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"The
first thing I ask is that people should not make use of my name, and
should not call themselves Lutherans but Christians. What is Luther? The
teaching is not mine. Nor was I crucified for anyone...How did I, poor
stinking bag of maggots that I am, come to the point where people call
the children of Christ by my evil name?" |
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Why Lutherans? If the Lutheran Church is built on Christ and His Gospel,
why does it take its name from Dr. Martin Luther? Martin Luther preached and taught about the pure Gospel Of Jesus simply and clearly. Luther's teaching led to a reformation of the Church beginning in the year of 1517. Martin Luther is one of the most important figures in the history of the church. Born of the son of a miner in 1483, he grew up as a devout member of the church. Like many people of His day, Luther sought peace with God through the church's system of penance, good works, payments, masses, feasts and pilgrimages. But His efforts left him only with a fear of God's anger and punishment. One day in a monastery, he discovered the Bible, which at that time was available only to priestly scholars. When Luther began to read the Bible, he discovered the Good News of God's Love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. He began to preach the this Gospel truth --- that we are saved not by our good works, but only by God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Even though the Pope condemned Luther, he continued to teach the Bible with authority. Many princes, scholars, clergy and common people joined him in a new fellowship of people loyal to the Scriptures and confessing salvation by grace alone through faith. This is how the Lutheran Church began. The title, "Lutheran" was originally a term of derision given by opponents. It has been retained because it stands for a distinctive understanding and confession of the Gospel. To be a Lutheran then means, to uphold, the basic principles Luther attested. THE SCRIPTURES ALONE are our authority - Sola Scriptura GRACE ALONE saves us - Sola Gratia We receive God's grace by FAITH ALONE - Sola Fide Lutherans DO NOT worship Martin Luther or regard his writings as infallible. They, however, thank God for using Luther to draw the church back to the Gospel - the one foundation on which Christ stands forever. AN INVITATION
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