Produced by Chuck Greif, Iris Schimandle, Peter Vachuska
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
http://www.pgdp.net
[Illustration: Dr. Martin Luther.]
LIFE OF LUTHER,
WITH
SEVERAL INTRODUCTORY AND CONCLUDING CHAPTERS FROM
GENERAL CHURCH HISTORY.
BY
GUSTAV JUST.
(Translated from the German by S. and H.)
[Illustration]
St. Louis, Mo.
CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE.
Copyright, 1903,
by
CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE,
St. Louis, Mo.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. The Christians of the First Century 1
" II. The Persecutions 8
" III. Constantine and the Spreading of Christianity in
Germany 14
" IV. Popery and Monkery 17
" V. The Forerunners of the Reformation 21
" VI. Luther's Childhood 26
" VII. Luther's Student Days 28
" VIII. Luther in the Cloister 34
" IX. Luther as Teacher 38
" X. Luther the Reformer 43
" XI. Luther the Mighty Warrior 49
" XII. Luther the Staunch Confessor 56
" XIII. The Fanatics and the Peasants' War 64
" XIV. The Colloquy at Marburg 69
" XV. The Augsburg Confession 70
" XVI. Bible, Catechism, and Hymnbook 76
" XVII. Luther's Family Life 82
" XVIII. Luther's Last Days and Death 91
" XIX. Afflictions of the Lutheran Church in Germany
after the Reformation 95
" XX. The Lutheran Church in America 99
MOTTO:
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have
spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow
considering the end of their conversation.
Hebrews 13, 7.
CHAPTER I.
The Christians of the First Century.
1. THE APOSTLES OF THE LORD. When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bid
farewell to His disciples on the Mount of Olives, and ascended into
heaven, He commanded them to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued
with power from on high. In this power they were to go forth into all
the world and bear witness of that which they had seen and heard. He
said unto them: "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and
in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth," Acts 1, 8.
The disciples faithfully executed this command of the Lord; for after
the day of Pentecost upon which they had received the Holy Ghost, they
went forth and proclaimed the Gospel of Christ crucified in Jerusalem,
in Judaea, in the surrounding countries, and in the whole world. They
baptized Jews and heathen, and everywhere founded Christian
congregations. But at once the word of the Lord was fulfilled: "If they
have persecuted me, they will also persecute you," John 15, 20. For the
spreading of Christianity aroused bitter enmity among Jews and Gentiles
against the disciples of the Lord. _James_, the brother of John, was the
first of the apostles to suffer martyrdom at Jerusalem. We are told:
"When the officer, who was to bring him into court, saw how steadfastly
James adhered to his faith in Christ, he was so affected, that he
confessed himself likewise a Christian. Thus both of them were
condemned. While they were being led away he begged James to forgive
him, whereupon the apostle replied, 'Peace be with thee,' and kissed
him." Hereupon both were beheaded at the command of Herod Agrippa.
[Illustration: The Apostle Peter.]
When Herod saw that this pleased the Jews, he had _Peter_ also
apprehended and cast into prison, from which the apostle was
miraculously delivered by an angel. Fearlessly he continued to preach
Christ and founded many congregations in Asia Minor. The legend says
that he was crucified under Emperor Nero at Rome.
[Illustration: The Evangelist Matthew.]
_James_, the Lord's brother, was bishop of the congregation at
Jerusalem. Because of his pious life, he was at first highly esteemed
among the Jews. But finally he also became an object of their hatred.
The legend reports that the high priest led him to the pinnacle of the
temple and there commanded him to deny Christ. When, however, he boldly
confessed his Savior, he was hurled to the ground below. Then the
enraged mob pressed about him in order to stone him to death, when he
cried out upon his knees, "I implore Thee, God Father, for them; for
they know not what they do." Then a tanner stepped up and killed him
with a club.
[Illustration: The Evangelist John.]
_Philip_ is said to have perished in Phrygia, _Bartholomew_ in Asia
Minor, _Thomas_ in India proper, and _Andrew_ in Scythia.
_John_, at first, labored in Jerusalem, and later became pastor of the
congregation at Ephesus. For a time he was banished to the Isle of
Patmos, afterward, however, he was permitted to return to Ephesus. When,
because of his advanced age, he could no longer preach nor walk, he
would have himself carried into the assembly and would always address it
in these words, "Little children, love one another." He died a natural
death, nearly one hundred years of age.
[Illustration: The Apostle Paul.]
Chief of all the apostles was the apostle of the Gentiles, _Paul_.
Although he did not belong to the twelve disciples of the Lord, he was,
nevertheless, directly called and made a chosen vessel of the Lord.
Before his conversion his name was Saul, and he belonged to the strict
sect of the Pharisees. Being an enemy of the Lord's disciples, he was
gratified to see Stephen expire when stoned to death by the Jews. Soon
thereafter he himself became a zealous persecutor of the Christians in
Jerusalem, and wished to continue his cruel work also in Damascus. But
on the way thither he was converted by the Lord and called to be an
apostle. Thenceforth he preached the Gospel of the Savior of sinners,
especially among the Gentiles, and soon many Christian congregations
arose also among them. But he also shared the fate of the other
apostles; he likewise suffered death for the doctrine of Christ. About
61 A. D. he was taken a prisoner to Rome. There he abode two years.
Chained to a soldier he preached the Gospel in that city and wrote many
letters to the congregations which had been founded by him among the
Gentiles. For a short time he regained his liberty, but was imprisoned a
second time. In 67 or 68 A. D. he suffered martyrdom, being beheaded
under Nero.
2. THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS. "And they continued steadfastly in
the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
prayers," Acts 2, 42. This, in a few words, is the picture which the
"Acts of the Apostles" paints of the first Christian congregation at
Jerusalem. The first Christians were diligent and attentive hearers of
God's Word. Thereby they grew in knowledge and in the faith of the
exalted Savior, and in His power they defied all temptations and
persecutions. Through the Word they remained in communion with their
Head, Jesus Christ, and practiced intimate fellowship with each other.
This showed itself in breaking of bread, Holy Communion, and in their
united praying, praising, and giving of thanks.
How intense their love was for their Savior and their brethren, we may
see from the following words in the Acts: "And the multitude of them
that believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of
them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they
had all things common. Neither was there any among them that lacked, for
as many as were possessed of lands and houses sold them and brought the
prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles'
feet; and distribution was made unto every man according as he had
need," Acts 4, 34. 35. They were ready to sacrifice life itself for
their Savior and for each other. After their Lord's example they
practiced charity towards their enemies, and prayed for them. They
obtained favor with God and man, and the Lord added daily to the church
such as should be saved. For many Jews forsook their national faith and
joined the Christian congregation. True, some hypocrites and false
Christians were found among them, as the example of Ananias and Sapphira
plainly shows. As with the congregation at Jerusalem, so with all other
Christian congregations of the first century the word of the apostles
was the only rule and guide of faith and life.
The apostles were the first teachers of the congregations. Together with
the apostles the presbyters and elders, sometimes also called bishops,
presided over the congregations. It was their duty to conduct divine
services and watch over faith and life of the congregations. They were
assisted by the deacons and almoners to whom was entrusted the care for
the poor and the sick. Sunday was chosen by the Christians as their day
of public worship because on this day the Lord Jesus arose from the
dead. At first the congregation assembled at the homes of its members.
It was only later that churches were built for this purpose. At these
services, spiritual hymns and psalms were sung, portions of the Holy
Scriptures were read and explained, and prayers offered. Holy Communion
was celebrated every Sunday, and was received by the entire
congregation.
Strict discipline was practiced in the Christian congregation. If anyone
walked disorderly, he was admonished; if, in spite of this, he continued
impenitent, he was excluded from the Christian congregation as a heathen
and publican, and not received again until he repented.
3. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. At last the word of Jesus was
fulfilled: "For the day shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall
cast a trench about thee and compass thee round, and keep thee in on
every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children
within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another:
because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." The terrible
judgment drew near! The cruel Emperor Nero at that time ruled in Rome.
Under him the Jews rebelled and drove the Romans from their country.
Nero sent his general Vespasian to chastise the rebels. Victoriously he
pressed forward. Soon thereafter Nero died, and Vespasian was recalled
and himself elected emperor. His son Titus was to complete the
chastisement of the Jews. In the spring of 70 A. D. he marched against
Jerusalem with an enormous army and laid siege to the city. His demand
that the Jews surrender, in order to save their city and magnificent
temple, was rejected with scorn by the proud leaders. Titus at once cast
a trench about the city, and bombarded it by means of catapults.
[Illustration: The Destruction of Jerusalem.]
The condition of the city was frightful. It happened to be the time of
the passover, and because of this festival more than two millions of
people had assembled in Jerusalem. They were not at one among
themselves; some were in favor of surrendering to the Romans, others
were determined to resist to the last. The latter gained the ascendency,
and filled with ferocity and desperation they fought against the Romans.
No one dared even to speak of surrender, because the leaders had
forbidden it under penalty of death. Soon frightful famine and much
other misery arose. Everything was eaten, even the most disgusting
things, as, for instance, the excrements of animals; yes, a woman of
noble birth killed and devoured her own child. Epidemics broke out and
carried off thousands. Because the corpses could not be buried, they
were thrown over the walls and filled the trenches. Yet, in spite of
this, the Jews would not surrender. Then Titus took the city by storm,
and the Romans killed and slaughtered whatever came in their way. The
temple was defended by the Jews with great stubbornness. Titus had
commanded to preserve this building, but a soldier threw a firebrand
into it, and soon the magnificent edifice was enveloped in flames. The
city of Jerusalem was laid even with the ground, according to the word
of the Lord: "Not one stone shall remain upon another," Luke 19, 14.
The siege had lasted four months, and in this time one million of Jews
had perished. The prisoners were led away, some being compelled to fight
with wild beasts in the arena, others being sold into slavery.--But what
had become of the Christians? As the swallows forsake the house whose
walls the masons are tearing down, so the congregation of the Lord had
left Jerusalem before the siege, and had found a refuge in the mountain
village of Pella, on the Dead Sea, on the other side of the river
Jordan.