Lutherans teach that the Bible is the Word of God: that, consequently, all the teachings revealed in it are absolutely true; that it is without error, that it should be diligently heard and studied; and that Bible’s teaching is the sole standard for our faith, teachings, and practice.  The main message of the Bible is the good news of God’s work to reconcile the world to Himself through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the central message of the Scripture is the account of how God was in the world preparing it to receive His Son and then what His Son, Jesus, did when He was here.

References:  2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; John 10:35

Lutherans get their name from Martin Luther.  He was a German priest who broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in the early 1500’s.  Luther’s writing and teaching sparked the Protestant reformation.  Through his study of the Bible, Luther helped the Christian Church rediscover the truth that God is loving and that He offers forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift of Jesus Christ.

*  Luther taught that people, no matter how hard they try, cannot earn God’s forgiveness or a place in heaven.  It is a gift that people receive through faith in Jesus Christ.

*  The teachings of Luther and his fellow reformers can be summarized in three short phrases:  Grace alone, Scripture alone, and Faith alone.

+  Grace Alone:  God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against him, and do not deserve His love.  God’s love, forgiveness, and salvation are free gifts.

+  Scripture Alone:  The Bible is God’s inerrant (without error) Word, in which He reveals His Law (demands) and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Lutherans teach that God is triune, that is, one God in three persons—the Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and rose to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments.  The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God; and that to ignore or deny one is to discredit them all.

References:  Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 5:23; 1John 2:23; Genesis 1:1; 1John 2:1-2; Romans 15:13

Lutherans teach that God has instituted and commanded baptism; that God himself is present as His name is joined to the water, with all  His power and all His Blessings of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation; that baptism is intended for old and young alike without exception and may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersing; in Holy Baptism, we receive all the blessings of Christ’s atoning sacrifice; and, thus, our entire life is a life lived trusting in the promises of God, given to us in and through Holy Baptism. 

References:  Matthew 28:19; Titus 3:5; Mark 1:14; Acts 16:15; Hebrews 10:22; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:28; Mark 16:16

​Lutherans teach that the Lord’s Supper “is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink”; we do not try to explain how Jesus is present under the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper, rather we simply take Christ at His word; and that in the Lord’s Supper Christ is coming among us, under the bread and wine, to be with us, to join Himself to us, to forgive, renew and strengthen us.  Those attending the Sacrament should trust in God’s promise of His presence in the Lord’s Supper, confess their sins, trust in Jesus as Savior, and desire to live a Godly life.
 

References:  Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:6; 1 Corinthians 11:26-29; Matthew 7:6