info

