 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
RESOURCES
What is a Lutheran?
The Lutheran Church is named after Martin Luther, who was a monk in Germany
during the 16th Century. Luther was a leader in the Reformation of the Catholic
Church of his time. He translated the Bible into German so that everyone could
read it, he wrote many hymns, and he extended Christian education to all people.
Most importantly, he taught that salvation is a gift from God that comes through
faith alone. Because of Jesus Christ, we are justified-considered righteous
in God's eyes-even with all our sin. We can't ever earn God's love and acceptance,
but through Christ we simply receive it as a gift. That good news, which is
proclaimed for us in the Bible, is the foundation of our church.
Why do Christians
worship?
There are many reasons to participate in weekly worship. It is important for
Christians to come together as a community to help and support one another.
During the service, we hear God's promises for our lives through sermons,
music, reading the Bible, and receiving the sacraments. Then, our worship
sends us out to love and serve other people throughout our world.
What's a sacrament?
There are two sacraments in the Lutheran churc: Baptism and Communion. Both
of these are commanded by Jesus Christ in the Bible and use common, everyday
elements to give us God's gifts. Through the water of Baptism, we become one
of God's children and a member of the Christian Church. Through the bread
and wine of Holy Communion, we are nourished and strengthened in faith. There's
nothing magical about the water, bread, and wine we use-they're just ordinary
things. But the sacraments are important for our lives as Christians because
of God's love and promises that are present there for us.
Why do we worship
on Sunday, instead of on the Sabbath (or Saturday)?
The Sabbath is a day of rest corresponding to the day of rest after creation
(Genesis 2:3). Jewish Christians continued to observe the seventh day as Sabbath
for a time, but Sunday soon emerged, by choice of Christians, as a day of
worship because Christ had risen on that day (Matthew 28:1-10). There is no
divinely appointed day of rest in the New Testament. From the Augsburg Confession: "Those who consider the appointment of Sunday in the place of the Sabbath
as a necessary institution are very much mistaken, for the Holy Scriptures
have abrogated the Sabbath and teach that after the revelation of the Gospel
all ceremonies of the old law may be omitted. Nevertheless, because it was
necessary to appoint a certain day so that the people might know when they
ought to assemble, the Christian church appointed Sunday for this purpose...For
the sake of Christian love and peace (Sundays and festivals) should be willingly
observed." From the Lutheran Cyclopedia
If Jesus was a
Jew, then why don't we celebrate the Jewish holidays instead of Christian
ones?
It is true that Jesus was a Jew. This is why, when reading the Gospels, we
come across Jesus remembering the Passover. After Jesus was crucified and
raised, it was realized that God was speaking to us in new ways through Jesus.
Thus it was that the events of the life of Jesus became more important for
us than the harvest festivals of the past. Even the Exodus was replaced by
God now delivering us from slavery to sin and death through Jesus. As Jesus
gave new meaning to the Passover for us, it was re-interpreted as the Sacrament
of Holy Communion. Jesus called people to be his disciples. It was after his
ascension that his followers came to be known as Christians. We study the
festivals and religious ceremonies of the Jews as they help give understanding
to our faith relationship with God. But they no longer are helpful for us
in our celebration of God's gracious and saving presence.
Important Links:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: www.elca.org
Minneapolis Area Synod: www.mpls-synod.org
Luther Seminary: www.luthersem.edu
