Lex Orandi
Lex Credendi
Lex Vivendi
“The law of what is prayed is the law of what is believed is the law of what is lived. “
then it is no longer grace”
– Martin Luther
Grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death
a thousand times trusting in it”
– Martin Luther
christ died for our sins. Romans 1:17”
– Faith alone
Beautiful. Matthew 4:4”
– Word alone
is captive to the Word of God”
– Martin Luther
“We believe teach and confess that you are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, by the word of God alone.
GRACE ALONE
Ephesians 2:8-9
A free gift from god, not by our works and not our decision.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ” not a result of works, so that no one may boast. “If Grace Depends on our cooperation, then it is no longer grace” – Martin LutherFAITH ALONE
Romans 1:17
Trusting that what God says is true, jesus christ died for our sins.
Romans 1:17
“For in it the righteousness of god is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
“Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s Grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it” – Martin Luther
WORD ALONE
Matthew 4:4
The Word of God is good, true, & Beautiful.
Matthew 4:4
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds. Out of the mouth of GOD.”
“I am bound by the Scriptures…and my conscience is captive to the Word of God” – Martin Luther
GRACE ALONE
Ephesians 2:8-9
A free gift from God, not by our works and not our decision.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ” not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
“If grace depends on our cooperation, then it is no longer grace” – Martin Luther
FAITH ALONE
Romans 1:17
Trusting that what God says is true: Jesus Christ died for our sins.
Romans 1:17
“For in it the righteousness of god is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
“Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s Grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it” – Martin Luther
WORD ALONE
Matthew 4:4
The Word of God is good, true, & beautiful.
Matthew 4:4
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of GOD.”
“I am bound by the Scriptures…and my conscience is captive to the Word of God” – Martin Luther
This means that God does all the work and it is a free gift. The only unforgiveable sin is to reject it. Many churches confess this grace but their worship and practices confess the need for works, a decision, or cooperation from the sinner to achieve salvation.
Here’s what makes us different
Creeds
Lutheran’s confess the historic, biblical creeds. The Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene creed, and the Athanasian creed. These help us stand guard against errant Christian doctrine which seek to steal away our faith
Confessions
During the time of the reformation, Luther and fellow believers were called to stand trial for heresy. These are the statements made in defense of their positions. Augsburg Confession, Apology of the Augsburg confession (apology here means a reasoned justification), and Book of Concord.
Creeds
Lutheran’s confess the historic, biblical creeds. The Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene creed, and the Athanasian creed. These help us stand guard against errant Christian doctrine which seek to steal away our faith
Confessions
During the time of the reformation, Luther and fellow believers were called to stand trial for heresy. These are the statements made in defense of their positions. Augsburg Confession, Apology of the Augsburg confession (apology here means a reasoned justification), and Book of Concord.
Sacraments
God uses ordinary means to impart his Grace to unbelievers and his Church. They have the power of salvation, i.e. they produce repentance and forgiveness in the hearer because God has fulfilled his promises through the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.
Liturgy & The Divine Service
God needs nothing from us. Therefore, we do not go to worship primarily to fulfill some obligation to God. Rather we go to worship because, there, God has promised to deliver his gracious gifts to us.
“The most damnable and pernicious heresy that has ever plagued the mind of man was the idea that somehow he could make himself good enough to deserve to live with an all-holy God.”
– Martin Luther
In prayer, in worship, and in practice, our focus is solely on Christ and Him crucified. We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1) and cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus (John 3:5 & 1 Corinthians 12:3) but the holy spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. (Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 12: 7-11)
Rather than “giving back to God ”, We focus on Jesus and what he did and does for us. He accomplished it all. (John 19:30)
Lutherans are sometimes accused of being catholic. While Lutherans don’t “throw the baby out with the bath water” and outright reject everything catholic like many of the reformed churches, we do maintain that which is good, true, & beautiful. Luther’s intentions, when he nailed the 95 theses to the Wittenburg church doors, were to reform the Catholic teachings that were false or corrupted by man, specifically indulgences.
