Andrew the Apostle

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”  He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). -John 1:35-42

The Brother of Peter (Simon) also an apostle, Andrew was a fisherman with his brother and the brothers James and John (sons of Zebedee). He was the frist disciple and originally a disciple of John the Baptizer. Tradition has it that after the resurrection he preached in Scythia (Ukraine and southern Russia). He is the patron saint of Russia. He was crucified spread Eagle in Achaia (southern Greece), where he also preached. That is why Scotland has the St. Andrew's cross.

Clement of Rome

Clement of Rome (?-99) was the first Apostolic Father of the Church. He might be who Paul mentioned in Philippians 4:3, and was the successor to Peter. He is known mostly for his writings to the new Christian churches.

Sola Fide

Martin of Tours



Saint Martin (316 - Nov 8, 397) as the bishop of Tours. His shrine in France was the most visited sop for pilgrimages on the way to Santiago de Compostela (in Spain). He is one of the most well known early church saints because his life was recorded by a contemporary (Sulpicius Severus).

Martin was born to pagan parents, but converted to Christianity early in life, against his parents wished (Christianity was legalized in 313). He joined the Roman army when he was 15. Once while on patrol, he saw a freezing beggar and cut his cloak in two with his sword to give half to the poor man. After his service, he became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers, who was a chief proponent of Trinitariansm and opponent of Arianism. Martin continued this apposition to Arainism in his ministry.

Martin Chemnitz

Martin Chemnitz (Nov 9, 1522 – Apr 8, 1586), was the man who Compiled the Book of Concord and is known as the Last Reformer. He is also known as as "the Other Martin." A common saying is, "If Martin [Chemnitz] had not come along, Martin [Luther] would hardly have survived." Besides his compilation, which defined what it meant (and means) to be Lutheran, Chemnitz was a prolific writer of theological treatises and multiple documents about church government and oversight.

Reformation Day, Halloween, and All Saints' Day

This time of year there seems to always be confusion about what holiday/holidays we are supposed to be celebrating. Many Lutherans boycott Halloween (because they think it is a pagan holiday) and call it reformation day instead.  To clear the air, here is what is the holidays this time of year are:

All Saints Day (Also known as all hallows day) is observed on November 1 and has the purpose of celebrating, remembering, and honoring all of the saints (hallowed, or holy people) in the Church throughout history who have died. Liturgically, it begins the evening of October 31, with Vespers.

Halloween is shortened from All Hallow's Eve (or All Saints Day Eve).  Hallow is a word not used often, but it is still used sometimes. We talk about hallowed halls of an old institution, or in the Lord's Prayer, when we pray "Hallowed by Thy Name".  Therefore, Halloween just means the day before the day we celebrate all of the holy people.

Reformation Day is also celebrated on October 31 and is the commemoration of when Martin Luther nailed the 95 thesis to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517 (almost 497 years ago), starting the reformation.

Simon (the Zealot) the Apostle

Little is recorded of him aside from his name. Tradition has it that he Joined Thaddeus (Jude/Judas/Judah son of James) in Persia (Iran) where they were both martyred. He might have been either crucified or more likely hacked to death.

Thaddaeus (Judah/Jude/Judas, son of James) the Apostle

Tradition has it that he preached in Persia, where he joined Simon the Zealot and was killed with him.

Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatius of Antioch (c.35-110) was an apostolic church father. He was a student of John the Apostle and was known to talks, write, and emphasizes like John. He frequently quoted Matthew. He was martyred by being fed to wild animals (probably lions).

The Lord's Supper

Jerome of Stridonium

Jerome of Stridonium (c.347–Sep 30, 420) was a church father who one of the four great Latin Fathers, and so one of the Doctors of the Church. He is best known for his translation of the Old Testament Bible into Latin, which is called the Vulgate as well as his many commentaries.

Matthew (Levi son of Alphaeus) the Apostle

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. -Mark 2:14

Matthew was a 1st-century Galilean, the son of Alpheus. During the Roman occupation (which began in 63 BC with the conquest of Pompey), Matthew collected taxes from the Hebrew people for Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. His tax office was located in Capernaum. Jews who became rich doing that were despised and considered traitors. wrote the Gospel of Matthew. Don't know where he preached after Jesus.

Cyprian of Carthage

Cyprian of Carthage (Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus) (c.200-Sep 14, 258) was classically trained and converted to Christianity in his middle age. He was influenced by Tertullian (who coined the terms "trinity" and "three persons with one substance") and eventually died a martyr. He was one of the Latin Church fathers and taught that there was no salvation outside of the Church.

The Lord's Supper

Gregory the Great

Gregory the Great (c.540 - 604) was a church father who was one of the Great Latin Fathers, and the last of the eight doctors of the church.  He was best known for developing the liturgy, Gregorian chants, commentaries, sermons, and is credited for the start of medieval church. Because of this, he is known as the "Father of Christian Worship".

Augustine of Hippo

Augustine of Hippo (Nov 13, 354 - Aug 28, 430) is a church father who was one of the four great Latin fathers, so one of the eight doctors of the church. He is best known for writing his Confessions and City of God. He also helped to start the idea of Just War Theory and documented the doctrine of original sin, total depravity, and predestination for the first time.  He was influenced by Ambrose, mother Monica.

Original Sin

Sola Gratia

The Lord's Supper

Bartholomew (Nathanael) the Apostle

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him,“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” -John 1:45-49

Tradition has it he was martyred either in Derbent, north of present day Badu on the Caspian sea, or in what is now India by being flayed or skinned alive and then beheaded.

Johann Gerhard

Johann Gerhard (Oct 17, 1582 – Aug 17, 1637) studied theology and philosophy (and a couple years of medicine) and graduated in 1605.  By 1616, when he was only 33 years old, he became the senior theological professor at Jena and was soon considered the greatest theologian of his time. He was also a prolific author.

Gerhard helped to develop Lutheran scholasticims during the Lutheran High Orthodoxy period, which lasted from 1600 to 1685. The main purpose of this was to educate people to defend the faith, especially against the Jesuits at the time.

One interesting thing that he contributed was the seven duties of a pastor in his "Commonplaces: Locus on the Ministry"

1. Preaching the heavenly Word
2. Administering the sacraments
3. Praying for the flock entrusted to him
4. Honorable managers of their life and behavior
5. Take care of the administration of church discipline
6. Preserve ecclesiastical rights
7. Take care of the poor and visit the sick

Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Lawrence (225-258) was one of the seven deacons in ancient Rome that were martyred under Emperor Valerian on August. Not much is really known about his life and ministry, but there are many legends about miracles he performed and his connection to the Holy Grail.

James (son of Zebedee) the Apostle

And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. -Matthew 4:21-22

He was the brother of John (son of Zebedee) who was also an Apostle. He was a fisherman with his brother and brothers Peter (Simon) and Andrew.  He preached to the Jews and was beheaded in AD44 under Herod Agrippa I, making him the first Apostle to be martyred.

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword -Acts 12:1-2

Irenaeus of Lyons

Irenaeus of Lyons (?-c.202) was the earliest of the non-apostolic church fathers. He was a disciple of Polycarp (who was a student of John). He was best known for his book Against Heresies, in which he argues against Gnosticism.

Sola Fide

The Lord's Super

Cyril of Alexandria

Cyril of Alexandria (c.378–444) was a church father and a prominent figure during the council of Ephesus in 431(the fourth ecumenical council) His early arguments were against Arians and in support of Nicaea, but he is best known for his vehement disagreement with and arguments/writings against Nestorius.

Original Sin

Sola Fide

Justification by Faith is the Key to Understand Scripture and Distinguish Between Law & Gospel

The Lord's Super

Boniface

Boniface (c. 675 – June 5, 754) was an Anglo-Saxon missionary to the Frankish Empire during the 8th century (i.e. a Missionary to Germans). Some traditions also claim that Boniface invented the use of the Christmas tree.