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WHAT
is a
LUTHERAN
?

 A Lutheran is
a Christian --
one who trusts in
Jesus Christ as
Savior
     LUTHERANS SHARE
     A COMMON FAITH
     with other Christians. They:
  • accept the Bible as the true source of Christian love, guidance and doctrine
  • accept the same ancient creeds (Apostles, etc)


     BUT THEY ALSO PROCLAIM
     GOD'S MESSAGE BY:
  • emphasizing justification by faith
  • teaching that a person is not to live according to a formula of do's and dont's, but in the freedom of Christian love
  • not confusing law and gospel

TODAY THERE ARE MORE THAN 8 MILLION LUTHERANS IN THE U.S.
Most belong to one of these groups
 		Scripture quotations are from the NRSV Common Bible © 1989, by the Div. of Christian Educ. of the Nat'l Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, used by permission




WHAT
is a
LUTHERAN
CHURCH		                    IT'S PART OF
THE CHRISTIAN
CHURCH


-- a means through which the HOLY SPIRIT
WORKS to help Christians grow in grace

 A LUTHERAN CHURCH IS:
A CONFESSIONAL CHURCH
that acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior, and the Bible as revealing God's will.

 AN ECUMENICAL CHURCH
(in most cases) that works for the unity of ALL Christians.
A VISIBLE CHURCH
where Christians gather together to hear God's word.


 AN INVISIBLE CHURCH
made up of all those people together who are saved by faith in Christ as Savior.

Lutherans affirm the
ORIGINAL, APOSTOLIC FAITH



LUTHERANISM had its beginnings in 1517, when MARTIN LUTHER
publicly called for the correction of errors in the medieval church.
LUTHER was pastor, professor, author, composer of hymns and
reformer. His ideas still stimulate new thinking in the church
-- he is RESPECTED but NOT WORSHIPPED!





Founded on its understanding of the Bible,
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
TEACHES THAT:
The BIBLE is the Word of God - absolute truth. It shows God in action. GOD is one God in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. MAN and WOMAN were created by God in holiness, but sinned (rebelled). We cannot by our own powers come back to God.
The SAVIOR, Jesus, died to save the world from sin. A person is JUSTIFIED (saved), not through merit, but only by God's grace, through faith. REPENTING means sincerely regretting one's sins and asking for Christ's forgiveness and guidance.
The CHURCH is all those people who sincerely accept and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. BAPTISM, a sacrament, establishes new life in a person. It remakes him or her in God's spirit. THE LORD'S SUPPER, a sacrament, is the Body and Blood of Christ borne by bread and wine in Holy Communion.
The CREEDS are statements of belief, not additions to the Bible. They summarize the Bible's teachings. RELIGION and SCIENCE are not in conflict. Religion talks about the "who," the creator; science talks about the "how." A CHRISTIAN'S UNITY with fellow Christians is rooted in Christ as God and Savior.
GOD'S LAW demands perfection of heart, thought, word and deed. Whoever disobeys is a sinner. SINS are the failures of people to live their lives in trust toward God. They are evidenced in thoughts, words and deeds. The GOSPEL, the teachings of Jesus, offers grace to everyone and will save those who believe in its promises.
FAITH is a confessed sinner's acceptance of Christ as Savior. CONVERSION (spiritual rebirth) is the bestowal of faith in Christ as Savior. SANCTIFICATION (holiness of life) follows conversion, but total holiness is possible only after entering eternal life.
PRAYER is a Christian's sharing of thought with God - communication with God. THE SPIRIT OF EVIL has many names in the Bible and is the enemy of God and the church. DEATH does not sever a believer's relationship with Christ.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION of the young is the responsibility of home and church. SEPARATION of CHURCH and STATE is ordained by God and provides two arena of work for Christians. MARRIAGE is intended for life.

Basically, Lutheranism teaches
that a person is saved only
by the grace of God through
faith in Christ.




Lutherans also adhere to the

3 ANCIENT
CREEDS
OF CHRISTIANITY
     APOSTLES'
     CREED
  • This is the oldest summary of Christian belief.
  • It tells the basic principles of the Bible. It is used for general confession and religious teachings.
     NICENE
     CREED
  • It states basic beliefs about God: that God is TRIUNE -- three persons in one.
  • It also tells about God's works in the world.
     ATHANASIAN
     CREED
  • It summarizes the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.
  • It emphasizes the importance of Christ, who is true God and true human in one person.




Lutherans testify to God's truth
through their own
CONFESSIONS

  1. AUGSBURG CONFESSION stresses the doctrine of SALVATION by GRACE through faith in Christ as the center of the Christian faith, and the importance of the Bible and Christian doctrines in Christian religion. It also testifies against the abuses of the medieval church which Luther sought to correct.
  2. APOLOGY of the AUGSBURG CONFESSION gives an explanation of the Augsburg Confession and a defense against enemies who would destroy the church.
  3. SMALCALD ARTICLES -- Martin Luther's "last will and testament" -- states the doctrine of the Trinity and Deity of Christ. It also emphasizes the central doctrine of Christianity: "we are saved only through faith in Christ".
  4. FORMULA OF CONCORD -- written to unify the church, which has been disorganized for 30 years -- officially approves all the earlier Lutheran confessions.
  5. LUTHER'S SMALL and LARGE CATECHISMS seek to explain God's Law, the Gospel, Lord's Prayer, Baptism, the Lord's Supper.
The confessions are accurate interpretations of the word of God written to correct church errors




HOW
do Lutherans
WORSHIP
?

 The Bible
is the basis of
Lutheran worship
Generally,
services retain the
TRADITIONAL FORM
of the MASS:

  • liturgy, candles, cross, altar, vestments
  • hymns, psalms, sins confessed (private or public)
  • Lord's Supper celebrated.
But renewed stress
is placed on the
PREACHING OF GOD'S
WORD

  • reminding us of God's truths and kind works among people.

Each
congregation
has freedom in
worship details.
Attending church services
regularly helps strengthen
one's faith in community.




The Lutheran church celebrates
2 SACRAMENTS
(sacred acts of Christ, giving grace).
BAPTISM
is the death of sin in us and our rebirth into a holy life -- Christ's life. 		THE LORD'S SUPPER
is a Christian's DIRECT encounter with God. Christ's body and blood are truly present and received "in, with, under" bread and wine. Christ again comes among us to forgive our sins and help us to live truly CHristian lives.
These sacraments
nurture us in our
CHRISTIAN LIFE




CONFIRMATION
affirms and strengthens
baptismal promises.


          Through the help of the HOLY SPIRIT, we
          KNOWINGLY CHOOSE to be disciples of Jesus
          and confirmed MEMBERS of His church.


One can also become a member of a
LUTHERAN CONGREGATION by:
TRANSFER -- from one Lutheran congregation to another. Instruction in a pastor's class or confession of faith is sometimes necessary.

BAPTISM -- for adults who, after instruction in the faith, publicly state faith in Christ, loyalty to Christ's church, and promise to lead a Christian life. Baptism is also for persons not previously baptized in the name of the triune God.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- for a person already baptized and confirmed in a Christian church, who publicly promises faith and loyalty to Chris and to live a Christian life. Instruction is usually required.


Christian education is carried on in part in the PASTOR'S CLASS -- a series of lessons and discussions for adults. It is an EXPLORATION of the church's teachings for:
POTENTIAL MEMBERS
to learn church teachings and prepare for membership in the church.		 REGULAR MEMBERS
to review the faith and learn more about their faith and the Bible.




The "CHURCH"
is REALLY
PEOPLE . . .

. . .

called to faith
in Jesus Christ
and sent on a
mission to
the world
"YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES."

Acts 1:8


"IT'S A LIVING
FELLOWSHIP--

our DAILY
partnership with God
and people.
Loyalty to Christ
"matures"
within the church
and
cannot endure
outside it.
 JESUS ASKS
that people care
for one another,
worship together
and raise children
in faith.

It's also every
Christian's
responsibility to . . .




. . . "win" others from the world --
TO WITNESS
TO THE TRUTH:
BY THE SPOKEN WORD
Tell the story of Christ and what Christ means to you, to a friend or neighbor. Tell him or her about church, worship, Bible classes, and community services.		            BY THE WRITTEN WORD
Pass on to other people the Bible and other materials that tell the story of God, and explain the real meaning of the church.
When in doubt about how to proceed, PRAY -- the answer will come to you.


THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTIANITY
All of us are sinners.


We continue to sin throughout our lives.		 We need to be rescued from sin.

Christ died for us and saved us from sin.


We also witness BY EXAMPLE -- living a life of LOVE
and SERVICE to others.

Give time to the church Teach a Bible class Visit the aged and the sick
Introduce people to the fellowship Work as a church officer Work with charity groups
LIVE SELFLESSLY, as a follower of Christ.


SHARE your faith -- for the salvation of ALL people.




A
Christian's
DEEPEST NEED
is to be part of a TRULY
MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY --

THE CHURCH IS THAT COMMUNITY!
YOU NEED
THE CHURCH


-- it offers new life in Christ through the preached word, the sacraments and service
to people
. . . and
THE CHURCH
NEEDS YOU

-- every member is important and has something vital to contribute, such as time, talents and love of people.
"WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO, GOD?"




SOO --

Being a Lutheran means LIVING A VITAL MEMBERSHIP in the body of Christ

-- not being just a member, BUT A DISCIPLE -- one who is willing to forget oneself and work for Christ.

JESUS REFERS TO THE BELIEVERS AS DISCIPLES:

"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.:

John 8:31-32

God wants people to be INVOLVED in studying and applying the Word --

to BECOME DISCIPLES SERVING GOD and HUMANITY in a meaningful life.



2004 Copyright