Do Lutherans believe theirs is the only true religion?
The short answer is no, but we think we have the best explanation available of how to live our faith! We know we are one part of a wider Christianity. As Christians, we place the life and model of Jesus Christ at our centre and affirm the biblical witness of the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. We stand with Luther in proclaiming that our faith is a mighty LIVING thing!
Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus is God’s Son, fully divine and fully human. (It’s God’s math!) He was sacrificed on the cross to pay for our sins, and rose again, defeating all powers of sin and death, and by that death and resurrection invites us to share in eternal life.
How do Lutherans look upon the Bible?
Luther was just as tricky with math as God is. He made central the Five Solas (Sola is Latin for “only”) as the structure for walking our faith. Those tenets are; Only Christ, Only Scripture, Only Grace, Only Faith & Only The Glory of God. Luther saw the Biblical witness as the final decider of faith. To borrow a phrase from Luther, the Bible is “the manger in which the Word of God is laid.” It is the inspired word of God. But remembering our faith is living, we are constantly bringing new eyes to the Word of God, and wrestling the angels to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches today.
What do Lutherans believe about Creation?
Lutherans believe that God is Creator of the universe. We are stewards and caretakers of this gift, and thus called to live in harmony with nature, seeking to nurture the world rather than subdue it.
Where do Lutherans stand on the question of sin?
We stand firmly believing that we are God’s beloved children, who acknowledge that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. Jesus is the path to salvation, who comes as redeemer and personification of God’s love for us. As told by Jesus himself in John 3:16, 16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” 17: “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
What Sacraments do Lutherans accept?
We see sacraments as needing four standards; Jesus did it, commands us to do it, there is a physical element and words of Divine invocation are spoken. Thus, two Sacraments are upheld; First, Baptism – Jesus was baptised by John, he commanded us to go and baptise folks with water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Likewise, Communion – Jesus ate with his disciples at the Last Supper, commanding them to remember him each time they gathered at the table, eating the bread and drinking the wine. We believe that the Spirit is present in, with and under these word blessed elements, not transforming them in form but entering into their essence to fill them with the Divine.
Do Lutherans believe in life after death?
Yep, we really do! Lutherans do believe that life with God persists even after death. Like most Christians, we all have ideas of heaven, and Scripture offers numerous hints as to what that may be like, but the only certainty of heaven is oneness with God.
What must a person do to become a Lutheran?
To be recognised as a Lutheran, only Baptism and knowledge of Christian faith through a Lutheran lens are required. If you are already baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we ask only for you to attend a membership class, learning that history and practice (there won’t be a quiz; this is just a way to let you know where we stand). Your desire to become a part of our Beloved community is also a willingness to share in our understanding of what informs that community. Active members of other ELCA Lutheran congregations usually need only to transfer their membership.
What do Lutherans believe about salvation?
This is the central pillar of the Lutheran understanding of faith. Lutherans believe that salvation is a free gift of grace from God. You can’t earn it, buy it or acquire it. God in Christ has saved you. Hear that? YOU ARE SAVED! The choice is yours whether you will live in the light of that grace-filled salvation or not, but saved you are! The Bible speaks on grace:
Romans 3:23: All have fallen short of the glory of God; they are now justified by God’s grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-5: But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which God loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.
John 1:16-17: From Christ’s fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
