What is Reformation Day?

The Reformation, at its heart, is about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a call to continually share the good news of the Savior from sin and eternal death with every person in every generation.

Reformation Day, observed annually on October 31, honors Martin Luther’s act of nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on this day in 1517. This event, which challenged the Catholic Church's practices and doctrines, sparked a widespread movement known as the Protestant Reformation. Luther's call for reform, advocating justification by faith alone, was swiftly communicated throughout Germany and beyond, signifying the beginning of significant changes within Christianity.

Dr. Ray Pritchard remarks, "On Reformation Day, we give thanks for Martin Luther’s role in the recovery of the gospel truth. We celebrate our declaration of righteousness in the eyes of God, based solely on what Jesus Christ accomplished through His death and resurrection."

The commemoration of Reformation Day holds particular significance for Protestants as a remembrance of the origin of their faith tradition. It is a day to reflect on the historical importance of the Reformation and its ongoing impact.

Reformation Day in 2023

Reformation Day coincides with October 31, also known as Halloween. In some German states, it is a public holiday, with closures in government and the courts. In the United States, Reformation Sunday is observed on the Sunday before Halloween, which will be October 29 in 2023.

The alignment of Reformation Day with Halloween dates back to the same historical period. October 31 is All Hallows' Eve, the eve of All Saints' Day, which is celebrated on November 1st. As Halloween evolved into a secular celebration, it maintained the same date as the significant religious observance of Reformation Day, leading to their concurrent celebration.

The Meaning and Importance of Reformation Day

The Protestant Reformation heralded a return to the belief in salvation by grace through faith alone, as expressed in Galatians 2:21, and marked a protest against the perceived corruptions within the Roman Catholic Church at the time, including the sale of indulgences and the concept of purgatory.

Martin Luther himself reflected on his spiritual journey and revelation concerning the righteousness of God, which he initially misunderstood. His new understanding of Romans 1:17, that the "just shall live by faith," transformed his view of God from one of fear to one of love and ultimately opened the "gate of heaven" for him.

Thus, Reformation Day is a time to commemorate these insights and the transformation they prompted, which continue to influence Christianity today.