LUTHERANISM

Brief History: The Lutheran Church is the oldest of existing Protestant churches. It can be traced-to the 

Eve of All Saints Day, Oct. 31, 1517. On that date, Martin Luther (a Roman Catholic priest of the Sulpician order)
nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Church at Wittenburg, Germany. He was principally opposing the sale of 
Indulgences as preached by Tetzel throughout Germany. Luther's intention was to reform the Roman Church,
not to start a new one. However, his act started a great movement known as the Protestant Reformation.

Luther at the age of 20 obtained a complete copy of the Bible in a university library. He soon developed 
a great love and respect for it. He later entered a monastery, but when he saw the many evils in it, he quit and left it.

Various trials were held, and after Luther was given a chance to renounce his views but refused to do so, 
he was banned in 1521 from the Roman Church. He then started meeting on his own and soon had a sizeable following.
The worship was similar to that of the Catholics.(Schaff-Herzog, Vol. 2, p. 1363-72)

LUTHERAN TRADITION. THE WORD OF GOD.

I. Creeds Endorse Nicene Creed, Apostles Creed, Athanasian Creed and also the Augsburg Confession, and others Luth Catechism, p. 81-82). 

I. Creeds 1. John 6:63; Matthew 22: 29. 2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21. 3. Galatians 1:8-9; Matthew 10:20.

II. Different Church Branches The Lutheran Church is one of the branches along with other denominations. (L. Catechism, p. 108) Evangelical Luther an church is the one established on Pentecost (L. Catechism, P. 110).
II. Different churches are not branches of Christ's Church. 1. Christ the head over the body. Ephesians 1:22-23. 2. One body, Ephesians 2: 16; 4:4; 1 Corinthians 12:20 3. John 15:1-6. Man, not groups or denominations are spoken of. Abide in Christ. 4. How enter into Christ: Romans 6:3; Galatians 3: 27. 5. Only planted one church. Matthew 15:13; 16:18. 

Ill. Justified By Faith Alone "Justification by f a i t h alone in Jesus Christ is held to be the central doctrine of the word of God" (Government Report of Denominations, Vol. 2, p. 853). Added "alone" to Romans 3:28, German Bible, See Catechism, p. 104. 

Ill. Not justified by faith alone. 1. James 2:24. Not by faith alone. 2. James 2:19. Devils beIieve also. 3. John 12:42-3. Some who believed were not saved. 4. Matthew 10:32-33. Confession also necessary. 5. Ga.' 5:6. Faith must work to avail.

IV. Baptized by Sprinkling or Pouring Christ does not specify the mode of baptism. It may be performed in any one of three ways; namely, by sprinkling, pouring or immersion. One mode is just as valid as another. (Luther's C a t e c h i s m. Stump, p. 147)

. IV. Baptize by sprinkling or pouring not right. 1. John 3:23. Much water. 2. Matthew 3:16. Up out of water after baptism. 3. Acts 8:38-39. Down into and up out of water. 4. Romans 6:4 Burial (Colossians 2:12) 5. Greek work is baptizo ... to dip, plunge, submerge, Two other words for sprinkling and pouring.

V. Baptize Infants "Christ has commanded that little children should be brought to him and we obey this command by baptizing them and teaching them." (Lutheran Catechism, Stump. p. 146). "They (children) have inherited a sinful heart, and the germs of sin in them will soon grow" (Lutheran Catechism, Stump, p. 146 ). 

V. Baptize Infants Unbiblical 1. Acts 17:29. We are offspring of God. 2. Mark 10: 14. "Suffer the little children". . . 3. Ezekiel 18:20. Son not guilty except for own sins. 4. No infant baptized. 5. Acts 8:12. Both men and women. 6. Mark 16:16. Belief comes f i rst.

VI. Lord's Supper A Sacrament through which forgiveness of sins is promised. (Lutheran Catechism, p. 159). 'Always preceeded by service of confession and absolution.' (Lutheran Catechism, p. 161). 'Christ conferred upon the church the "Power of the Keys" to remit sins-so the minister uses the power and pronounces the absolution ( Lutheran Catechism, P. 161). The real presence of the body and blood of Jesus are sacramentally and supernaturally received by those who partake of the communion." (Government Report, Vol. 2, p. 853). "With and Under"--consubstantiation doctrine is that "the bread and wine do not simply represent the body and blood of Christ (Zwingli's.view)." (Lutheran Catechism, p. 156-7). 

VI. Lord's Supper 1. Sacrament from Romanism, not Bible. 2. Forgiveness not through the partaking of the Lord's Supper. 3. Not in Bible. 4. Upon Apostles only. Matthew 16:18; 18:18.5. A figure like John 10; and John 15. 6. Luke 22:19. Jesus was still in the flesh.V

VII. Observe Lent and Easter Similar to Catholics, borrowed from them. 26 4. Upon Apostles only. Matthew 16:18; 18:18. 5. A figure like J ohn 10; and John 15. 6. Luke 22:19. Jesus
VII. No Lent nor Easter 1. Hebrews 1:2. God speaks through Christ only. 2. Hosea 2:11. Special days to cease. 3. Colossians 2:16-17. Not to be judged by special days.4. Mark 16:9. The first day of the week is the only day Christians distinguish from others. 5. Such days as Lent, Easter, Sabbath, Christmas, seasons, etc., not to be observed religiously

VIII. Name Lutheran Luther did not approve: "I pray you leave my name alone and not to call yourselves Lutherans but Christians. (Life of Luther, Michelet, P. 262). 

VIII. Name Lutheran 1. Acts 4:12. No other name. 2.1 Peter 4:16. Name Christian. 3. Acts 26:28. Name Christian. 4. Acts 11:26. Name Christian.

IX The Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments are for us and all God's creatures. (Lutheran Catechism, p 41-42). (They omit the 2nd Commandment in their listing like Catholics do). Lutheran Catechism, p. 17.

IX. Ten Commandments 1. II. Corinthians 3:7-11. Passed away. 2. Colossians 2:14-17. Nailed to cross. 3. Galatians 5:14. Severed from Christ if justified by law. 4. Romans 7:1-4. Discharged from law.

X. Christian Sabbath Lutherans teach Sunday is the Christian Sabbath, the Lord's Day.
X. The Christian Sabbath 1. Sabbath is the 7th day of week. Exodus 20:8-11. 2. Lord's Day is thefirstday of the week. Matthew 28: 1-10; John 20-.19-29; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Revelation 1:10. 27was still in the flesh.

XI. Baptism and Circumcision Circumcision was received by children as a token of the covenant--"so now children are to be baptized and receive the token of the new covenant, the seal of the righteousness of faith." (Luther's Small Catechism under Question, 335.) "...circumcision, which is a type of baptism." (Lutheran Catechism, Stump, p. 146).

XI. Baptism & Circumcision 1. Circumcision of flesh was a shadow of circumcision of the heart. Hebrews 10:1; Romans 2:29. 2. Baptism never compared to circumcision in Bible; if so, then why female children baptized? Only males were circumcised.

.