About Our Beliefs As

Lutherans

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Lutherans are named after Dr. Martin Luther. He lived in the 1500s and taught at the University of Wittenberg in Germany. As a young theologian, he found that he disagreed with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church about how a person attains salvation. He discovered that what the church was teaching and doing was quite different than what the Bible says. Luther addressed many points of disagreement and nailed them on the local church door. These 95 Theses, as they came to be known, interested many who read them. They were widely circulated and debated. Luther’s ideas inspired and encouraged others throughout Europe. They began to call themselves “Lutherans,” though that was never Dr. Luther’s desire. He simply wanted to reform the Roman church. However, his efforts resulted in the world-changing Protestant Reformation. As Lutherans, we hold Dr. Luther in high esteem, but we don’t worship him. His writings are important to Lutherans, but not as important as the inspired Word of God, the Bible.

  • The word “Synod” in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod comes from Greek words that mean “walking together.” The term has rich meaning in our church body because congregations voluntarily choose to belong to the Synod.

    Though diverse in their service, our congregations hold to a shared confession of Jesus Christ as taught in Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

    Lutheran congregations are confessional. Our congregations believe the Lutheran Confessions are a correct interpretation and presentation of biblical doctrine.

    Contained in The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, these statements of belief were transcribed and shared broadly by church leaders during the 16th century.

    Luther’s Small Catechism contains essential summaries of our beliefs, while the Augsburg Confession gives more detail about what Lutherans believe.

  • Lutherans typically go to church to worship, although a person can worship God in any setting. Here are a few reasons we gather at church on Sundays:

    1.  To come together with other believers.  When we gather at church, we gather with those who believe as we do. We share a common confession of faith. We encourage each other to live lives of joy, peace, and love, in Christ.

    2.  To receive Holy Communion together.  When Jesus was on Earth, he initiated a special meal, which we continue to receive even today.  He took ordinary bread and wine and said that in them, His body and blood are really present, for the forgiveness of sins. Because we sin daily, we receive Holy Communion often, so that we can receive the blessings of this holy meal.  It is one of the sacraments of the church.  

    3.  The other sacrament is Holy Baptism. Lutherans baptize infants and adults because the Bible says that all, including infants, have sinned and are separated from God and in need of forgiveness. In baptism, one receives the forgiveness of sins, and thus, the promise of eternal life in heaven, in the presence of God.

  • All of us have the same problem: from the moment we are conceived, we are enemies of God (Psalm 51:5). We rebel against the love He has for us, His creation. We do not do what God desires. We think we know what is best for us. This is called sin. We are each sinners. That is why all of us physically die. (Romans 6:23)

  • Grace Alone — God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.

    Faith Alone — By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.

    Scripture Alone — The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word, Scripture, or the Bible, is the inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:16). It is the only source of spiritual truth for Lutherans. The Bible contains all that we need to know about and where He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the source and norm for our teaching and preaching.