The Edict of Worms

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:03]To understand how truly historic this was is hard to do from where we are today. But on May the 25th, 1521, the edict of Voms was issued by Charles V, the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. In that edict, Martin Luther was branded a heretic and an enemy of the state.

[00:00:20]Luther had made himself unpopular by posting his 95 thesis. But the thing was Luther was right in those thesis and the church of Rome was wrong. Luther maintained the church could not legitimately sell indulgences that is sell pardon for sin and that salvation came through faith alone and Christ alone. The church was making a killing selling pardon for sin saying salvation came by faith and works and was never independent of the church. Think of that. a church insisting salvation could not come outside of the church and actually taking people's money and promising them that the money they gave contributed to their salvation. The emperor's decree stated Luther should be subject to confiscation and loss of body and belongings and all goods fixed and movable, half of which will go to the Lord and the other half to the accusers and denouncers with other punishments as given more fully in the present edict and mandate. Oh, and Charles was sure to say that this was to the honor and praise of God.

[00:01:23]Grotesque. Peter incorrectly said to be the first pope said this. We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29.

[00:01:33]While not a perfect man who is, Luther refused to compromise his faith for anyone. God must be first. Those who disagree with the Bible will have to answer to God for that. So irrespective of what a human being says, take your lead from God. His word is always true.

[00:01:55]John Bradshaw, it is written.