Baptism - Although Luther retained that baptism was necessary for
spiritual regeneration, no specific form was stipulated. Today Lutherans
practice both infant baptism and baptism of believing adults. Baptism is
done by sprinkling or pouring water rather than immersion.
Most Lutheran branches accept a valid baptism of other
Christian denominations when a person converts,
making re-baptism unnecessary.
Catechism - Luther wrote two catechisms or guides to the faith.
The Small Catechism contains basic explanations of the T
en Commandments, Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, baptism,
confession, communion, and a list of prayers and table of duties.
The Large Catechism goes into great detail on these topics.
Church Governance - Luther maintained that individual
churches should be governed locally, not by a centralized authority,
as in the Roman Catholic Church. Although many Lutheran branches
still have bishops, they do not exercise the same type of
control over congregations.
Creeds - Today's Lutheran churches use the three
Christian creeds:the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed,
and the Athanasian Creed. These ancient professions of
faith summarize basic Lutheran beliefs.
Eschatology - Lutherans do not interpret the Rapture as most o
ther Protestant denominations do. Instead, Lutherans believe
Christ will return only once, visibly, and will catch up all
Christians together with the dead in Christ. The tribulation is
the normal suffering all Christians endure until that last day.
Heaven and Hell - Lutherans see heaven and hell as literal places.
Heaven is a realm where believers enjoy God forever,
free from sin, death, and evil. Hell is a place of
punishment where the soul is eternally separated from God.
Individual Access to God - Luther believed each individual
has the right to reach God through Scripture with a responsibility
to God alone. It is not necessary for a priest to mediate.
This "priesthood of all believers" was a radical change from Catholic doctrine.
The Lord's Supper - Luther retained the sacrament of
the Lord's Supper, which is the central act of worship in the Lutheran denomination. But the doctrine of transubstantiation was rejected.
While Lutherans believe in the true presence of Jesus Christ in
the elements of bread and wine, the church is not specific
in how or when that act occurs. Thus, Lutherans resist
the idea that the bread and wine are mere symbols.
Purgatory - Lutherans reject the Catholic doctrine of purgatory,
a place of cleansing where believers go after death,
before entering heaven. The Lutheran Church teaches that
there is no scriptural support for it and that the dead go
directly to either heaven or hell.
Salvation by Grace through Faith - Luther maintained that salvation comes by grace through faith alone; not by works and sacraments.
This key doctrine of justification represents the major difference
between Lutheranism and Catholicism. Luther held that works
such as fasting, pilgrimages, novenas, indulgences,
and masses of special intention play no part in salvation.
Salvation for All - Luther believed that salvation is available
to all humans through the redeeming work of Christ. Scripture -
Luther believed the Scriptures contained the one necessary
guide to truth. In the Lutheran Church, much emphasis is placed
on hearing the Word of God. The church teaches that the
Bible does not merely contain the Word of God, but every
word of it is inspired or "God-breathed." The Holy Spirit is
the author of the Bible.
Lutheran Practices (Sacraments) - Luther believed the sacraments
were valid only as aids to faith. The sacraments initiate and feed faith,
thus giving grace to those who participate in them.
The Catholic Church claims seven sacraments,
the Lutheran Church only two: baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Worship - As to the manner of worship, Luther chose to retain
altars and vestments and prepare an order of liturgical service,
but with the understanding that no church was bound to follow any
set order. As a result, there is emphasis today on a liturgical
approach to worship services, but no uniform liturgy belonging
to all branches of the Lutheran body. An important place is given to preaching, congregational singing, and music, as Luther was a great fan of music.
Sources • Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions,
Concordia Publishing House • ReligiousTolerance.org
• ReligionFacts.com
spiritual regeneration, no specific form was stipulated. Today Lutherans
practice both infant baptism and baptism of believing adults. Baptism is
done by sprinkling or pouring water rather than immersion.
Most Lutheran branches accept a valid baptism of other
Christian denominations when a person converts,
making re-baptism unnecessary.
Catechism - Luther wrote two catechisms or guides to the faith.
The Small Catechism contains basic explanations of the T
en Commandments, Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, baptism,
confession, communion, and a list of prayers and table of duties.
The Large Catechism goes into great detail on these topics.
Church Governance - Luther maintained that individual
churches should be governed locally, not by a centralized authority,
as in the Roman Catholic Church. Although many Lutheran branches
still have bishops, they do not exercise the same type of
control over congregations.
Creeds - Today's Lutheran churches use the three
Christian creeds:the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed,
and the Athanasian Creed. These ancient professions of
faith summarize basic Lutheran beliefs.
Eschatology - Lutherans do not interpret the Rapture as most o
ther Protestant denominations do. Instead, Lutherans believe
Christ will return only once, visibly, and will catch up all
Christians together with the dead in Christ. The tribulation is
the normal suffering all Christians endure until that last day.
Heaven and Hell - Lutherans see heaven and hell as literal places.
Heaven is a realm where believers enjoy God forever,
free from sin, death, and evil. Hell is a place of
punishment where the soul is eternally separated from God.
Individual Access to God - Luther believed each individual
has the right to reach God through Scripture with a responsibility
to God alone. It is not necessary for a priest to mediate.
This "priesthood of all believers" was a radical change from Catholic doctrine.
The Lord's Supper - Luther retained the sacrament of
the Lord's Supper, which is the central act of worship in the Lutheran denomination. But the doctrine of transubstantiation was rejected.
While Lutherans believe in the true presence of Jesus Christ in
the elements of bread and wine, the church is not specific
in how or when that act occurs. Thus, Lutherans resist
the idea that the bread and wine are mere symbols.
Purgatory - Lutherans reject the Catholic doctrine of purgatory,
a place of cleansing where believers go after death,
before entering heaven. The Lutheran Church teaches that
there is no scriptural support for it and that the dead go
directly to either heaven or hell.
Salvation by Grace through Faith - Luther maintained that salvation comes by grace through faith alone; not by works and sacraments.
This key doctrine of justification represents the major difference
between Lutheranism and Catholicism. Luther held that works
such as fasting, pilgrimages, novenas, indulgences,
and masses of special intention play no part in salvation.
Salvation for All - Luther believed that salvation is available
to all humans through the redeeming work of Christ. Scripture -
Luther believed the Scriptures contained the one necessary
guide to truth. In the Lutheran Church, much emphasis is placed
on hearing the Word of God. The church teaches that the
Bible does not merely contain the Word of God, but every
word of it is inspired or "God-breathed." The Holy Spirit is
the author of the Bible.
Lutheran Practices (Sacraments) - Luther believed the sacraments
were valid only as aids to faith. The sacraments initiate and feed faith,
thus giving grace to those who participate in them.
The Catholic Church claims seven sacraments,
the Lutheran Church only two: baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Worship - As to the manner of worship, Luther chose to retain
altars and vestments and prepare an order of liturgical service,
but with the understanding that no church was bound to follow any
set order. As a result, there is emphasis today on a liturgical
approach to worship services, but no uniform liturgy belonging
to all branches of the Lutheran body. An important place is given to preaching, congregational singing, and music, as Luther was a great fan of music.
Sources • Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions,
Concordia Publishing House • ReligiousTolerance.org
• ReligionFacts.com
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