A Reformed Church holds to the understanding of Scripture as rediscovered by men like Martin Luther and John Calvin in what is often called "The Great Reformation" of the 16th century. The Church, under the leadership of the Pope in Rome, had departed from the teaching of Scripture by teaching that we are saved from our sin in part by our own works. This caused many sincere Christians great doubt as they were never sure whether they had done enough good works to satisfy God's anger against their sin. The great discovery of a man like Martin Luther was that the Scripture teaches we are not saved by works but by God's grace alone through faith in Christ. This is taught so powerfully in Romans 3:38, "For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law". Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and thus refer to the eternal nature of Christ. Rev. 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (NIV)