Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Communique
October 28, 2026
What is the most important and precious thing you own? Something that should be in your hands and your eyes gaze upon every day? What should you be willing to give to those who don’t have what you have or enable others to give? No, not the almighty dollar, but the Almighty Word of God.
There is nothing else that truthfully speaks about eternity and God our creator. We, for the most part take for granted the many bibles we have in English.
Who is responsible? William Tyndale, a reformer who preceded Martin Luther. He was proficient in Greek, Hebrew, Latin and five additional languages. Born in 1494 in Gloucestershire, England and entered Oxford University at the age of twelve. In 1515 he had earned his master of arts degree in linguistics. Ordained in the Roman Catholic priesthood around 1515 though he may not have ever served as a priest.
Being the first to translate the New Testament in English which was against the law the government placed a bounty upon his head. He fled to Germany, but unlike Luther he did not have people in high places to protect him from death. He was eventually caught in Antwerp, England, and was imprisoned for a year and a half leading the prison keeper’s daughter to Christ along with a number of others of his household.
When his trial came, he faced many false testimonies and made-up charges. He was asked to recant his beliefs that there is no purgatory, that people should not pray to Mary or to the saints, and his belief that grace alone is sufficient for salvation. This he refused to do though asked repeatedly.
On October 3, 1536, Tyndale was taken from his prison cell and led to the place of his execution. High church and civic officials were seated before him dressed in their finest to watch the spectacle. The executioner bound his feet to the cross-like stake before binding his neck to the stake with a chain. He then used the chain to strangle the saint before lighting the fagots under his feet to burn his body. Charges of gun powder had been placed in the wood to obliterate his charred remains. The last words uttered by William Tyndale were: “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!”
Tyndale’s prayer was answered sooner than anyone could have realized. Less than a year from Tyndale’s death, Henry VIII authorized the publication of an official English translation of the bible and ordered a copy of it to be placed in every church through the land. Amazingly, nearly all of the “Great Bible,” as it was called, came from the pen of William Tyndale. In 1611 when the King James Bible was published, the vast majority of its books and verses came from the pen of William Tyndale.
Today we can read the bible printed in English thanks to William Tyndale who was martyred for his devotion to the Lord and getting the bible in the common person’s language. We thank the Lord for fearless Christians who were more devoted to God than to the government.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today 4:30 Confirmation.
Sunday 1, 9:00 Morning worship and Holy Communion. Sermon: Christians and Sin
10:15 Sunday school for everyone.
November 1, 10:15. Operation Christmas Child packing party. No Sunday school.
November 3, VOTE!
Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
Our service also airs on: KGLO 1300 AM at 10:00 AM, and KIOW 107.3 FM at 7:00 AM. Spread the word.
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve thepurpose for which I sent it.
