What is a Lutheran?
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A Lutheran is a Christian who holds everything in the Bible to be true. Because it is the very Word of God, it cannot lie. That means that when God says the world was made in six 24-hour days, He is telling the truth. It means that when He says He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bear our sin and be our Savior, it is the truth. When He tells us that we are saved by His grace, through faith and not works, it is the truth. A Lutheran believes the Word of God and has it as the only source for faith and belief.
Lutherans are named after the 16th century monk, Martin Luther, who challenged the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church and led the Reformation of the Christian Church, restoring the authority of the Word of God over the traditions of man. For more basic information about Lutherans, visit the Belief and Practice page from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Mount Olive's church body. |
What do Lutherans believe?
The basic summary of the Christian faith is found in the three ecumenical (meaning, confessed by all who call themselves Christian) creeds. These creeds are the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian. These creeds date back to the first centuries after Jesus' resurrection and ascension. At Mount Olive, these creeds are used in every service, connecting us with the whole Church, past and present.
The Apostles' Creed, so named not because they wrote it but because it summarizes their teachings, is:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Apostles' Creed, so named not because they wrote it but because it summarizes their teachings, is:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Where can I read everything you believe?
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All our beliefs come directly from God's Word, the Holy Bible. The plain teachings of the Bible have been condensed into Luther's Small Catechism, a basic primer on the faith. The Small Catechism explains the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, the Office of the Keys (Confession and Absolution), and the Sacrament of the Altar. Thanks to our friends at Concordia Publishing House, the full text of the Small Catechism is available online free.
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The Book of Concord is the full collection of the beliefs of the Lutheran Church. It contains all of the original documents written by the Lutherans to confess their beliefs and to condemn the errors which had been taught in the Church. The full text of the Book of Concord is available online.
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What about some of the big issues?
Holy Baptism
Jesus Christ gave His Church Holy Baptism as the place where we are made children of God. At Baptism, all that Jesus Christ did for our salvation is made ours.
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Holy Communion
Just before His crucifixion, Jesus instituted Holy Communion. Attached to the bread and wine is the very Body and Blood of Jesus, given to us to eat and to drink for forgiveness of sins.
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MarriageHoly Scripture teaches that marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman. Human sexuality finds its home in the union of marriage.
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"What About" Pamphlets
There are a lot of questions that come with life in this world. If you have questions about abortion, homosexuality, female pastors, or anything else, check out the "What About" pamphlet series (at the bottom of the link).
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