John Calvin had been awakened to numerous, but not all, of the errors taught in the established church of the Dark Ages. He, like other heroes of the Reformation, gratefully recognized and received the light of truth that came to him. He tirelessly helped countless others escape the ruin that he had so thankfully escaped.
Read MoreGeneva became a refuge for hunted reformers from all over western Europe. Calvin remained there for the better part of thirty years while a continual stream of wounded and starving refugees arrived and were welcomed and tenderly cared for.
Read MoreFarel invited Calvin to join with him in the work of strengthening Geneva, emphasizing that, though they had cast off the authority of Rome, they still needed—as individuals—to be fully converted by the power of the Holy Spirit and cared for as a flock. Calvin took this to be a call from Heaven on his life.
Read MoreSuddenly there were vacancies in every kind of position: university professors, authors, artisans, printers, scholars, even courtiers. Their self-imposed exile from their beloved France astonished the papists, who previously had no idea the extent of those who favored the Biblical faith.
Read MoreBeloved, times of testing are just ahead. You may be in the midst of a fiery trial even at this moment. Make sure that your focus is only on Jesus, who is The Overcomer (what it means to be called Israel). If our trust or focus is on anyone, any one, other than Jesus, we are at risk of failing to stand the barrage of testing to come.
Read MoreA group of eager French Reformers decided to strike a bold blow against the superstitious and occult practices of the Catholic mass. They were zealous to jump-start the Reformation in France and catch up to the wonderful progress that Germany and Switzerland had made.
Read MoreAs the numbers of listeners continued to grow, it was deemed safer to meet outside the city. A secluded cave was chosen, and they would travel to it in small companies, by various routes. The Bible was read aloud and it was here that the Lord’s Supper was celebrated for the first time by the Protestants of France.
Read MoreCalvin went from house to house, teaching the Word of Christ, the testimony of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Some houses were castles, and some were cabins. But he was received with great favor and many hearts were won for the Lord! Soon Calvin was back in Paris. He continued his teaching from house to house.
Read MoreHe understood that the heretics rested their faith solely upon the Bible, so he made a decision to study it to see if he could discover the secret of that irrepressible joy. In it he found Christ!
Read MoreCaptivated by the countenance of peace on the face of the one who had been pronounced eternally damned by the church amid the tortures of the flames, he could not help but contrast the faith and courage manifested on the martyr’s face with his own inner despair—and all this while living a life of total obedience to the church!
Read MoreAt the stake, Berquin attempted to speak, but the monks yelled at such a pitch, it was impossible for the dying man’s words to be heard. News of the death of Berquin caused much sorrow to the friends of the Reformation throughout France. But his influence and example were not lost….
Read MoreOur good and kind treatment of others—all others—is an extension of God’s invitation directly to the heart of each person. My relationship with my Savior and King must remain ever before Him for constant refinement. This is the first priority in my life.
Read MoreGod’s Word, the Spirit-breathed Word, goes forth with power to breathe life into a dying soul. Each of us has the choice to believe on that power and claim it in a daily walk with Him. How readily He dispenses His grace to those who will receive it!
Read MoreFor a time, the King Francis himself and the queen mother regarded the Reformation with favor. Thus, victories in Christ multiplied freely across France. But, in keeping with the familiar old pattern of history, severe persecution lay in wait for the French disciples of Christ….
Read MoreWhile much attention was drawn to the Reformation in Germany, and also in Switzerland, God was at work all over. Thank Him for His divine love and mercy towards you, regardless of your inability to see all that He is doing.
Read MoreIf the fledgling Reformation, after achieving a measure of success, had compromised by consenting to procure favor with the world, it would have forfeited the power of God* for the power of man, moving away from the true faith which it proclaimed and making sure of its own destruction.
Read MoreJust after a measure of religious tolerance had come about through Luther’s influence, Rome demanded that there be implicit submission to Roman jurisdiction. She delivered this message by speaking through her priests in Germany. But the Reformers held firmly to their hard-won liberty of conscience. So, a compromise was proposed by Rome as a “favor”. . .
Read MoreThere were ceaseless attempts of the enemy to cause divisions among God’s true people. One method at hand encased a peculiar irony. It seemed the most harmless but is in reality the most destructive. It is the way of compromise!
Read MoreIt was an 18-day battle of words! Only papal secretaries were allowed to take notes. All others present were forbidden, on pain of death, to take notes.
Read MoreAnd as the light of the “gospel of forgiveness through the blood that Jesus freely shed” was spreading beyond the Swiss borders, Rome doubled down on the sale of pardons for money. Also, she secured the cooperation from residents in the papal cantons around Switzerland to identify those who followed the gospel message. Regular examples were made of them as they were publicly burned at the stake.
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