What is a Lutheran?

A puzzling question indeed, even for some Lutherans. But when thought through and defined in the light
of Scripture, it is perhaps a bit easier to understand that a Christian who believes in the Bible alone and
has faith in Christ alone is more Lutheran than he might think.

Basic Precepts of Lutheranism:

a) The Bible is the infallible Word of God given to us in the form of printed text. Every
book or letter contained in the Canon of Scripture (from Genesis to Revelation) is God’s
teaching for us to learn from, to follow, and most importantly, to learn about and
believe in the saving work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

b) According to the Scripture, God reveals Himself in three distinct but equal persons
which we call the Holy Trinity. While the word “trinity” is not found in the bible, it is a
word, like many others, which we use to describe as best we can a very difficult and
transcendent doctrine: how God exists. Scripture is very clear in making Jesus Christ not
only equal with the Father, but also ONE WITH the Father. Scripture also links the “spirit
of Christ” and the “spirit of God” similarly as being the same spirit. Thus there is a unity
between Father, Son and Spirit which goes beyond our understanding, and a
distinctiveness between the same. We teach, preach, and confess that unity and
distinctiveness in the word “trinity”.

c) Salvation is by no other name that that of Jesus Christ the Son of God. One cannot be
saved without faith in Christ alone, and his work on the cross to forgive sins and deliver
humanity from death. Our Lord’s salvation isn’t for a few people, for some people, for
most people, but it is for ALL PEOPLE, just as Scripture teaches. Of course we know that
not all people will be saved. Scripture makes clear that the damnation of souls rests
solely in the obstinate refusal of people to repent and believe. Scripture also makes
clear that the work of salvation is a work of God and not of man; man cannot choose to
be saved, but they receive salvation, faith, eternal life, forgiveness freely as a gift.

d) The Church of our Lord Christ is more than a building, a name, an address or a
denomination. While we may certainly be part of a particular Christian sect, this in and
of itself does not guarantee salvation. Denominationalism is a result of the sinfulness
and obstinance of man and not the work of God who desires unity and true faith rather
than reason and discord. And as Scripture teaches, there is a difference between the
buildings and denominations man has created and the great Universal Church or the
priesthood of all believers headed by Christ.
 We have denominations, however, for some good purpose. Clearly the reason behind
them is in part because of differences in opinion over indifferent matters. Whether a
Pastor wears a collar or a tie is indifferent. Whether a church uses candles or not is not
really that important.

Traditions, in general, are meant to serve the Gospel. Thus when there are different
church practices on account of indifferent things, the end result isn’t really disunity. But
when a church does not accept the clear teachings of Scripture or teaches a Gospel
other than Christ’s, that church has left the fellowship of believers and, as Paul writes,
should be cut off. We should not mess with the doctrine of God’s Word.

e) Finally, Lutherans believe that our Lord will return on a day and time set by the Father to
take His children home to be with Him in celebration and service forever. We cannot
determine that day, nor should we try. But instead we, with patience and endurance
continue to run the race of faith set out for us, trusting in our Lord’s promises and
assurances, until the day we die or our Lord returns. Thus we say with St Paul:
“Maranatha!” Lord, come quickly.

Other teachings found in the Lutheran Church

1) We believe that the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is both spiritually and physically
present in the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper, just as our Lord testifies. We do not
rationalize His words, but simply accept them as true, though obviously difficult to really
comprehend.
2) We believe that God uses water as a means by which He saves sinners from damnation and hell.
As Peter exclaims: Baptism now saves you, and as again Peter says to the crowds in Jerusalem:
Repent and be baptized each and every one of you for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall
receive the Holy Spirit. These are God’s promises for His people to be believed and not debated.
a. We also believe that, as Jesus says, salvation and baptism is for children as well as
adults. Jesus tells us not to hinder the “little children” (which children from infancy on
up) to come to him, but that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. Thus in
Baptism, they along with all of us receive the kingdom of God into our hearts (we
receive Christ’s promise, Name, covering, etc) and that gift is for all who will receive.
This is not about rationalism; faith is not about one’s ability to understand, but faith is a
gift, a deposit given by God to His people. Remember also that young Jewish boys were
circumcised at 8 days of age which, as God promised, brought them into the covenant
God made with Israel. They didn’t have to rationalize it or understand it, because the
promise was made by God and kept by God and not by their own reasoning.
3) Lutherans accept the Three Ecumenical Creeds, namely the Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed,
and the Athanasian Creed, as being true testimonies and doctrine of God’s Word. Lutherans
regularly confess (or speak publically) one or more of the creeds during a worship service. While
the Creeds (or any theological writings beyond the Bible) are not Scripture, they serve Scripture
by offering us easy to remember ways, phrases, passages or words. Just as the Lord’s Prayer
was taught by our Lord in an easy to remember and recitable way, the Creeds are meant to be
memorized by children and confessed regularly throughout one’s life.
4) Lutherans do not accept modern or cultural trends as reasons to sway from the teachings of
Scripture. Thus, we believe that marriage is instituted by God and meant only for one man and
one woman. Any other type of marriage is contrary to Scripture and therefore outside of God’s
blessing. We also believe that the blessings of marriage should be reserved for the marriage
bed, that sex is not meant for recreational purposes between two consenting partners, but that
it is meant for the pleasure and procreative purposes of a husband and wife. God’s intention for
family is to be a symbol of Christ and His church, and chastity is a virtue most certainly rooted in
Christ.
5) Lutherans celebrate life and God’s love of life and creation above all else. Therefore we strongly
oppose the ending of life through unnatural means. We are strong opponents of the concept of
“Pro-Choice” or “Pro-Abortion” as well as euthanasia. Life is in God’s hands, and the ending of
any life should be under His rule and now ours. We are not God, and no man or woman has the
right to destroy another’s life, no matter how invaluable that life is considered. God loves all
life, for He created life, and He does not desire that anyone should perish at the hands of
another.
6) Though Lutherans do not accept Homosexual behavior or Abortion as godly or blessed by God,
we also believe strongly in God’s desire to forgive and bring the lost to the foot of the cross.
Therefore, while we may not accept these practices and very clearly and sternly call them sinful,
we will not shut the door on anyone who comes to seek forgiveness and desires to amend their
sinful behavior.