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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