The 500th Anniversary The 500th Anniversary of Luther’s Confession at of Luther’s Confession at “Here I Stand” the Diet of Worms “Here I Stand” the Diet of Worms Sunday, April 18 Sunday, April 18

Luther’s Answer at the Diet of Worms: Luther’s Answer at the Diet of Worms: It could have all ended the evening of April 18, 1521. nor right to go against conscience. I cannot It could have all ended the evening of April 18, 1521. nor right to go against conscience. I cannot The sun was beginning to set on the city of Worms. do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me, The sun was beginning to set on the city of Worms. do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me, The heat was stifling in the packed room of the Amen” (LW 32:112–13). The heat was stifling in the packed room of the Amen” (LW 32:112–13). bishop’s palace where emperor, electors and At this bold confession, the room erupted in noise. bishop’s palace where emperor, electors and At this bold confession, the room erupted in noise. German princes all waited with anticipation to hear Some rejoiced; some demanded fire! Yet, in the German princes all waited with anticipation to hear Some rejoiced; some demanded fire! Yet, in the the answer Martin Luther would bring. Would Luther midst of such commotion, the truth of Jesus Christ the answer Martin Luther would bring. Would Luther midst of such commotion, the truth of Jesus Christ recant? Would he retract what he had written and rang forth. The gates of Hades had not prevailed recant? Would he retract what he had written and rang forth. The gates of Hades had not prevailed said against abuses in the church and against papal over the confession of the Gospel. The proclamation said against abuses in the church and against papal over the confession of the Gospel. The proclamation tyranny? Most of all, would he give up on the Gospel of justification by grace through faith on account of tyranny? Most of all, would he give up on the Gospel of justification by grace through faith on account of he had preached and taught, giving comfort and Christ’s work alone did not bend to spiritual tyranny. he had preached and taught, giving comfort and Christ’s work alone did not bend to spiritual tyranny. certainty to consciences in Christ? certainty to consciences in Christ? 500 Years Later: 500 Years Later: “Martin, answer clearly and without any double-talk: Today, we stand in the footsteps of Martin Luther “Martin, answer clearly and without any double-talk: Today, we stand in the footsteps of Martin Luther Do you or do you not recant your books and the 500 years later. We stand boldly, proclaiming the Do you or do you not recant your books and the 500 years later. We stand boldly, proclaiming the errors in them?” If Luther were to recant and admit One who has called us out of darkness into His errors in them?” If Luther were to recant and admit One who has called us out of darkness into His that he was wrong, all would be well before the marvelous light. We stand boldly, renouncing the that he was wrong, all would be well before the marvelous light. We stand boldly, renouncing the emperor and the Roman Catholic Church. On the devil and all his works and all his ways. We stand, emperor and the Roman Catholic Church. On the devil and all his works and all his ways. We stand, other hand, if he did not recant, his own life would by the grace of God, steadfast and ready to suffer other hand, if he did not recant, his own life would by the grace of God, steadfast and ready to suffer be at risk. He could be burned as a heretic. all rather than fall away. We do not stand on Luther, be at risk. He could be burned as a heretic. all rather than fall away. We do not stand on Luther, This was it: recant or stand firm. With beads of but we will gladly stand with him, firm on the This was it: recant or stand firm. With beads of but we will gladly stand with him, firm on the sweat on his face, Luther responded: testimony of the Holy Scriptures to confess the sweat on his face, Luther responded: testimony of the Holy Scriptures to confess the saving Gospel of Christ, our Good Shepherd, who saving Gospel of Christ, our Good Shepherd, who “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the died and rose, in whose name is forgiveness of sins died and rose, in whose name is forgiveness of sins Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust for all people. Here we stand; we can do no other. for all people. Here we stand; we can do no other. either in the pope or in councils alone, since it either in the pope or in councils alone, since it God help us. Amen. God help us. Amen. is well known that they have often erred and is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Find more at lcms.org/here-i-stand-sunday, contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Find more at lcms.org/here-i-stand-sunday, Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is including giving opportunities for providing a Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is including giving opportunities for providing a captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will thank offering. captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will thank offering. not retract anything, since it is neither safe not retract anything, since it is neither safe

From the Concordia Historical Institute Collection From the Concordia Historical Institute Collection