The First Reformers and the Dawn of Religious Liberty

The first reformers were dedicated men of faith, such as John Wycliffe, John Huss, and Jerome, who sought to restore the purity of the gospel while initially remaining within the communion of the Catholic Church4SP 91.2+2. These faithful light-bearers were piously trained from infancy in the bosom of the church and only sought to correct prevailing corruptions and return to the supreme authority of the Scriptures4SP 91.2+2.

Key Early Reformers and Their Contributions 📖

• John Wycliffe: Known as the "morning star of the Reformation," Wycliffe was the first of the great modern reformers4SP 86.1+1. He made the sacred Scriptures the ultimate standard of all law and translated the Bible from Latin into English so the common people could access the truthGC88 245.1+1.

• John Huss: A pioneer in Bohemia who, even while in a dungeon, foresaw the eventual triumph of the true faith over the efforts of the papacy to efface the image of Christ4SP 91.2+1. He traveled through the countryside preaching to eager crowds, stating that he was willing to die for the divine truthGC 101.2.

• Jerome: A close friend of Huss who possessed great learning and fervent piety, Jerome met a similar fate of martyrdom, standing as a faithful light-bearer for the truths he proclaimed4SP 91.2.

• Martin Luther: God raised up Luther to expose the corruption and hypocrisy of the papal churchGW92 57.2. He courageously stood before councils and prelates, answering their traditions with a firm "Thus saith the Lord"GC 136.3+1.

• The Waldenses: These noble reformers existed for centuries, with evidence of their dissent from the pope dating back to the year 553ARSH November 22, 1864, page 201.14. They preserved the purity of the gospel in the valleys of Piedmont and sent out missionaries to scatter the seeds of the Reformation in worldly universitiesARSH November 22, 1864, page 201.14+1.

The Foundation of Their Reform ⚓

The reformers were not seeking to create a new religion but were driven to the wall by their enemies until they had to take a stand for the truthChSa 132.2. Their work was characterized by several core principles:

1. Sola Scriptura: They held the Bible as the sole standard of appeal and the foundation of their faithRCPKS 27.3+1. As it is written, "Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth" John 17:17.

2. Obedience to God: They maintained that when human laws conflict with the Word of God, we are bound to resist men and obey the LordSITI January 28, 1886, page 59.7. This is consistent with the apostolic declaration: "We ought to obey God rather than men" Acts 5:29.

3. Sacrifice and Perseverance: These reformers were ready to sacrifice their possessions, liberty, and lives to give the gospel to the worldSPCCSR 38.1+1. They were like the ancients who understood more than their teachers because they kept the precepts of God Psalms 119:99-100.

While these men did not see all light clearly and sometimes retained errors from their early training, they were God's chosen instruments to begin the work of rending asunder the chains of superstitionRCASDA 163.2+2. Their heroic example remains a banner of truth and religious liberty for all who follow the Word of God today6T 402.3+1.

The first reformers to bring the spirit of the Reformation to America were the Pilgrims and Puritans, who fled religious persecution in Europe to establish a home where they could worship according to their conscience11MR 111.5+2. While many groups contributed to the early religious landscape, the Pilgrim Fathers are specifically recognized for bringing the vital principle of the total separation of religion and the State to the New WorldAMS September 18, 1889, page 270.4.

⛵ The Arrival of the Pilgrims and Puritans

The movement for reform in America began with those who sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intoleranceGC 441.1.

• The Pilgrims: These "separatists" were an organized community that first sought refuge in Holland to escape the Church of England’s persecutionGC 289.2+1. In 1620, they landed at Plymouth, New England, driven by a desire to preserve their traditions and lay the foundation for a Christian StateSITI February 3, 1890, page 43.50+1.

• The Puritans: Emerging from the ecclesiastical agitations in England, they initially sought to reform the Church of England from within but eventually migrated in large numbers to escape the "harry[ing]" of monarchs like James IGC 289.2+2.

• Motivations: They braved the perils of the sea and the hardships of the wilderness because of their intense desire for liberty of conscienceGC 292.3+1.

🗽 Pioneers of Religious Liberty

While many early settlers brought the spirit of reform, they did not all immediately grasp the full principle of religious freedomGC 292.3+1.

• Roger Williams: He is distinguished as the first person in modern Christendom to establish a civil government based on the doctrine of liberty of conscience and the equality of opinions before the lawGC 292.3. He argued that magistrates should restrain crime but never control the soul, asserting that when they prescribe duties to God, there can be no safetyGC 292.3.

• The Constitutional Foundation: The principles of these reformers eventually found expression in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, which established Republicanism and Protestantism as the nation's fundamental pillarsGC 441.1. This was a fulfillment of the principle that we ought to obey God rather than men Acts 5:29SITI January 28, 1886, page 59.7.

⛪ The Introduction of the Sabbath

The Reformation in America also brought specific debates regarding the law of God and the SabbathARSH September 19, 1865, page 121.14.

• Puritan Sabbath: The Puritans introduced a "sacred" Sunday to the Protestant church, applying the fourth commandment to the first day of the weekARSH September 19, 1865, page 121.14+1.

• Seventh-day Observers: The first Seventh-day Baptist church in America was organized in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1671 by Stephen Mumford and others who recognized the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord thy God Exodus 20:10ARSH September 19, 1865, page 121.14+1.

🌟 God's Providence in the Wilderness

The Lord understood the needs of His oppressed children and moved upon them to make the American wilderness their retreat11MR 111.5. He used these trials to prepare them for His gracious purposes and to give the world evidence that He does not forsake those who trust in HimGC 291.2. In the forest homes and quiet of the New World, God could better impress His children than in the confusion of European city life11MR 111.5. We are encouraged to stand firm for the faith once delivered to the saints, just as these pioneers did Revelation 14:1216MR 238.1.