The Reformation: Restoration of the Gospel.
The history of the Church is perhaps one of the rockiest histories of any institution in existence. In the Bible it is recorded to have officially begun in Acts, when the Holy Spirit, being promised to come by Christ, is thought to have ascended on the believers. Although it can be argued that Church's first roots lie in the coming of Christ, many scholars consider this gathering in Acts, the first church. Little would these believers involved know that in the coming future the foundations of the first church would take a journey that would bring transformation of this institution over and over again. .
In the New Testament, the apostolic fathers are commissioned by Christ to spread the gospel. Thus, these early Church fathers set out to establish churches based on the gospel's good news of grace. Perhaps the greatest example of this can be examined in the life of the Apostle Paul. In Paul's missionary journeys, he established a number of churches and continually worked to spread the gospel message. In many of his Epistles he emphasizes God's grace and the depravity of man. He is adamant that the old way of viewing the law, or the Old Testament, is based on misconception. The Jews of the time believed it was by following the letter of the law that one received righteousness, and that salvation was simply as Jewish birthright. However, Paul continually reminded Christians, and argued against the Jews, that righteousness and salvation is a gift from God, through Christ. The Church was founded on the principles of grace and Christ being a propitiation for sin. He is the mediator who preserves both, God's justice and wrath, as well as, God's mercy and love.
One of the greatest transformations of the Church came in the 1500's, a period of Church history that is today known as the Reformation (Brecht). During this time, the Catholic Church was perhaps one of the most powerful institutions in existence.