Doctrinal Teaching
Baptism Updated on February 22, 2009
GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS. BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU…Mt. 28:19-20
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Updated on February 22, 2009
There is abroad in our land and others a religious movement which gives the appearance of exalted spirituality. It pretends to possess the gifts which the Holy Spirit bestowed upon the Church in the days of the Apostles. This movement naturally attracts the attention of Christians and arouses their interest. Many want to draw near and see this “burning bush” more closely, and they wonder: Is this indeed from God? What could be wrong with it? Does not St. Paul treat it at length and even recommend it? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had those gifts in our churches?
COMMUNION Updated on February 22, 2009
Introduction
Scripture has many statements which are paradoxes, that is that they are beyond comprehension by human reason. As a matter of fact a paradox contains matters that are contradictory to each other according to human reason. We must rely on the mind of God in spiritual matters and trust His Word by faith. Faith grasps matters which are beyond human reason.
Fellowship Updated on February 22, 2009
Introduction
We are orthodox, that is that we teach only and all God’s Word with no admixture of error and with no deletions from the sacred Word. There is an ever present danger for us who would be confessional in that when we speak of ‘fellowship’ we think only of the separation and withdrawal aspect to preserving the truth of the Word among us. We must remember that fellowship is positive as we shall clearly see in the following. The severance of a fellowship relationship (or rather the expression of it) is called for when there is no longer the unity and agreement on what God’s Word teaches. In this following study of ‘koinonia’ or fellowship, the word, as it is used in context in Scripture let us see the splendidly positive aspects.
FELLOWSHIP, BRIEFLY PUT Updated on February 22, 2009
How happy we are to dwell together in the peace of Christ! We have that peace of heart and mind that surpasses all human understanding. We know Him as the Crucified. And we know Him as the Resurrected. We have peace with God through this our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This we believe and teach. We are united with God through the peace Christ won for us on Calvary.
LAW AND GOSPEL Updated on February 22, 2009
As Lutherans we are very concerned about using God’s Word properly. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of truth.” II Tim. 2:15 Part of ‘rightly handling God’s Word’ has to do with using the two great teachings of the Bible correctly. When, how and why do we use Law and Gospel?
SANCTIFICATION Updated on February 22, 2009
May the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly;… I Thess. 5:23
Once we believe by the power of the Spirit in the Lord Jesus Christ, then it is that His Spirit works with our spirit. This work of preserving us in faith and of working within us to will and to work for His good pleasure is called sanctification. The word ‘sanctify’ basically means ‘to set apart.’ The word ‘holy’ comes from the word sanctification. To be set apart means to be preserved as Christ’s in this wicked world; to be in the world, but not of the world. Read more…
TEST THE SPIRITS Updated on February 22, 2009
We in the Church of the Lutheran Confession and in our sister churches do not have persons who have visions from God. We do not speak in tongues. We do not perform exorcisms. None of us have the power to heal through our laying on of hands. We freely admit this and give glory to God that what we do have is His Word in its truth and purity. It is God’s Word in its glory and power and vastly overshadows the apostolic ability to perform miracles. God can and still does perform miracles. He converts through the power of the Gospel of Christ, whether it be a little baby through the Gospel in the sacrament of baptism or an adult with a heart of unbelief through the Gospel in the Word. He strengthens faith through the mysterious power of His Word when it stands alone or through His Word in the sacrament of the altar, communion. As you can see, our emphasis is on the Word. And this is the emphasis of the Bible itself.
THE POSITION OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH Updated on February 22, 2009
Can women hold office in the church? Can women be preachers in the Christian congregation? Today on this issue as in so many, the visible church organizations listen to the world instead of the Word. Let us listen to God’s clear Word. It will give us the answers to all questions which can be answered on this side of eternity. And may our Lutheran church body cleave to that clear Word faithfully.
VICTIMS OF OUR TIMES? Updated on February 22, 2009
…OR STALWART IN THE WORD?
All around we can see fine church buildings. Within those walls, though, the Word of God has suffered. It is not the firm, sure and only basis for teaching and practice among many who may have fine buildings. With the passing of time the devil has inveigled more and more denominations to abandon the Word piece by piece and to accept instead the notions of men.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT GOING TO CHURCH? Updated on February 22, 2009
I. The Bible shows that a desire to hear and learn God’s Word is a mark of a Christian.
He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. Jn. 8:47
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. Jn. 8:31 Read more…
WHAT IS A LUTHERAN? Updated on February 22, 2009
Naturally, a Lutheran is a follower of Martin Luther. Wrong! We are followers of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther as well as you and I are earthen vessels to carry the treasure of the Gospel to the world. We are of common, sinful clay with the surpassing glorious treasure being redemption in Jesus. We believe like Martin Luther that we are saved:
By Grace Alone,
By Faith Alone,
By Christ Alone,
By the Word Alone.
WHY CLOSE COMMUNION? Updated on February 22, 2009
In our Lutheran congregations our practice has always been to have ‘close’ communion, that is that we do not serve the Lord’s Supper on a ‘come one, come all’ basis. Frequently, visitors to our services do not understand this practice. They sometimes feel excluded or even insulted. Because we are concerned about people and their feelings we want to explain and be understood.
YOU HAVE ONE MASTER, THE CHRIST Updated on February 22, 2009
With this pamphlet we shall try to tell you who we are and why we are a separate Lutheran church.
COLLOQUY PRACTICE Updated on February 22, 2009
The question has arisen, what if a pastor wants to join our church, what should we do about that? Our practice is to have a meeting or colloquy with him. Several of our church body sit with him for a period of time and ask him questions as to what he believes according to the Bible. The answers should be given with the Scripture support for the answers. Read more…
My Church and Others Updated on May 30, 2009
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A Summary of the Teachings of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church
As Distinguished From Those of Other Denominations
Sixth Edition
By John Theodore Mueller Read more…
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