What Lutherans Teach, by Karl Kretzschmar
Some four hundred years ago the Christian church was restored to a new life of
liberty, purity, and fruitfulness after a long period of bondage, corruption and inaction. The
act of God by which this revival was brought about is known in history as the
Reformation. The instrument through which it was effected was the Word of God; the
chief human agency was Martin Luther.
The teachings of the Reformation were not new, but were the eternal truths of God
as revealed in the Bible. They have been preserved and are being presented to the world
today in their entirety by the Lutheran Church.
The Lutheran Church, founded as it is on the doctrines of the Bible, is not a new
organization, not a mere sect, or denomination, but the ancient, original, apostolic
Christian church in its present day form and appearance.
In the following we shall give a summary of Lutheran teachings:
The Bible
Lutherans teach that the Bible in all its words is the Word of God; that,
consequently, all the facts related it is are absolutely true; that it is without error; that it
interprets itself-, that it is the only divine truth known on earth; that it should be diligently
heard and studied; and that it will save all who trustfully accept it.
References - 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Corinthians 2:13; John 5:39; Luke 11:28.
Triune God
Lutherans teach that God is triune, i.e., one God in three persons, Father,
Son and Holy Ghost; that these three persons are equal in all things; and that to ignore
and deny one is to disavow all. He is Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.
References - Deuteronomy
6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 5:23; 1 John 2:23; Genesis 1:1; 1 John 2:1,2;
Romans 15:13.
Man
Lutherans teach that man is not the product of an alleged evolution, but was made
by God through an act of direct creation; that he was given an immortal soul, endowed
with perfect holiness and created for eternal life; that, however, he sinned, broke off loving
communion with God, became wholly depraved and subject to death; and that in his
natural state he cannot, by any powers of his own, reestablish right relations with God.
References - Genesis 2:7; 1:27; chapter 3; Psalms 14:3; Romans 5:12; Isaiah 64:6;
Psalms 143:2; 1 Corinthians 2:14.
God's Law
Lutherans teach that God's Law demands perfection of heart, thought,
word, and deed; that it wholly condemns all who transgress it; that it cannot save sinners;
and that its chief function since the Fall is to lead man to the knowledge of his depraved
condition.
References - Matthew 5:48; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 27:26; Romans 3:20.
Sin
Lutherans teach that every thought, word, and deed contrary to God's Law is sin;
that every human being is a sinner by birth; that all evil in the world is the consequence of
man's sinning; and that sin is wholly damnable.
References - 1 John 3:4; John 3:6;
Genesis 8:2 1; Romans 5:12; Psalms 5:4.
The Gospel
Lutherans teach that the Gospel is not a new or higher law, but the
special revelation of that which a loving and merciful God has done through Christ, and
still does, for the salvation of mankind; that it freely offers to all sinners the righteousness
which is in Christ Jesus; and that it will save forever those who trustingly accept its
promises.
References - Ezekiel 33:11; 1 Timothy 2:4; Luke 4:18,19; John 3:16; Romans
1:16; 3:21-24.
The Saviour
Lutherans teach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and equal to the
Father in every respect; that He is also the Son of the Virgin Mary and was made man in
order that He might redeem the world; that He satisfied the demands of the divine Law for
all mankind by keeping God's Commandments in our stead; that He bore the punishment
of our sins by suffering and dying in our stead on the cross; that He rose bodily from the
dead and lives today; and that He will come visibly for the second and last time at the
world's end to judge the living and the dead.
References - John 5:20,23; 10:30; 14:9;
Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Peter 2:22; Galatians 3:13; 4:4,5; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:1,2;
Romans 4:25; John 14:19; Acts 1: 11; 10:42.
Justification
Lutherans teach that everything needed to reconcile the world to God
was done when Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross; that God has for Christ's sake
declared mankind free from the debt and guilt of sin; that this justification of all mankind
becomes the property of the individual through personal acceptance thereof, and that all
who thus by faith apply to themselves God's gracious declaration of reconciliation are
righteous in the sight of God - not by any merit of their own, but solely by grace, for
Christ's sake, through faith.
References - 2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 5:18,19; Acts
10:43; Romans 3:22-24,28; Ephesians 2:8.
Repentance
Lutherans teach that repentance, in the Biblical sense of the term, is
acknowledgment of sin and sincere regret for it - together with a trustful appeal to God for
forgiveness in Christ's name; that it is a condition of the heart without which no man can
hope to be saved; and that every truly repentant sinner is assured of God's free and full
pardon.
References - Isaiah 55:6,7; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 18:13,14; Acts 2:38;
2 Corinthians 7:10.
Faith
Lutherans teach that faith is a penitent sinner's acceptance of Jesus Christ as his
real and only Savior and full reliance on His merits for forgiveness of sins and salvation;
that such faith is not a personal achievement or an act of human merit, but a work of the
Holy Spirit; that he who endures in this faith to the end will be really, fully, and eternally
saved; and that without it no salvation is possible.
References - John 1:12,16; Acts
10:43; Galatians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Peter 1:5; Acts 16:3 1; Matthew 24:13; John
3:3 6.
Conversion
Lutherans teach that conversion is not a mere changing of habits, but a
change of heart, a spiritual rebirth of man; that it is brought about by the power of God
working through the Word; and that it takes place in and through the acceptance of Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord.
References - Joel 2:13; Ezekiel I 1: 19; Jeremiah 31:18; John
1: 12,13; Romans 10: 1 7; 1 John 5:1.
Sanctification
Lutherans teach that holiness of fife and conduct follows conversion
and that it is the fruit and outcome of faith, that all true Christians must be, and are, active
in good works; and that, though such sanctification is progressive, perfection therein will
not be attained until man enters eternal life.
References - John 3:3; 2Corinthians 7:1;
Galatians 5:6,25; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Ephesians 2: 1 0; 1 Peter 1: 15; Romans 7:15-25;
Philippians 3:12-14.
The Church
Lutherans teach that there is an invisible church, which consists of all
such as in their hearts truly and sincerely accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.; that this
church is one; that Jesus Christ is its only Head and Lord; that all members thereof enjoy
equal rights; that it may be found wherever the Gospel of Christ is known; and that it will
endure forever. Lutherans also teach that there is a visible Christian church, consisting of
all such as profess the Christian faith and father about God's Word. Sad to say, because
of man's inherent inclination to evil, there always are in the church, as a whole, hypocrites
and defenders of false teachings and unchristian practices. Therefore it is the duty of
every sincere Christian to search for and unite with that section of the visible church,
which stands for pure preaching and right practice. Religious fellowship should be
avoided with all who depart from the divine Word.
References - John 18:36; Luke
17:20,21; John 8:31,32; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22,23; 2:19-22; Isaiah
55:10,11; Matthew 16:18; 13:47,48; 22:2-14; 15:9; 1 Corinthians 11:18; Romans 16:17; 2
Thessalonians 3:6,14; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Baptism
Lutherans teach that Baptism is a divinely instituted washing of regeneration
that is intended for old and young without exception and may be administered by
sprinkling, pouring, or immersing. That by it, all who in faith receive this sacrament, are
given the grace of God, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life.
References - Matthew
28:19; Titus 3:5; Mark 10:14; Acts 16:15; Hebrews 10:22; Acts 22:16; 2:3 8;
Mark 16:16.
The Lord's Supper
Lutherans teach that the body and blood of Jesus Christ are
truly present in, and with, the bread and wine in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, are
taken by all who eat and drink at the Lord's Table, are received by the believing Christian
for the strengthening of his faith and his growth in godliness, and should be given to those
only who have professed their Christian faith.
Matthew 26:26-28; 1
Corinthians 10:16; 11:26-29; Matthew 7:6.
Prayer
Lutherans teach that prayer is a Christian's communion with God; that, though
it is not an act by which merit or reward is won, it is divinely commanded, should be
regularly practiced by every Christian for his own sake and for the benefit of others, and, if
made in faith, has God's definite and sure promises of gracious acceptance and ready
answer.
References - Psalms 19:14; Matthew 7:7,8; Psalms 50:15; 1 Timothy 2:1,8; 1
John 5:14; Isaiah 65:24; Matthew 21:22.
Devil and Hell
Lutherans teach that there is a great host of powerful evil spirits
(called devils by the Bible), who are the bitter enemies of God and His church, and who
have been cast down to hell and that at the Last Day all those human beings who have
died without faith in Christ, will be consigned to the same hell of eternal torment and
doom.
References - Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8,9; Jude 6; Matthew 25:41; Isaiah
66:24.
Death and After
Lutherans teach that the body, which in death was separated
from the soul will be raised on the Last Day and reunited with the soul; that all men will be
judged by Jesus Christ; that all believers in Christ will be given eternal life in heaven, while
all unbelievers will be sent into eternal condemnation.
References - John 5:28,29;
Matthew 25:31-46.
Special Issues
Creeds
Lutherans teach that a creed, as the word itself implies (credo - I believe), is
simply a statement of what one believes; that every professing Christian has a creed
whether he admits it or not; that a true creed is not an addition to the Bible, but only a
necessary emphasis of the truth against those who misuse the Bible for the support of
their false teachings; and that without a creed a church will be engulfed in a flood of
errors.
References - 1 Peter 3:15; Matthew 10:32.
Religion and Science
Lutherans teach that since God, who has revealed Himself
in the grandeur and complexity of the universe which He created, is the same God who
has revealed Himself as a God of mercy and love in the redeeming work of Christ the
Savior, there can be no lasting conflict between true science and the truths of the Bible.
Evolutionary theories and philosophies denying God's place in the universe or attempting
to negate His saving and sanctifying revelation are rejected. Science can be and has
been a means of God's manifold blessing upon the human race.
References - Psalms
8:3,4; 19:1; Hebrews 1:10; 11:3; Genesis 1:28.
Church Union
Lutherans teach that the divided state of the visible Christian church
is a deplorable condition, for which, however, not the supporters of divine truth, but the
teachers and upholders of false doctrines are responsible; that there can be no true
outward union without inward unity of faith; and that the hope for a united Christianity will
become a reality just as soon as all professing Christians have become one in rejecting all error and accepting every doctrine set forth in the Word of God.
References - Romans
16:17; Ephesians 4:3-6.
Religious Education
Lutherans teach that the religious education of the young is
the task, not of the state, but of the home and of the church; that it is proper for the church
to organize Christian day schools and devise such other agencies as will assist parents
in bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and that Christian
parents owe it to themselves, their children, their church, and their country to cooperate in
activities undertaken for the Christian education and training of children and young
people.
References - Mark 10: 14; John 21:15; Ephesians 6:4.
Law Enforcement
Lutherans teach that the principle providing for the
separation of church and state is in harmony with the spirit and letter of the Bible; that,
therefore, the enforcement of civil laws is the business of the state and not of the church;
that the church addresses itself to the human heart and operates, not through compulsion,
but by persuasion; and that interference of church and state in each other's affairs cannot
but result in religious persecution and the destruction of free government.
References - John
18:36; Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7.
Divorce
Lutherans teach that the marriage bond must be kept inviolate; that before
God no divorce is valid except in cases of fornication or malicious desertion; and that the
present tendency to make light of engagements and the marriage relation must result in
immeasurable harm to the home, the children of the race, the church, the state - in fact, to
the whole structure of human society.
References - Matthew 19:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15.