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Chapter 9 The Reformers "Mighty Men of God The days of the early Reformation were times of great trial. Many gave their life for Christ while some enjoyed a miraculous deliverance. The greatest miracle of that day was seen in the distance that men progressed in biblical understanding. Searching pilgrims crossed from the city of destruction to the very gates of heaven. All the blessings of Christ became theirs in a moment of time. When we consider how utterly difficult it is for modern Christians to lay aside small points of error, we marvel at the brilliant light that suddenly filled the old pioneers of faith. Luther (1483-1546) Martin Luther remains the most recognized leader of the Reformation. His teaching of justification by faith alone is know to all. Unfortunately, many modern teachers say nothing of Luther's other virtues. Some "neologians" would even deny the documented record of Luther's Holy Ghost anointing and his exercise of spiritual gifts. These spiritual manifestations did not detract from the preeminence of Scripture but rather confirmed the Scripture! We read that Luther was "a prophet, evangelist, speaker in tongues, interpreter, in one person, endowed with all nine gifts of the Spirit."34 Luther was a choice vessel in the hand of God and without the mighty gifts of the Holy Ghost he would have failed in his work! --------------------- 34 Pentecost in Church History _____________________ Power Over the Devil (1536) A young girl of 18 years, was tormented by the devil. The advisory would though her down into convolutions whenever she spoke the name of Jesus. Therefore, she was brought to Luther for prayer. After his sermon she again fell prostrate on the ground, while struggling and kicking. Luther laid his hand on the girl's head, repeated the creed, the Lord's prayer, and John 14:12. "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do." He then prayed with the rest of the ministers that God would cast the devil out for Christ's sake. With his foot touching the girl Luther prayed, "Proud devil, thou wouldst, parade, but I will do no such thing. I know that thy head is crushed, and that thou liest prostrate under the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ." After this, Luther turned and left and the girl was taken home. From that time forward she was delivered and was never again taken with a seizure!35 Healing the Sick Today, glib critics inflect their voice in disgust whenever they mention Faith Healers. True ministers of God are often given no more respect than voodoo witch doctors. Well, Jesus said, "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake," and the words of Jesus are now fulfilled. How many false theologians dare admit to the healing ministry of Martin Luther? Which modern doctor of doubt will honestly expound on Luther's testimony of the power of prayer? Luther not only prayed for the sick but also had his life saved through the healing touch of Jesus. He wrote to his wife about his sickness and said, "In one word, I was a dead man" and "had reconciled myself to the grave. . ." Luther wrote that the good prince made his servants "run, ride, fetch, and he exerted himself to the utmost, to obtain (medical) relief for me, but it was not so to be. Your remedy, also, was equally ineffective." Next, Luther's friends prayed the balm of Gilead and "prayed so hard for me to God, that the tears of many people proved successful on my behalf: and I seem to my self to have experienced a new birth . . . God has already wrought a miracle on me this night, and does so still, through the intercession of good people." 36 --------------------- 35 Suppressed Evidences, --Thomas Boys p. 162, Jewish Expositor, May, 1831, pp. 145-153 36 Suppressed Evidence, --Boys, pp. 192-193 _________________________________ The well-known Reformer Philip Melancthon once became mortally ill while traveling. Luther was called to his dyeing friend and upon arriving found Philip about to give up the Ghost. His eyes were set, his understanding was almost gone, his speech and hearing had failed, his face had fallen, he knew no one, and he could no longer eat or drink. Upon seeing this spectacle Luther was filled with shock, and turned to his friends and said, "Blessed Lord, how has the devil spoiled me this instrument!" Then, turning toward the window, he called upon God. Next, he took the hand of Philip, and he said, "Be of good courage, Philip, thou shalt not die . . . He (God) takes pleasure in life, and not in death, . . . trust in the Lord, who is a able to kill, and to make alive." While Luther prayed Philip began to revive and to breathe and gradually recovered his strength and was totally restored to health. The healed Melancthon later wrote to his friend Burcard and said, "I should have been a dead man, had I not been recalled from death itself by the coming of Luther." Luther also wrote of his friend and said, "Philip is very well after such an illness, for it was greater than I had supposed. I found him dead; but, by an evident miracle of God, he lives." 37 Prophetic Utterance Luther prophetically addressed the future on many occasions. He correctly told of many events that would transpire after his death!38 In 1541 Mechum lay (with consumption) at the point of death and wrote his friend Luther a farewell note. However, Mechum later testified that he was "raised up from death, by the mandates, prayers, and letter of the reverend father, Luther." Luther's prayer and letter were prophetic when he said, "May the Lord never permit me to hear of your passage while I remain behind, but make you the survivor. SO I ASK, AND SUCH IS MY WILL, AND MY WILL BE DONE. AMEN. Because, this will seeks the glory of God's name, certainly not my own pleasure or advantage." ------------------------------ 37 ibid. p.196-202, and from the German book, Seckendor, Lib III, ' cxxxii. Add 1.b. and Briefe, 5ter Theil. p. 297-298 + 327 38 ibid. p. 186-191 ___________________________ At a later time, Mechum again fell gravely ill and besought Luther to release him to death. Nevertheless, he again recovered and came to live two months longer than Luther. Upon Luther's death Mechum fully understood the power behind Luther's words and wrote, "I certainly am very much struck." Luther died February 18th, 1546 and Mechum died on April 7th. William Tyndale In the early 1500s, the Englishmen William Tyndale became inflamed with an earth changing vision. He believed that all men should have the Scripture in their native tongue. Privileged scholars were already reading the Bible in the classical languages and thereby, finding conversion but Tyndale wanted to make salvation available to everyone. He knew that if the Scriptures were read, men would believe and be saved. Therefore, his mission in life became the translation and making of an English Bible. The organized church violently opposed his work and desperately tried to stop him. As a result, Tyndale fled from England while continuing his work. During his first printing of his New Testament, a spy discovered portions of his Bible in a German printer's. Officers were dispatched to apprehend Tyndale but he was not there. The officials next set out for his safe house but Tyndale, being forewarned fled with his books in hand. He slipped around his pursuers while returning to the printers and bailed together the incomplete Bibles. He then loaded all into a small boat and drifted down the German river for six days. Like Moses in his little ark -- adrift in a hostile land and yet, in this little boat was the Gospel of deliverance. Tyndale knew the pages of his Bible were precious and understood that if Englishmen read the Scriptures they would find Christ and freedom from their chains of sin. Ultimately, Tyndale was betrayed, strangled and burned but not before he gave us the most precious gift in this world -- The Word of God. William Tyndale lived during the time of Luther and visited him. We have no record of Tyndale exercising Pentecostal gifts, as did Luther. However, Tyndale left us a record of his inner conversion and his powerful Evangelical teachings. He ministered in the apostolic office of Teacher, for which we own him a unique debt of thanks. His work became the foundation of the King James translation that appeared over 70 years later. Tyndale often included comments next the text of his Bible. His notes testify of the works of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit. The following excerpts are taken from Tyndale's translation and attached notes. Saint Paul said, "The gifts# of the spirit are given to every man to profit the congregation." (I Corinthians 12:7) (Tyndale's N.T.) #Tyndale's added note, "The gifts of the spirit are given us too as service to our brethren." Tyndale translated Saint John as saying, "And ye have an ointment# of the Holy Ghost, and ye know all things." (I John 2:20) (Tyndale NT) #Tyndale's added note, Ointment: that is knowledge of the truth and all the gifts of the spirit. While Tyndale was quick to reject the garish and bazaar miracles of the organized church, (i.e. weeping idols, moving idols, and etc.) he accepted true miracles as a token or proof of the true Gospel. Next to his translation of Hebrews 2:4 Tyndale added, "Miracles are called signs because they be a sing-token and an evident proof that the thing that is preached is God's Word." The Historian J.H. Merle described Tyndale as a man "anointed with the Spirit of God" 39 The Evangelicals of Tyndale's day are described as men "baptized of the Holy Ghost." 40<\sup> A man named Pykas "bought a Tyndale New Testament, and read it thoroughly many times. His heart was totally changed. 'We must be baptized by the Holy Ghost,' he said, and these words passed like a breath of life over his simple-minded hearers."41 --------------------------------- 39 The Reformation in England, -- J. H. Merle d'Aubigné, 1853, Reprint by Banner of Truth, ISBM 085151 486 3, V. 1, pg 190 40 ibid., pg. 423 41 ibid., pg. 352 ________________________________ Powerful Presbyterians The Presbyterian Hall of Faith A One Man Army (1505-1572) John Knox was an eminent wrestler with God in prayer, and like a prince prevailed. The Queen Regent herself had given him this testimony, when upon a particular occasion she said that she was more afraid of his prayers than of an army of ten thousand men. He was likewise fervent and moving in his preaching. He prophesied many events and these were remarkably accomplished. John Knox the Prophet While a prisoner in the castle of St. Andrews, he foretold both the manner of the castles surrender, and of his deliverance from the French galleys. When the French army twice discomfited the lords of the congregation, Knox assured them that God would ultimately prosper the work of Reformation. Again, when Queen May refused to come to preaching, he sent word that she would yet be obliged to hear the Word of God whether she would or not. This came to pass during her arraignment in England. At another time, Knox rebuked the Queens husband saying, "Have you for the pleasure of that dainty dame, cast the psalm-book into the fire? The Lord shall strike both the head and tail." Therefore, Both King and Queen died violent deaths. An Anointed Preacher! Though Knox became old and "very week in body, he would not refrain from preaching, it became necessary for his servant to support him as he entered the church; when in the pulpit, he had to rest before he could preach, but before he ended his sermon he became so vigorous and active, that he was like to have broken the pulpit to pieces." Gifts of the Holy Spirit Mr. Thomas Smeaton spoke of Knox at his death and said, "I know not if God ever place a more godly and great spirit in a body so little and frail. I am certain, that there can scarcely be found another in who more gifts of the Holy Ghost, for the comfort of the Church of Scotland, did shine . . ." 42 Robert Garnock, (about 1679) Robert Garnock wrote of a field preaching and communion service that he once attended. There, he saw the manifest presence of Christ. Robert recalled, "In reference to the three wonderful days of the Lord's presence at East Nisbet in the Merse; that was the greatest communion, (lords supper) I suppose, these twenty years; I got there what I will never forget while I live. Glory to His sweet name that ever there was such a day in Scotland; His work was wonderful to me, both in spirituals and temporals. Oh! that I could get Him praised and magnified for it. He (the Lord) was seen that day sitting at the head of His table, and His spikenard 'sending forth a pleasant smell.' Both good and bad were made to cry out, and some to say, with the disciples, 'It is good for us to be here.' They would have been content to have stayed there; and I thought it was a heaven begun to be in that place." 43 --------------------------------- 42 The Scots Worthies, -- John Howie, 1775 and 1781, Reprint -- Rev. W.H. Carslaw 1870, pp 52, 57-58, 58, 63 43 ibid. p. 459 ___________________________ Thomas Hog, (about 1670) Mr. Hog went to see a gracious woman who was afflicted both in body and mind. He prayed, "O Lord, rebuke this temptation, and we in thy name rebuke the same." Immediately the woman was fully restored. 44 Robert Bruce (1554-1631) It was the custom of Robert Bruce to go out for private prayer after his first sermon. On one occasion a waiting nobleman sent to ask if a second sermon was planned. The nobleman was informed. "I think he shall not come out this day, for I overheard him say to some one, 'I protest I will not go unless thou goest with me.' " However, Bruce shortly came out alone. He then ministered a powerful message with much evidence and demonstration of the Spirit. It was easy for his hearers to discern that Bruce had been in the mount with God. More properly, he had come out with God whom he had first met in private. Robert Bruce was also a man who had the spirit of discerning future events. He prophetically spoke of several things that afterward came to pass. Also, in obedience to Scripture he prayed for the sick. After prayer, the sick were fully restored to health. Bruce was known as a wrestler with God, and had more than ordinary familiarity with Him. 45 ---------------------------- 44 ibid. p. 564 45 ibid. pp. 147+148 _________________________ John Welch (1570-1622) A young nobleman was boarding in John Welch's house while receiving his education. This young man "fell ill of a grievous sickness, and after he had been long wasted by it, closed his eyes and expired, to the apprehension of all spectators; and was therefore taken out of his bed, and laid on a pallet on the floor, that his body might be more conveniently dressed. This was to Mr. Welch a very great grief, and therefore he stayed with the body fully three hours, lamenting over him with great tenderness. After twelve hours, the friend brought in a coffin, where into they desired the corpse to be put, as the custom was; but Mr. Welch desired that, for the satisfaction of his affections, they would forbear for a time; which they granted, and returned not till twenty-four hours after his death. Then they desired with great importunity, that the corpse might be coffined and speedily buried, the weather being extremely hot; yet he persisted in his request, earnestly begging them to excuse him once more, so they left the corps upon the pallet for full thirty-six hours; but even after all that, though he was urged not only with great earnestness, but displeasure, they were constrained to forbear for twelve hours more. After forty-eight hours were past, Mr. Welch still held out against them; and then his friend, perceiving that he believed the young man was not really dead, but under some fit, proposed to him for his satisfaction, that trial should be made upon his body by doctors and surgeons, if possibly any spark of life might be found in him; and with this he was content. So the physicians were set to work, who pinched him with pinchers in the fleshly parts of his body, and twisted a bow-string about his head with great force; but no sign of life appearing in him, the physicians pronounced him stark dead, and then there was no more delay to be made. yet Mr. Welch begged of them once more that they would but step into the next room for an hour or two, and leave him with the dead youth; and this they granted. Mr. Welch fell down before the pallet, and cried to the Lord with all his might, and sometimes looked upon the dead body, continuing to wrestle with the Lord, till at length the dead youth opened his eyes, and cried out to Mr. Welch, who he distinctly knew, 'O Sir, I am all whole, but my head and leg;' and these were the places they had sorely hurt with their pinching. When Mr. Welch perceived this, he called upon his friends; and showed them the dead young man restored to life again, to their great astonishment." 46 ---------------------- 46 ibid., pp 132-133 __________________________ Some Walked the High Road The Swiss reformer Zwingli disappoints us because of his persecution of independent Anabaptists. Modern Calvinists love him for his doctrine while giving fewer honors to Zwingli's hand-picked replacement. This replacement was M. Heinrich Bullinger (1504-1575) who was an Evangelical in conduct and heart. He was a man of charitable works and Christ-like actions that did not persecute his enemies. Rather, he blessed them and fed them. After assuming Zwingli's office Bullinger freely dispensed food, clothing, and money from gifts and how own his small income. He cared for widows and orphans, strangers in exile and people of other creeds. Bullinger entertained persecuted brethren for weeks and months in his own house, or helped them find the means of travel. He received with open arms fugitive Protestants from Italy, France, England, and Germany, and made Zurich an asylum of religious liberty. In the mid 1500s he constantly spoke out in behalf of the persecuted Huguenots, Waldenses and Reformed congregation in Paris. Bullinger's teaching clearly reflected a born again heart and true follower of Christ. 47 This same Bullinger possessed a vision for world Missions and God's call to preach to all people! He was Evangelical, born again, and sanctified in living. Further, his writings reflected the sentiments of today's PENTECOSTALS! Bullinger said, "Those who shall have believed in me, (Christ) shall cast out devils, not in their own name but in mine; shall speak with new tongues; shall drive away serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. When these things are accomplished, a greater miracle is performed in men's minds, though a hidden one, Avarice, lust, ambition, hatred, wrath, malice, are to the mind deadly poisons and diseases; these they shall drive away in my name, and do it constantly. But, on account of the weak, and those who are slow to believe, the former (physical miracles) also shall sometimes be done, that even the dullest may perceive that in them is the Spirit, mighty beyond human power." Miracles, Healings, Tongues! Bullinger believed the gifts of the spirit were to be present in every generation. He said, "If, however, we refer these thing (deliverances) to the body, they are wrought by a miracle both in the teachers and in the disciples themselves. For believers, through the power of Christ in who they believed, drove out and overthrew the devil, and were accustomed to speaking with new tongues -- both the Lord's disciples, and the disciples of the Lords' disciples." Bullinger further says, "To this the Acts of the Apostles bear witness. Ecclesiastical History bears witness to the same. Lastly the present times bear witness; wherein, through confidence in the name of Christ, numbers, greatly afflicted and shattered with disease, are restored to health." 48 Bullinger's words sound more like those of a modern healing evangelist than the writings of an ancient Reformer! Why? Unbelieving professors of doubt have suppressed the record of truth. Nonetheless, God's Word cannot be denied. Jesus is still the same yesterday today and forever! ----------------------------- 47. History of the Christian Church, --Schaff, V. 8, pp. 48 Suppressed Evidences, --Boys, 1832, p. 153. Bullinger's Works, V.7, col. 272 on Mark 16, -- Leyden 1706 ________________________
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