What do trinity lutherans believe

Luther was a German theologian who realized that there were significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the practices of the Roman Catholic church at that time.

His hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained in the Bible. These comprise the very essence of Lutheranism:.

Lutherans are Christians, believing that Scripture alone is the final authority in this world in our life of faith. We believe that our uniquely Lutheran witness has ongoing relevance in our contemporary world. What about the Sacraments? Lutheran Christianity is a tradition of Word and Sacrament, believing that that sacraments are uniquely tangible Gospel proclamations for us.

A sacrament is simply a material element water, bread, wine, etc. As such, they are means of grace for us. We also do not see them as something we do for God. They are medicine for the soul. Therefore, according to the pattern set forth in Scripture, we administer Holy Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This GRACE takes place at the initiative of God through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, which fully and completely restored the relationship between God and his people.

Faith is not an activity on the part of human beings, but rather the acceptance of what God has done. Lutherans believe that the Holy Scriptures constitute the norm of all faith and practice within the church. Lutherans accept all three of the ecumenical creeds--the Apostles', the Nicene, and the Athanasian Creeds as summaries of the teachings of the Bible. Lutherans also accept a number of sixteenth century documents incorporated in the Book of Concord as further explanations of Scripture over against abuses and misunderstandings that had entered the teaching and practice of the Christian Faith.

Lutherans have used a more restrictive definition of "sacrament" than has the historical church. Lutherans believe that a sacrament is instituted by Christ himself, has visible means, and conveys the forgiveness of sins.

Under this definition only Baptism and Holy Communion are recognized as Sacraments. The other five historical sacraments of the church [penance confession and absolution , confirmation, marriage, orders, and the sacrament of the sick] are seen as important, but a step below the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.