Lutheranism
Brief History
The Lutheran Church is the oldest of existing protestant churches.
It can be traced to the Eve of All Saints Day, Oct. 31, 1517. Martin
Luther (b. November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, d. February 18,
1546 in Eisleben) is known as the Father of Protestantism. He had
studied to become a lawyer before becoming an Augustinian monk in
1505, and was ordained a priest in 1507. While continuing his studies
in pursuit of a Doctor of Theology degree, he discovered significant
differences between what he read in the Bible and the theology and
practices of the church. On October 31, 1517, he posted a challenge
on the church door at Wittenberg University to debate 95 theological
issues. He was principally opposing the sale of Indulgences as preached
by Tetzel throughout Germany. Luthers intention was to reform the
Roman Church, not start a new one. Luther's hope was that the church
would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with
the Word of God as contained in the Bible.
At age 20, Luther obtained a complete copy of the Bible in a university
library. He soon developed a great love and respect for it. He later
entered a monestary, but when he saw the many evils in it, he quit
and left it. Various trials were held and after Luther was given a
chance to renounce his views but refused, he was banned in 1521 from
the Roman Church. He then started meeting on his own and soon had
many followers. "Lutheran" was a name applied to Luther
and his followers as an insult but adopted as a badge of honor by
them instead.
Luther's Small Catechism, which contains teachings on the Ten Commandments,
the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession and
Absolution, Holy Communion and Morning and Evening Prayers, is still
used to introduce people to the Lutheran faith, as is the Augsburg
Confession. These and other Lutheran confessional documents are included
in the Book of Concord.
Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still
hold to the basic principles of theology and practice espoused by
Luther, such as Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura.
Belief System
Lutherans have closely held beliefs following the Catholics but with
some differences. They believe that Christ is the messiah and that
His death paid the price in full. However, although they profess to
hold the Bible to be the true word of God, their practices and doctrine
clearly indicated many disparities.
Lutheran Belief 1 -
Justification by Faith Alone. Our salvation is through faith alone
-- we only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ's
sake, who died to redeem us (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America).
Word of God 1 - The
grace of God is not without obedience. (Act. 10:35; Rom. 2:6, 10;
Tit. 3:8) Works do count as performed in accordance with scripture,
not by the Law. Grace is for our imperfections and struggles in the
flesh. (Jam. 2:24) Not by faith alone in Jesus Christ is held to be
the central doctrine of the word of God (Government Report of Denominations,
Vol. 2, p.853). Added "alone" to Rom. 3:28, German Bible,
See Catechism, p.104.
Lutheran Belief 2 -
Creeds: Endorse Nicene Creed, Apostles Creed, Athanasian Creed and
the Augsburg Confession among others (Lutheran Catechism, p.81-82)
Word of God 2 - Joh.
6:63; Mat. 22:29; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; Gal. 1:8-9; Mat. 10:20.
Lutheran Belief 3 -
The Lutheran Church is one of the branches along with other denominations
(L. Catechism, p.108). Evangelical Lutheran Church is the one established
on Pentacost (L. Catechism, p.110).
Word of God 3 - Christ
is head over the body (Eph. 1:22-23). One body (Eph. 2:16; 4:4; 1
Cor. 12:20). Man, not groups or denominations are spoken of (Joh.
15:1-6). Abide in Christ. Only planted one church (Mat. 15:13; 16:18).
How to enter into Christ: (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27). The word Lutheran
is not in the Bible. Statement of beginnings is contradictory to stated
history.
Lutheran Belief 4 -
Baptism by Sprinkling or Pouring. Christ does not specify the mode
of baptism. It may be performed in any one of three ways; namely,
by sprinkling, pouring or immersion. One mode is just as valid as
another (L. Catechism, Stump, p.147).
Word of God 4 - Greek
word is baptizo meaning to dip, plunge, submerge. (Joh. 3:23)
Much water. Down into and up out of water (Act. 8:38-39). Baptized
into Christ, buried into Christ (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12).
Lutheran Belief 5
- "Christ has commanded that little children should be brought
to him and we obey this command by baptizing them and teaching them.
They (children) have inherited a sinful heart, and the germs of sin
in them will soon grow". (L. Catechism, Stump, p.146).
Word of God 5
- Children are not guilty of parental or inherited sins (Eze. 18:20).
No infant was ever baptized into Christ. Belief is required first
(Act. 8:12; Mark 16:16).
Lutheran Belief 6 -
Lord's Supper - A sacrament through which forgiveness of sins is promised.
Always preceeded by service of confession and absolution. Christ conferred
upon the church the "Power of the Keys" to remit sins -
so the minister uses the power and pronounces the absolution (L. Catechism,
p.159, 161).
Word of God 6 - Sacrament
from Romanism, not the Bible. Forgiveness of sins is not through the
partaking of the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper to be taken in 'remembrance'
of Christ's sacrifice (1 Cor. 11:23). Power of Keys not in the Bible.
Forgiveness of sins by any man other than Christ was conferred upon
the Apostles only (Mat. 16:18; 18:18).
Lutheran Belief 7 -
Observance of Lent and Easter are sacraments borrowed from Catholicism.
Word of God 7 - Special
days are to cease (Hos. 2:11). Not to be judged by special days (Col.
2:16-17). The first day of the week is the only day Christians are
to distinguish from others (Mar. 16:9; 1 Cor. 11:23; 16:1). Lent,
Easter, Christmas and other holidays not found in scripture to be
observed religiously.
Lutheran Belief 8 -
Name of Lutheran - Luther did not approve of this label: "I pray
you leave my name alone and not to call yourselves Lutherans but Christians
(Life of Luther, Michelet, p.262).
Word of God 8 - No
other name is given but Christ (Act. 4:12). The name is "Christian"
(1 Pet. 4:16; Act. 26:28, 11:26).
Lutheran Belief 9 -
Ten Commandments - "The Ten Commandments are for us and all God's
creatures (L. Catechism, p.41-42). Note: They omit the second commandment
(like Catholics) (L. Catechism, p.17).
Word of God 9 - The
Law of Moses passed away (2 Cor. 3:7-11). Nailed to the cross (Col.
2:14-17). Severed from Christ if justified by the Law (Gal. 5:1-4).
Greatest commandment is Love (Mar. 12:30-31). Christians discharged
from the Law (Rom. 7:1-4).
Lutheran Belief 10
- Lutherans teach Sunday as the "Christian Sabbath", the
Lord's day.
Word of God 10 - Sabbath
is the 7th day of the week (Exo. 20:8-11). The Lord's day is the 1st
day of the week (Mat. 28:1-10; Joh. 20:19-29; Act. 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2;
Rev. 1:10).
Lutheran Belief 11
- Circumcision was received by children as a token of the covenant
- "so now children are baptized and receive the token of the
new covenant, the seal of righteousness of faith" (Luther's Small
Catechism under Question, 335). "...circumcision, which is a
type of baptism" (L. Catechism, Stump, p.146).
Word of God 11 - Circumcision
of the flesh was a shadow of circumcision of the heart (Rom. 2:29;
Heb. 10:1). Baptism was never compared to circumcision in the Bible.
Only males can be physically circumcized. What to do about women in
this situation?!
More Divisions - The Church of All Saints in San
Marcos, California celebrated it's Fifth Anniversary on November 23rd.
The congregation was formed when Rev. Jim Bishoff came out as a gay
may while serving at San Marcos Lutheran Church. He was forced to
leave the church and about 80 members of that congregation decided
to leave with him and form their own church. The Church of All Saint's
is an independent Lutheran congregation.
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