Martin Luther gave his defense and some people were convinced he was right. However, Charles V wanted him executed. Prince Frederick sent Luther into hiding for a year. Believers printed articles Luther wrote and people throughout Europe read his writings. He translated the Bible into the German language. The people of Europe divided into two religious groups. Many stayed with the Roman Catholic Church but some joined a group of Bible-believers who protested the teachings of the Church known as Protestants.
That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation (Romans 10:9-10).
Luther stood up against the practice of indulgences and questioned church doctrine. This step was just the beginning. Luther with Wycliffe, Huss, Tyndale, Calvin, Knox and many others broke the monopoly of the church, translated the Bible in the local languages and Christianity spread throughout the old and new world.
Why was October 31, 1517, such an important day? One man committed to God, studied the Bible, changed his life, stood up for truth, confronted the church and started the Reformation. It was the Halloween that changed the world.
References:
Martin Luther,
Protestant Reformation