Luther didn’t want to break with the Roman Catholic Church, but being excommunicated from it he broke away from Rome eventually and through his teachings a movement became established.
Luther promoted a belief injustification by faith alone, through Christ alone, based on the Bible alone. 1530 is a date refereed to Lutheranism.
In 1522 it’s been recorded that Luther did not want his followers to use his name to identify themselves.
“Please do not use my name; do not call yourselves Lutherans, but Christians, The doctrine is not mine; I have not been crucified for anyone, Why should I, a miserable bag of worms, give my meaningless name to Christ’s children”
Philip Melanchthon became a Professor at the University of Wittenberg in 1518. Here he met Martin Luther and The intense relationship between Melanchthon and Luther changed from mere members or part of the University to profound friendship.
Melanchthon was quickly persuaded by Luther to join the movement that had become the Reformation.
Returning to Wittenberg in 1521 Luther finds the reform movement that was initiated by his writings had advanced, Other leaders got involved to elevate the movement across Germany.
Melanchthon was an important associate for Luther in negotiations, if Luther could not appear, Melanchthon became the leader of the Protestants movement.
Melanchthon became familiar with [Luthers reformed theology and return he taught Luther Greek.
Motivated by Melanchthon Luther translated the Bible into a German understandable for the common people. this may have taken ten years to complete.
In 1525 he married Katherine of Bora, and their family grew with the addition of five children.
Although Luther’s 95 theses had been responsible for starting the Reformation, he wasn’t much involved in it during his later years.
At the end of his life, Luther turned to letting his views be known pronouncing the pope the Antichrist, press for, the expulsion of Jews from the country.
Luther died on February 18, 1546.
Melanchthon became the spokesman of the Reformation After Luther’s death, and remained an outstanding spokesmen of the German Reformation until his death.
In 1580 a collection of documents was put together by Melanchthon, along with other noteworthy Lutherans, which included Luther’s Small Catechism, Large Catechism, and other theological statements, called The Book of Concord.
To this day Lutherans hold strongly to Martin Luther’s teachings.