Introduction
Many Christians today belong to Protestant communities, one of the earliest being the Lutheran Church. But a fundamental question arises: Who founded it? When and why? And most importantly—did Jesus Christ give Martin Luther authority to establish a new church?
The answer takes us deep into the history of the Protestant Reformation, the teachings of the early Church, and the biblical foundation of Christ’s one true Church.
1. The Founder of the Lutheran Church
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The Lutheran Church was founded by Martin Luther (1483–1546), a German Augustinian monk, priest, and professor of theology.
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Luther broke away from the Catholic Church after publishing his 95 Theses in 1517, criticizing abuses in indulgence practices.
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The movement officially took shape in the 1520s and 1530s, when Luther and his followers rejected papal authority, embraced “Scripture Alone” (Sola Scriptura), and redefined doctrines such as justification, sacraments, and authority.
👉 Thus, the Lutheran Church was not founded by Jesus Christ or the Apostles, but by Martin Luther in the 16th century.
2. Why Luther Established the Church
Martin Luther’s main motivations:
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Doctrinal Disagreements: He believed the Catholic Church had corrupted the Gospel with “works-based” salvation.
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Authority of Scripture: Luther rejected the Magisterium, advocating for “Bible Alone.”
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Rejection of Papal Authority: He denied that the Pope was the successor of Peter with binding authority.
However, Luther himself never intended to create a new denomination. He wanted reform within the Catholic Church. But once excommunicated (1521, Edict of Worms), he and his followers formed what became the Lutheran Church.
3. Did Christ Give Luther Authority to Establish a Church?
The Bible says otherwise.
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Christ gave authority to Peter and the Apostles, not to Luther:
“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18).
“He who hears you hears me.” (Luke 10:16). -
The Church is apostolic, built on the foundation of the Apostles (Ephesians 2:20). Luther lived 1,500 years after Christ—far removed from apostolic authority.
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No biblical basis exists for one man, centuries later, to start a new church apart from the apostolic succession Christ established.
👉 Therefore, Jesus Christ did not give Martin Luther the authority to found the Lutheran Church.
4. Witness of the Early Church Fathers
The earliest Christians upheld unity with the bishop and apostolic succession, not independent church creation:
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St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 AD):
“Where the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” (Letter to the Smyrnaeans, 8). -
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 180 AD):
“It is possible, then, for everyone in every church… to trace the tradition of the apostles which has been made known to us through the succession of bishops.” (Against Heresies, 3.3.3).
👉 These testimonies show the early Church was Catholic and apostolic—not Lutheran or Protestant.
5. Catholic Church Teaching (CCC)
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CCC 811: The Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.
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CCC 816: The sole Church of Christ “subsists in the Catholic Church.”
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CCC 882: The Pope, as successor of Peter, has supreme authority given by Christ.
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CCC 834: Particular churches (like dioceses) remain Catholic only when in communion with Rome.
👉 According to Catholic teaching, breakaway movements like Lutheranism lack divine foundation.
6. Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Catholic Church | Lutheran Church |
|---|---|---|
| Founder | Jesus Christ (c. 30 AD) | Martin Luther (1517 AD) |
| Authority | Apostolic Succession (Peter & Apostles) | Luther’s theology, rejection of papacy |
| Key Principle | Scripture + Tradition + Magisterium | Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide |
| Sacraments | 7 Sacraments | 2 Sacraments (Baptism & Eucharist, with modified theology) |
| Worship | Eucharistic sacrifice (Mass) | Service of the Word & Communion (varies) |
| Continuity | Continuous since 1st century | Began in 16th century Reformation |
Conclusion
The Lutheran Church was founded by Martin Luther in 1517, not by Jesus Christ. While his concerns about corruption were valid, his separation from Rome led to division rather than authentic reform.
Jesus Christ gave authority to Peter and the Apostles, which continues in the Catholic Church through apostolic succession. No biblical, historical, or theological basis grants Martin Luther—or any reformer—the authority to found a new church.
✝️ Thus, the Catholic Church remains the one true Church of Christ, while Lutheranism and other Protestant denominations are later human-founded movements.
Read also:
- How many protestant churches are in the World today and when did it started?
- Did God Establish Many Churches? Why Thousands of Christian Denominations Exist Today
- Most Protestants are claiming that their church is the true church founded by Jesus Christ. Do they have strong evidence to support their claim?
- Why Protestants are afraid of history?
- 🕊️ Out of the 45,000+ Christian denominations in the world today, who has the real Apostolic Succession?
- Do Protestants Have Apostolic Connection? A Biblical and Historical Investigation into Apostolic Succession
- 🕊️ How to Distinguish Fake Churches from the True Church Established by Jesus Christ
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