"These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."

Acts 17:11

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Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen - Marriage Speech (Feb. 1559)

Children's Ambient Visual Audio Bible (KJV), Child Narrator

JOHN NEWTON QUOTES ON SALVATION FROM THE POWER OF SIN: "Not only the guilt, but the love of sin, and its dominion, are taken away, subdued by grace, and cordially renounced by the believing pardoned sinner." READ MORE QUOTES >>

"Consider that the trials and troubles, the calamities and miseries, the crosses and losses that you meet with in this world, are all the hell that ever you shall have."

Thomas Brooks

WILLIAM TYNDALE QUOTE ON FAITHFULLY PREACHING THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL "Expound the Law truly ... to condemn all flesh, and prove all men sinners ... and then as a faithful minister, set abroach the mercy of our Lord Jesus, and let the wounded consciences drink of the water of Him." CLICK TO READ >>

"The light causes not darkness, but the absence of the light; so the Word causes not heresies, but the absence of the Word."

Elnathan Parr

St. John Chrysostom: ON SCRIPTURE "But some one will say, 'it is to the priests that these charges are given' ... But that the apostle gives the same charge to the laity, hear what he says in another epistle to other than the priesthood: 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.'" CLICK TO READ >>

"There ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"

Numbers 11:26-29

"One circumstance appears plain from the Registers of their persecutors, and is well worthy of being noted: that these martyrs do not appear to have held a variety of doctrines and opinions, as the Roman Catholics contend is always the consequence of leaving that communion; their doctrines were uniform; and scarcely one that is not now held by every true Protestant." CLICK TO READ >>

"Our system was never intended to promote the glory of priests and pastors, but it is calculated to educate manly Christians, who will not take their faith at second-hand."

Charles H. Spurgeon

ON BURNING BIBLES: "When they burned the New Testament they pretended a zeal very fervent to maintain only God�s honor, which they said with protestation, was obscured by translation in English, causing much error. But the truth plainly to be said, this was the cause why they were afraid, least laymen should know their iniquity." A Lollard (1450ad) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - READ ONLINE: A Proper Dialogue between a Gentleman and Husbandman each complaining to other their miserable calamite, through the ambition of the clergy. A 15th century Apology written by an English Lollard. HAIL & FIRE REPRINTS 2009

"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do His will, He shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

John 7:16-17

QUOTATIONS: WORDS OF WISDOM

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Martin Luther Quotes (1483-1546)

Martin Luther on the Holy Scriptures:

Martin Luther commenting on the authority of the Holy Bible, God's Infallible Word, and the necessity and efficacy of carefully studying it directly (Sola Scriptura). Reference Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:14-17; "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation." Psalm 119:99 and 119:98-105.

"My best and Christian counsel is, that all should draw from this spring or well-head; that is, should read the Bible diligently. For he who is well grounded and exercised in the text will be a good and perfect theologian; since one saying or text from the Bible is better than many glosses and commentaries, which are not strong and sound, and do not stand the enemy's thrust." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

"Through so many commentaries and books the dear Bible is buried, so that people do not look at the text itself. It is far better to see with our own eyes than with other people's eyes." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

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Martin Luther on Various Topics:

"The Holy Spirit cheers us, and teaches us to despise death and all dangers. He says (in us), 'If God wills not that I should live, then I will die; if He wills not that I should be rich, I will be poor.' But the evil spirit saddens and terrifies, at the last, after making secure and self-satisfied. Joyfulness comes from God, depression from the devil." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: Romans 8:28; Matthew 10:2.

"Where sin is not acknowledged, there is no help or remedy; for he who thinks himself whole when he is sick seeks no physician." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31; Luke 13:3.

"Many believe for my sake. But those only believe rightly who would remain steadfast in their faith, if they heard (which God forbid) that I had denied and apostatized. These believe not in Luther, but in Christ. The Word possesses them, and they possess the Word. Luther they can let go, be he a saint or a villain. God can speak as well through Balaam as through Isaiah, through Caiaphas as through Peter. Yea, He can speak by an ass. I myself know nothing of Luther; will know nothing of him. I preach nothing of him; only of Christ." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

"Human reason, with all its wisdom, can bring it no further than to instruct people how to live honestly and decently in the world, how to keep house, build, etc., things learned from philosophy and heathenish books. But how they should learn to know God and His dear Son, Christ Jesus, and to be saved, this the Holy Spirit alone teaches through God's Word; for philosophy understands nothing of divine matters. ... faith is a thing in the heart, having its being and substance by itself, given of God as His proper work, not a corporal thing, that may be seen, felt or touched." – Martin Luther

Source: "God's Word and God's Work" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: "We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:12-14.

"A lie is like a snow-ball. The longer it is rolled, the larger it is." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

"We must know how to teach God's Word aright, discerningly, for there are diverse sorts of hearers. Some are struck with fear in the conscience, are perplexed, and awed by their sins, and, are penitent; these must be comforted with the consolations of the Gospel. Others are hardened, obstinate, stiff-necked, rebel-hearted; these must be affrighted by the law, by examples of God's wrath: as the fires of Elijah, the deluge, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the downfall of Jerusalem. ... Therefore, it is but labor lost (however familiar and loving Christ be figured unto us), except we first be humbled through the acknowledgment of our sins, and so yearn after Christ." – Martin Luther

Source: "God's Word and God's Work" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: "The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Galatians 3:24.

"The sick, needing a physician, welcome (Christ); but he that is well, does not care for Him; as we see by the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:22-28, who felt her own and her daughter's necessity and therefore ran after Christ and in nowise would suffer herself to be denied or sent away from Him." – Martin Luther

Source: "God's Word and God's Work" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: Matthew 9:12 and 7:7-11, John 6:37 and Hebrews 11:6.

"Real believers are always thinking they believe not, therefore they are fighting, wrestling, striving, and toiling without ceasing, to preserve and increase their faith. Just as good and skillful masters of any art are always seeing and observing that something is lacking in their work, whilst bunglers and pretenders persuade themselves that they lack nothing, but that all they make and do is quite perfect." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12; "Give diligence to make your calling and election sure." 2 Peter 1:10.

"Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam agite, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance. This word cannot be understood to mean sacramental penance, i.e., confession and satisfaction, which is administered by the (Catholic) priests. Yet it does not mean inward repentance only; nay, there is no inward repentance which does not outwardly work diverse mortifications of the flesh." – Martin Luther

Source: "95 Theses: Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences" by Martin Luther - Free Latin-English Parallel.

Reference Scriptures: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." James 2:17; "Do you not know that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:2-4.

"The pope does not intend to remit, and cannot remit any penalties other than those which he has imposed either by his own authority or by that of the Canons. The pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring that it has been remitted by God and by assenting to God's remission." – Martin Luther

Source: "95 Theses: Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences" by Martin Luther - Free Latin-English Parallel.

Reference Scriptures: 1 Timothy 2:5.

"Qui non est crucianus non est Christianus. Whoever is not crucified is not a Christian." – Martin Luther

Reference Scriptures: "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Galatians 5:24.

"No man is to be constrained to faith and the things of faith, but to be drawn by the Word, that believing willingly, he may come spontaneously. Cease to contend by violence for the Gospel. By the Word the church is preserved, and by the Word she is restored." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: Luke 9:51-56.

"We are so shamefully perverse that we are unthankful for our present gifts and goods, and only think of little deficiencies. Let everyone go home and count the gifts which he has; he will find far more gifts than deficiencies; and let him thank God for them." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

"The words of the Lord Christ are the most powerful; they have hands and feet, and overcome all attacks, all subtleties and devices of the wise. Thus we see in the Gospel how Christ, with quite simple, common words, brought to shame the wisdom of the Pharisees, so that they could find no escape from them." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

"Faith is a teacher and a judge, fighting against errors and heresies, judging spirits and doctrines." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: "The Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." John 16:13; also 1 John 4:1.

"It is a terrible evil, that we see daily before our eyes, how eager a thirsty man is to drink, and a hungry man to eat, although a drink of water and a piece of bread can only keep off thirst or hunger an hour or two; whilst on the contrary no one, or scarcely any one, is eager for this most precious Physician, although He tenderly allures all to Him, saying, 'If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink,' and gives food and drink which are imperishable, and endure to eternal life." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

"Where the Gospel is, there is poverty. In olden times men could richly endow whole convents; now they will give nothing. Superstition, false doctrine, and hypocrisy give money enough." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

"A poor woman knitting a pair of stockings in a way of faith does a greater work than Alexander did in conquering the world." – Martin Luther

"Every Christian has the priest's office, and does priestly work." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: "You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. ... You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:5, 9.

"The noble Word brings naturally with it a burning hunger and an insatiable thirst." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

"Let us be liberal and bountiful towards all men, and that without weariness. For it is an easy thing for a man to do good once or twice, but to continue, and not to be discouraged through the ingratitude and perverseness of those to whom he hath done good, that is very hard. Therefore he doth not only exhort us to do good, but also not to be weary in doing good. And to persuade us he addeth: 'For in due season we shall reap if we faint not.' As if he said, 'Wait and look for the eternal harvest that is to come, and then no ingratitude or perverse dealing of men shall be able to pluck you away from well-doing; for in the harvest-time ye shall receive most plentiful increase and fuit of your seed.' Thus, with most sweet words, he exhorteth the faithful to the doing of good works." – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: Galatians 6:9; "That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45.

"A person was once excusing himself by saying 'he would gladly help and serve people, and do them good, but their ingratitude repelled him.' Then Dr. Martin Luther said, 'Benefits and kindnesses should be conferred secretly, not with a view to fame; quietly and without seeking our own enjoyment, for God's sake, and for our neighbor's good.'" – Martin Luther

Source: "Watchwords for the Warfare of Life" by Martin Luther.

Reference Scriptures: "That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45; Galatians 6:9.

"The world bears the Gospel a grudge because the Gospel condemns the religious wisdom of the world. Jealous for its own religious views, the world in turn charges the Gospel with being a subversive and licentious doctrine, offensive to God and man, a doctrine to be persecuted as the worst plague on earth. ... These Jewish-Christian fanatics who pushed themselves into the Galatian churches after Paul's departure, boasted that they were the descendants of Abraham, true ministers of Christ, having been trained by the apostles themselves ... When men claiming such credentials come along, they deceive not only the naive, but also those who seemingly are well-established in the faith. This same argument is used by the papacy. 'Do you suppose that God for the sake of a few Lutheran heretics would disown His entire Church? Or do you suppose that God would have left His Church floundering in error all these centuries?' The Galatians were taken in by such arguments with the result that Paul's authority and doctrine were drawn in question. Against these boasting, false apostles, Paul boldly defends his apostolic authority and ministry. Humble man that he was, he will not now take a back seat. He reminds them of the time when he opposed Peter to his face and reproved the chief of the apostles." – Martin Luther

Source: "Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians" by Martin Luther - Free Online Book.