Lutherans Know Jesus Christ

Lutheran faith and doctrine is centered around Christ Jesus. We believe that Jesus is the eternal Son of God – the Word made flesh  (John 1:1, 14).   We believe that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, lived a life of perfect obedience to God’s Law, suffered and died for the sins of every person who has ever lived in the world.  We believe that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter morning and ascended back to heaven where He will rule for all eternity.  On the last day, Jesus will return to take His people to His eternal home and to judge all those who have rejected Him as their Savior. 

Jesus brings people close to God as the Second Person of the Triune God.  Jesus is the Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).  As such, Lutherans believe that their lives – today, tomorrow and in eternity – depend on Jesus.

Lutherans live with a sure hope of eternal life because of Jesus Christ.  They know that they are not perfect – that they stumble and fall in their daily walk with God.  But they also know that their forgiveness has been completely paid for by Jesus Christ.  His death and resurrection pays for all our sins (1 John 1:7).  All who believe in Him will be saved  (John 3:16-18).

Lutherans Are Christians

Lutherans hold beliefs shared by many Christians:

·         God is Triune; that is, He is one Being with three distinct Persons:  The Father, who created and sustains the world; the Son (Jesus), who lived as a man, died, and rose from the dead; and the Holy Spirit who creates faith and empowers God’s people for service in this world..

·         The Bible is God’s Holy Word.  The Holy Spirit spoke through human writers to reveal the nature and will of God to the people of the world.  (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

·         Sin is revolt against God in thought, word and deed.  Every person is guilty of sin against God because we all disobey God’s holy Law.  Original Sin has been passed down from Adam and Eve to all generations.  It is the cause of the evil things people do to each other.  Because of our sinful nature and our sinful acts, we all need the forgiveness of Jesus..

·         Everyone will continue to exist after death.  Those who believe in Jesus will be with Him forever.  Those who reject Jesus will be punished in hell forever.  (John 3:36)

·         The world will end someday at a time only God the Father knows.  After that, Jesus will judge everyone – both the living and the resurrected dead.

Lutherans proudly display the sign of the cross, a symbol used by all Christians.  The cross symbolizes the terrible death that Jesus suffered as punishment for their sins.  Usually Lutherans use a plain cross because Jesus rose from the dead and is now ruling with God the Father in heaven.

How Lutherans Got Started

Lutherans are named after Martin Luther.  He was a German priest who sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church in the early 1500s and return the church to its Biblical foundation. Luther’s writing, debating, preaching and teaching sparked the Protestant Reformation.

Through his Study of the Bible, Luther helped the Christian Church rediscover the truth that God is loving and that He offers forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift because of Jesus Christ.

Luther taught that people – no matter how hard they try – cannot earn God’s forgiveness or a place in heaven.  It is a gift of God’s grace that people receive through faith in Jesus Christ.

Luther also brought other reforms to the Church besides a renewed emphasis on God’s grace.  He translated the Bible into the language of the common man, introduced hymns for congregational singing, and wrote the Small and Large Catechisms so parents could teach their children the basics of the Christian faith.

Lutherans Trust the Bible

Lutherans often refer to three “solas” (Latin for “alone”) as a summary of the faith that gives them hope:

·         Grace alone – God loved the world, though we do not deserve His love.  He sent His Son to love the unlovely and save the ungodly.  We do not earn or deserve salvation.  It is God’s free gift by grace alone for Christ’s sake.

·         Faith alone – Jesus has provided for our forgiveness and life. Those who hear this promise and believe it, have the salvation it offers.  People don’t “get” faith by their own doing.  Rather, God the Holy Spirit creates faith as He gives us His promises.

·         Scripture alone – The Bible is the inspired and inerrent Word of God.  It alone it the basis for faith and doctrine.  The Bible is our guide for the Christian life.

Lutherans talk about Law and Gospel.  The Bible gives the Law, showing God’s expectation of people and the terrible consequences for not following His commands.  At the same time, the Bible also reveals the Gospel – the “good news” of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Lutherans Are Congregational

Lutherans have other distinctive beliefs:

·         They view the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as “means of grace.”  Along with God’s Word, they are the tools or instruments by which God creates and strengthens people’s faith in Jesus.

·         Local churches, or congregations, are the central community for faith and practice. Congregations call a trained man to be their “pastor” (shepherd).

·         Christian education is very important to Lutherans.  Lutherans provide Sunday schools, Bible classes, and home Bible study groups.  They operate early childhood centers, preschools, elementary schools, high schools, universities, and seminaries.

·         They share their faith with individuals.  Collectively, they sponsor mission programs worldwide.

·         They care about people in need – providing hospitals, help for children and families, and worldwide relief for the hungry, homeless and helpless.

·         Their worship style, which includes a lot of music and singing, is often “liturgical.” It follows the worship forms handed down from the early Christian church.  Many times this “Divine Service” is expressed using contemporary words and music.