Martin Luther started with somewhat noble intentions Reform Roman Catholicism Not to start a “new” church Wanted to affirm Bible as sole authority Nailed 95 theses to Wittenburg church “Lutheran” a nickname

Luther ran from Babylon, Passed Jerusalem To Egypt Cannot turn to right Cannot turn to left Must go down the strait path, Mt. 7:13, 14

Began in Germany & spread Nine major Lutheran bodies in N. America -Apostolic Lutheran Church in America -Church of the Lutheran Brethren -Church of the Lutheran Confession -Evangelical Lutheran Church in America -Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Began in Germany & spread Nine major Lutheran bodies in N. America -The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations -Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod -Protestant Conference (Lutheran) -Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Began in Germany & spread Evangelical Lutheran Church in America -4.9 million members -2.3 million communing & contributing -280 adult missionaries -17,651 clergy (1,952 women)

Began in Germany & spread Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod -2.4 million members -1.9 million confirmed -365 missionaries -8,936 clergy

ELCA & LCMS differ on some key points Fellowship of liberal churches View of Roman Catholic Church Nature of Bible authority Authority of Lutheran Confessions Ordination of women

Lutheran beliefs are based on the Bible plus the doctrines of men, Mt. 15:7-9 Longer & Shorter Catechisms Augsburg Confession Smalcald Articles of Faith Formula of Concord Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasain Creeds

ELCA Women “clergy,” 1 Tim. 2:11-15; 1 Pt. 2:9

ELCA Homosexuality: “The first is to deal with the blessing of same-gender unions and the rostering of persons in committed gay or lesbian relationships” Rom. 1:26-32; 1 Cor. 6:9, 10

ELCA The Church: “Lutherans believe that they are part of the community of faith that began…on the day of Pentecost,” and “The ELCA…can trace its roots directly to…the 16 th Century.” Rom. 16:16; Acts 2:47

ELCA Sin: “’Sin’ describes not so much individual acts of wrongdoing as fractured relationships between people…and God. Our every attempt to please God falls short of the mark.” 1 Jn. 3:4; 1 Thes. 4:1, 2

ELCA To become a Christian: “Jn. 11:25, 26”

ELCA To become a Lutheran: “…only Baptism and instruction in the Christian faith is required. If you are already baptized…necessary only to attend a membership class…” Lutheran & Christian are different Acts 2:38

ELCA Creation & Evolution: “…doesn’t have an official position…we believe God created the universe…only not necessarily in six 24-hour days, and that he may actually have used evolution in the process of creation” Ex. 20:11; Mk. 10:6; Gen. 1

LCMS Creeds & Confessions: “…hold the Lutheran Confessions as the correct interpretation and presentation of Biblical doctrine,” and are a “…binding exposition of Holy Scripture as authoritative…” Col. 2:8; Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pt. 4:11

LCMS Sin nature: “By this Fall not only he [Adam] himself, but also his natural offspring have lost the original knowledge, righteousness, and holiness…”

LCMS Sin nature: “…and thus all men are sinners already by birth, dead in sins, inclined to all evil, and subject to the wrath of God, Rom. 5:12, 18; Eph. 2:1-3”

LCMS Sin nature: All men including Christ Why did Adam & Eve sin, Gen. 1:31 Did Christ’s righteousness pass to all, Rom. 5:12, 18

LCMS Sin nature: “By nature” to do what is “against nature,” Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:26, 27 If start as sinners, how can we be REconciled to God, Eph. 2:1-3, 16

LCMS Election: “…God, before the foundation of the world…because of the redemption of Christ, has chose for His own a definite number of persons…and has determined to bring them through Word and Sacrament, to faith and salvation…”

LCMS Election: Reject individual election to hell God’s fault for any lost, cf. Jn. 3:16 Men chosen in Christ, Eph. 1:3, 11; 2 Tim. 1:9 God shows partiality, cf. Acts 10:34

LCMS Sunday: “The observance of Sunday and other church festivals is an ordinance of the Church, made by virtue of Christian liberty…Hence Christians should not regard such…as ordained by God and binding upon the conscience…”

LCMS Sunday: Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1, 2; Heb. 10:25

Martin Luther started with somewhat noble intentions Reform Roman Catholicism Not to start a “new” church Wanted to affirm Bible as sole authority Nailed 95 theses to Wittenburg church “Lutheran” a nickname

Luther ran from Babylon, Passed Jerusalem To Egypt Cannot turn to right Cannot turn to left Must go down the strait path, Mt. 7:13, 14