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What We BelieveSome four hundred years ago, the Christian Church was restored by the act of God which is known in history as the Reformation. The instrument through which this was effected was the Word of God; the chief human agency was Martin Luther.
The teachings of the Reformation were not new, but were the eternal truths of God as revealed in the Bible. They have been preserved and are being presented to the world today in their entirety by the Lutheran Church. The Lutheran Church, founded as it is on the doctrines of the Bible, is not a new organization, not a mere sect, or denomination, but the ancient, original, apostolic Christian church in its present day form and appearance. |
The Bible |
Lutherans teach that the Bible in all its words is the Word of God; that, consequently, all the facts related in it are absolutely true; that it is without error; that it interprets itself; that it is the only divine truth known on earth; that it should be diligently heard and studied; and that it will save all who believe it.
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Triune God |
Lutherans teach that God is triune, i. e., one God in three persons, Father, Son, Holy Spirit; that these three persons are equal in all things; and that to ignore and deny one is to disavow all. He is Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. References. -- Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 5:23; Genesis 1:1; 1 John 2:1,2; Romans 15:13.
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Man
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Lutherans teach that man is not the product of an alleged evolution in any form, but was made by God through an act of direct creation; that he was given an immortal soul, endowed with perfect holiness and created for eternal life; that, however, he sinned, broke off loving communion with God, became wholly depraved and subject to death; and that in his natural state he cannot, by any powers of his own, reestablish right relations with God. References. -- Genesis 2:7 1:27; chap. 3; Psalm 14:3; 1 Corinthians 2:14
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God's Law
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Lutherans teach that God's Law demands perfection of heart, thought, word, and deed; that it wholly condemns all who transgress it; that it cannot save sinners; and that its chief function since the Fall is to lead man to the knowledge of his depraved condition. References -- Matthew 5:48; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 27:26; Romans 3:20.
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Sin
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Lutherans teach that every thought, word and deed contrary to God's Law is sin; that every human being is born into sin; that all evil in the world is the consequence of man's sinning; and that sin is wholly damnable. References -- 1 John 3:4; John 3:6; Genesis 8:21; Romans 5:12; Psalm 5:4.
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The Gospel
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Lutherans teach that the Gospel is not a new or higher law, but the special revelation of that which a loving and merciful God has done through Christ, and still does, for the salvation of mankind; that it freely offers to all sinners the righteousness which is in Christ Jesus; and that it will save forever those who believe its promises. References. -- Ezekiel 33:11; 1 Timothy 2:4; Luke 4:18,19; John 3:16; Romans 3:21-24; 1:16.
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The Savior
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Lutherans teach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and equal to the Father in every respect; that He is also the Son of the Virgin Mary and was made man in order that He might redeem the world; that He satisfied the demands of the Divine Law for all mankind by keeping God's Commandments in our stead; that He bore the punishment of our sins by suffering and dying in our stead on the cross; that He rose bodily from the dead and lives today; and that He will come visibly for the second and last time at the world's end to judge the living and the dead. References. -- John 5:20,23; 10:30; 14:9; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Peter 2:22; Galatians 4:4,5; 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:1,2; Romans 4:25; John 14:19; Acts 1:11; 10:42.
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Justification
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Lutherans teach that everything needed to reconcile the world to God was done when Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross; that God has for Christ's sake declared mankind free from the debt and guilt of sin; that this justification of all mankind is applied to an individual through faith; and that all who believe God's gracious declaration of reconciliation are righteous in the sight of God - not by any merit of their own, but solely by grace, for Christ's sake, through faith. References. -- 2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 5:18,19; Acts 10:43; Romans 3:22-24, 28; Ephesians 2:8.
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Repentance
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Lutherans teach that repentance, in the Biblical sense of the term, is the acknowledgement of sin and sincere regret for it - together with a trustful appeal to God for forgiveness in Christ's name; that it is a condition of the heart without which no man can hope to be saved; and that every truly repentant sinner is assured of God's free and full pardon. References. -- Isaiah 55:6,7; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 18:13,14; 2 Corinthians 7:10.
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Faith
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Lutherans teach that faith is a penitent sinner's personal trust in Jesus Christ as his real and only Savior and full reliance on His merits for forgiveness of sins and salvation; that such faith is not a personal achievement or an act of human merit, but a work of the Holy Spirit; that he who endures in this faith to the end will be really, fully, and eternally saved; and that without it no salvation is possible. References. -- John 1:12,16; Acts 10:43; Galatians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Peter 1:5; Acts 16:31; Matthew 24:13; John 3:36.
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Conversion
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Lutherans teach that conversion is not mere changing of habits, but a change of heart, a spiritual rebirth of man; that it is brought about by the power of God working through the Word; and that it takes place in and through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. References. -- Joel 2:13; Ezekiel 11:19; Jeremiah 31:18; John 1:12,13; Romans 10:17; 1 John 5:1.
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Sanctification
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Lutherans teach that holiness of life and conduct follows conversion and that it is the fruit and outcome of faith; that all true Christians must be, and are, active in good works; and that, though such satisfaction is progressive, perfection therein will not be attained until man enters eternal life. References. -- John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:6, 25; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 1:15; Romans 7:15-25; Philippians 3:12-14.
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The Church
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Lutherans teach that there is one INVISIBLE church, which consists of all such as in their hearts truly and sincerely accept Jesus Christ as their Savior; that this church is one; that Jesus Christ is its only Head and Lord; that all members thereof enjoy equal rights; that it may be found wherever the Gospel of Christ is known; and that it will endure forever.
Lutherans also teach that there is a VISIBLE Christian church, consisting of all such as profess the Christian faith and gather about God's Word. Sad to say, because of man's inherent inclination to evil, there always are in the church as a whole hypocrites and defenders of false teachings and unchristian practices. Therefore it is the duty of every sincere Christian to search for the visible church which stands for pure preaching and right practice. Religious fellowship should be avoided with all who depart from the Divine Word. References. -- John 18:36; Luke:20, 21; John 8:31, 32; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 2:19-22; Isaiah 55:10, 11; Matthew 16:18; 13:47, 48; 22:2-14; 15:9; 1 Corinthians 11:18; Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. |
Baptism
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Lutherans teach that Baptism is a divinely instituted and commanded washing of spiritual rebirth; that it is intended for old and young without exception and may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersing; and that by it all who in faith receive this sacrament are given the grace of God, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life. References. -- Matthew 28:19; Titus 3:5; Mark 10:14; Acts 16:15; Hebrews 10:22; Acts 22:16; 2:38; Mark 16:16.
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The Lord's Supper
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Lutherans teach that the body, and blood of Jesus Christ are truly present in and with the bread and wine in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, are taken by all who eat and drink at the Lord's Table, are received by the believing and repentant Christian for the strengthening of his faith and his growth in godliness, and should be given to those only who have professed their Christian faith and doctrinal unity with the Lutheran understanding of this Sacrament. References. -- Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:26-29; Matthew 7:6.
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Prayer
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Lutherans teach that prayer is a Christian's communion with God; that, though it is not an act by which merit or reward is won, it is divinely commanded, should be regularly practiced by every Christian for his own sake and the benefit of others, and, if made in faith, has God's definite and sure promises of gracious acceptance and ready answer. References. -- Psalm 19:14; Matthew 7:7, 8; Psalm 50:15; 1 Timothy 2:1,8; 1 John 5:14; Isaiah 65:24; Matthew 21:22.
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Devil & Hell
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Lutherans teach that there is a great host of powerful evil spirits (called devils by the Bible), who are bitter enemies of God and His church, and who have been cast down to hell; and that at the Last Day all those human beings who have died without faith in Christ will be cosigned to the same hell of eternal torment and doom. References. -- Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8,9; Jude 6: Matthew 25:41; Isaiah 66:24.
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Death & After
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Lutherans teach that the body, which in death was separated from the soul, will be raised on the Last Day and reunited with the soul; that all men will be judged by Jesus Christ; that all believers in Christ will be given eternal life in heaven, while all unbelievers will be sent into eternal condemnation. References. -- John 5:28,29; Matthew 25:31-46
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