April 16: First presentation of Martin Luther before the Diet of Worms to be examined by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and other States of the Empire, in 1521.

The 95 Theses of Martin Luther and what it led to The Diet of Worms

A diet was a formal deliberative assembly convened by the Imperial Estates of the Holy Roman Empire.

Martin Luther appeared before the Diet of Worms chaired by Carlos V, newly appointed Holy Roman Emperor (who was neither holy nor Roman). On April 16, 1521, Luther was presented to explain and defend his ideas he expressed in a document with 95 theses against the actions of the Catholic Church and the sale of indulgences to finance the work of the Vatican.

Diet of Worms

Fortunately, Prince Frederick III, Elector of Saxony came out in defense of Luther and managed to get a pass for mobility between the castle of Frederick and the meeting hall of the Imperial Diet. Pope Leo X demanded that Luther recant at least 41 of the 95 theses that were nailed to the doors of the Church of All Saints in Wittenberg, on October 31, 1517, leading to the Protestant Reformation.

Painting depicting Luther speaking before emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms.

The defense argument of Martin Luther was as follows:

"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well-known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe not right to go against conscience. God help me. Amen. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise.”

Martin Luther went before the Diet of Worms to face charges stemming from his religious writings, in 1521.

This famous speech inspired others throughout the Reformation to take their stand as well.

Being convicted and ordered his arrest, Federico III scheduled a fictional ambush Luther for his return to Wittenberg. A group of hooded led him to hide in the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, where he lived and translated the German Bible supported by Frederick III, Elector of Saxony.

Source: http://verticallivingministries.com/2012/04/17/the-95-theses-of-martin-luther-what-it-led-to-the-diet-of-worms/