Beliefs...
Why the name Lutheran?
The Reformation of the 16th century, led by Martin Luther, was not intended to create a new church body. Rather, it was an attempt to correct the false teachings that had crept into the church of that time. Luther was motivated by a sincere belief in the saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He insisted, and rightly so, that salvation is only by God's grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, not by human works, rites, or traditions. Such conviction soon found him at odds with church authorities, some of whom felt his beliefs threatened the status quo. Eventually, he was excommunicated (kicked out) for his beliefs.
Originally, adherents to Luther's theology were called "Evangelicals," which implied their emphasis on the oneness of all Christians and the primary function of the church as a whole - sharing the freeing Gospel with the world. Over time, however, supporters of Luther's theology became known by their detractors as "Lutherans," a name that Luther personally disliked. Actually, in a very real sense, the name Lutheran is not so much a tribute to the reformer as it is a doctrinal statement. In other words, "Lutheran" identifies our beliefs and practices.
What does "Missouri Synod" mean?
The word synod means, "walking together." Although all of our 6,000 congregations in the United States believe and teach the same Biblical truths, each is unique and autonomous, reflecting the great diversity of the 2.6 million people we serve.
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is also identified by its great emphasis on Christian education. We administer the largest Protestant school system in the United States, operating 2,000 preschools, elementary schools, and high schools. We also operate 10 colleges and universities, and two seminaries.
Across the nation and extending around the world, services can be found in any number of languages and in many different worship styles, all united in our belief in Jesus Christ - the one and only Light of the world. The Missouri part of the name comes from the fact that the founders of our synod came from Missouri. The name Missouri Synod has stuck ever since.
What are the Lutheran Confessions?
Written at the time of the Reformation, they are Biblically based documents that explain and defend Christian faith and life against the theological errors and church abuses that led Luther to dissent. They were designed to be a thorough, systematic defense against various theological errors, some of which are still prevalent today. While not all Lutherans are of one mind insofar as the meaning and relevance of the Confessions in today's culture, we in the Missouri Synod believe they are timeless and faithful expressions of Biblical truth and are as relevant and meaningful today as they ever were.
Perhaps the best known and widely used of the Lutheran Confessions is Luther's Small Catechism, written in 1529. It is a collection of Scripture references and includes questions and answers on six Bible topics: the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's
Prayer, Confession, Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion. Originally designed to teach the basics of the Christian faith to the young, it is still regarded as the primary textbook of the Lutheran faith for all ages.
Why are Lutherans "Sacramental" and what does this mean?
One thing that distinguishes Lutherans from some other denominations is our understanding of and emphasis on the two Sacraments - Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Scripture teaches that all people are born sinful and in need of God's grace. Baptism is one of the ways in which our loving God extends His grace to us.
The Word of God gives baptism its power. Without His Word, it is just plain water. In this Sacrament, He claims us as His own and gives us an irrevocable promise of salvation. This holy promise is intended for all people, including infants.
No matter what age the recipient might be, and regardless of the way in which baptism is administered (immersion, pouring, sprinkling, etc.), the promise given by God through baptism is reliable and trustworthy for the entire life of the individual. That is because baptism is GOD's action, not our own.
The Lord's Supper contains the same promise of God. Although it is impossible to explain or understand the great Divine mystery taking place in this Sacrament, we know by Jesus' own words that there is much more to it than our simply remembering His sacrifice on the cross. Lutherans believe that in Communion we receive not just bread and wine but our Lord Himself, thus we receive His forgiveness and the strengthening of our faith.
If you have other questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Pastor Mike at pastor@saviorofall.org.