How are the Lutheran's different from other Christian denominations?

Answer 1

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is simply the largest of the Lutheran churches in the United States (the others being the Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod).

The term "synod" has historically meant "a council or an assembly of church officials or churches." The root meaning of the word is "on the road together" or "walking together." It has been used, therefore, to designate some groups of churches that have officially joined together based on their confessional agreement. Members of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, mean the church was founded in Wisconsin, gospel centered (evangelical), follow the teachings championed by Luther, and walk together publicly in confession of doctrine. http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2601&collectionID=783

Answer 2

Both Lutherans and Baptists are churches of the reformation. Generally, Lutherans are much more structured, while Baptists are more independent. In fact, there are as many differences between different Baptist denominations are there are between Baptists and Lutherans. Some differences between Baptists and Lutherans include:

Baptism doctrine

For Lutherans, baptism is a sacrament and a means of grace. The mode of application in a Lutheran baptism is not important and it is usually delivered by the pouring or sprinkling of water while it is, nevertheless, considered a total spiritual washing and rebirth. There is no proper, awaited age for baptism, as the work in baptism is seen to be God's, thus infants are baptized as soon as possible. The only necessities for a valid baptism are "water and the Word;" and baptisms must be performed in the trinitarian formula (in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.) Adults previously 'unbaptized' also receive this. Godparents make a vow to spiritually nurture a baptized infant in his faith until he "affirms" a role in his own faith in the vows of his confirmation, which is more accurately called "Affirmation of Baptism." Baptism itself in likened to birth or adoption, where God gives new life and claims the child.

For Baptists, baptism is a testimony of a preceding act of repentance and the decided, personal acceptance of Christ as a personal Saviour, Baptism is not a requirement to be saved, but is an act of obedience. Baptist baptism is administered by full immersion as symbolic of the total washing away of sins. Only persons of an age to decide this for themselves and make a personal decision can be considered saved. If you had been baptized in a Lutheran Church as a baby you would be considered unbaptized in a Baptist context. Therefore if, as a Lutheran, you wished to formally join a Baptist church, they would require that you be baptised. For Lutherans, one Baptism is all that is ever needed - even if a person strays from the church, then returns.

Holy Communion

Another difference is the official doctrine of what the bread and wine represent in Communion. Lutherans hold to the idea that the elements actually and truly are the body and blood of Christ - known as the "True Presence" - (although not going as far as the "Transubstantiation" explanation of the Roman Catholic church).

Some Baptists regard them as a symbolic representation of the body and blood, while other "fundamental" Baptists believe everything in The Bible as literal including communion. Children in the Baptist church are permitted to participate from a young age if they are considered to have reached the age of accountability and accepted Christ as their own Saviour. Typically, within the Lutheran church, a period of specific instruction is required before a young person receives their 'first communion," and is allowed to fully partake in Holy Communion. Religious instruction continues with catechism classes until the instructed undergo their "Confirmation," a rite of passage in which the confirmands are given full responsibility for their own faith life. In some smaller, North American synods of Lutheranism, only after Confirmation, are youth allowed to commune. THis is also the standard practice in Australia.

Other differences

As an historic and confessional Church, Lutherans are liturgical in worship and follow the order of the Mass, though usually (especially outside Europe) without the formality of the Roman Catholic Church. Lutheran liturgy, by principle, is not chanted in Latin, but is expressed in a common language understood by all. Baptists tend to be less formal in worship style. Lutherans are also sacramentarian in theology and worship. This accounts for many of the differences in belief and worship. Both Baptism and Holy Communion are, for Lutherans, sacraments and means of grace working towards sanctification and justification and hold a high place in worship. Since Baptists believe that only acceptance of Christ as a personal Saviour is necessary for salvation, Baptists typically observe the same "sacraments," but tend to be more commemorative than sacramentarian.

Answer 3

The Lutheran Church was the protestant church founded by Martin Luther (after he protested the sale of indulgences and many other practices by the Catholic Church which he considered corrupt.

The Episcopal Church is the American equivalent of the Anglican Church (of the Anglican Union). It was founded by King Henry VIII, in his break with the Pope, after the Pope refused to grant him a divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

Answer 4

John Luther was the first to say it is by faith alone that we are saved. In other words, Lutherans believe that it is by your belief in Jesus Christ being the son of God, and his death on the cross, and his resurrection, that we are saved. His death and your belief allows God to forgive you your sins when you ask.

Many non-denominational Christian churches now believe this as well as I the person answering the question.

At the time, this was a radical thought, it was not the sacraments of the church or anything other but the grace of God that saved us.

He was ex-communicated from the Roman Catholic church because of this.

The issue at hand was the Roman Catholics Belief of sacraments of the church:

The seven sacraments-Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick-are the heart of the life of the Catholic Church. When we participate in them worthily, each sacrament provides us with graces-with the life of God in our soul.

Answer 5

TheLutheran Church believes that there are three in the Holy Trinity. God the Father; God the Son; and the Holy Spirit. Three in one is the Holy Trinity.

The Mormon Church doesn't ascribe to the Nicene Creed. They believe that God the Father, Jesus the Christ (literal Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary), and the Holy Spirit are three distinct beings with one purpose.

Answer 6

i don't even go to church