To many of the souls that we reach out to with the Gospel in our neighborhood, the name “Lutheran” does not mean a whole lot. Some I talk to know that Lutherans are Christians, but they’re not always quite sure what makes Lutherans different from Baptists, Catholics, and other Christian denominations. And I’ve had on more than one occasion while I have been canvassing, the question if Lutherans are Christians. And much of the time I do get the question, “What do you Lutherans believe?”
Because so many don’t know, and because some don’t want to seem divisive, some Lutheran churches have considered dropping the “Lutheran” from their name. Should we? Should we just call ourselves “Mt. Lebanon Church” so as to not confuse anyone, or even worse, to not offend anyone?
The truth is, our Lutheran heritage is important. And labeling ourselves proudly as Lutherans is important because it gives us the opportunity to share what we believe and what we stand for. Being a Lutheran distinctively means to confess and teach: by scripture alone, by grace alone, by faith alone.
By Scripture Alone
As Lutherans we believe, teach and confess that the eternal, unchanging truth of God’s revealed Word in the Holy Scriptures is our only guide in teaching and in practice (2 Cor. 4:2). Traditions, writings by men, and human reason all must bow to the Word of God and can never claim authority over it. Scripture alone is the sole authority in all matters!
By Grace Alone
As Lutherans we believe, teach and confess that God has saved us not because of anything good in us, but only because he has loved us undeservedly (Eph. 2:8). There is nothing we can bring before God that he should consider us worthy of saving. Our good works do not earn us our salvation, it is Christ, who is God’s grace in human flesh, who has earned salvation for us through his perfect life and innocent death in our place. God’s grace comes to us through the Gospel in Word and Sacraments as we hear his Word, receive his body and blood in the Supper, and receive the cleansing of our sins in Holy Baptism.
By Faith Alone
As Lutherans we believe, teach and confess that what Jesus has done for us through his life, death and resurrection becomes ours personally through faith, simply believing that it is all done for us by him (Php. 3:8,9). But even this faith is a gift from God. He is the one who gives us the faith to receive the merits of Jesus as our means of salvation. So not even believing is a work of man, that too is a work of the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament.
So you see what makes us distinctive as Lutherans, is that God receives all credit for all things. The Scriptures that he has given alone reveal all we need to know for our salvation. His grace alone is the reason that he has shown us love and mercy through Jesus, his Son. It’s through faith alone which itself is a gift of God, not by works, that all God promises becomes ours.
This is something to cling to, because this is the truth of God. So celebrate your Lutheran heritage. Cherish it. Thank God for it. And share it!
- Pastor Aaron Bublitz
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