The Lutheran Church and belief.?

Question

I go to a lutheran church, and have for my entire life. Now I have recently begun conformation, and I have come to the conclusion that conformation is a pointless ceremony, and it is not even in the bible. Also, why are babies babtized? Isn't that taking away from your free will? Becuase babtisim is to recieve the holy spirit. Shouldn't it be your choice to recieve the holy spirt, not have it forced on you when you are too young to know what is happening? I guess my main question here is; what do you think of the lutheran church and religion? What is your view on batisim? And what sect of Christianity sticks to the bible and has no ceremonies that were made up and aren't in the bible?

Answer 1

I would suggest starting with the following links. These are the statement of beliefs for the three main Confessional Lutheran Churches in the United States:
WELS (This We Believe)
http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2617&collectionID=783&contentID=57301&shortcutID=20288

ELS (We Believe, Teach and Confess)
http://www.evangelicallutheransynod.org/believe/els/webtc.html/

LCMS (Belief and Practice)
http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=112

To answer your second question, the churches of the Reformation and certainly Confessional Lutheran Churches did/do not confess or believe in the concept of human "free will" when it came to the doctrine of Justification. We baptize infants as well as adult believers because it is the Gospel/Word of God that works faith in an unbeliever's heart. In all examples of Baptism in the Scriptures, the Word of God was preached to the first. To be honest, it doesn't sound like your church has been teaching you correct Lutheran Doctrine/Theology, which comes from the Holy Scriptures. I would seek out a good Confessional Lutheran church that clings to the Holy Scriptures as the source of all doctrine and the Lutheran Confessions.

Here is an excerpt from Martin Luther's Small Catechism on Baptism:
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism


As the head of the family should teach them in the simplest way to those in his household.

THE INSTITUTION OF BAPTISM

First: What is Baptism?
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used by God's command and connected with God's Word.
Which is that Word of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!"

THE BLESSINGS OF BAPTISM

Second: What does Baptism do for us?
Baptism works forgiveness of sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. What are these words and promises of God? Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

THE POWER OF BAPTISM

Third: How can water do such great things?
It is certainly not the water that does such things, but God's Word which is in and with the water, and faith which trusts this Word used with the water. For without God's Word the water is just plain water and not baptism. But with this Word it is baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of rebirth by the Holy Spirit.
Where is this written?
St. Paul says in Titus, chapter 3, "God saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.

THE MEANING OF BAPTISM FOR OUR DAILY LIFE

Fourth: What does baptizing with water mean?
Baptism means that the old Adam in us should be drowned by daily contrition and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. Where is this written?
St. Paul says in Romans, chapter 6, "We were buried with Christ through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

What do I think about Baptism? From my study of the Holy Scriptures and Doctrine/Theology, I believe that "Descission Theology" and "Believers Baptism Only" (also called Anabaptism) is unscriptural. A lot of churches have fabricated these concepts in order to advance their ideas of "Free Will" so that it all fits nicely in a neat package. I think the source of this comes human reason and not the whole of the Scriptures.

To answer your last question, "And what sect of Christianity sticks to the bible and has no ceremonies that were made up and aren't in the bible?" I would say that Confessional Lutheranism sticks to the bible. Sure we have a Service of Holy Baptism, but the liturgy comes form the Holy Scriptures.

Answer 2

I am also baptized and confirmed Lutheran. Baptism is to wash away the sin inherited from the past generations (unto the 7th generation). The child's parents make this decision for the child. Confirmation is the child's (usually) chance to learn what Luther believed and to decide for him/her self if s/he wants to continue as a Lutheran. Being confirmed says, "Yes, I also believe what Martin Luther believed in and wish to tell everyone else that I do." So you are given a choice when you are old enough and hopefully smart and mature enough to make an intelligent choice for yourself. Only very fundamentalist groups follow the Bible word for word and don't have rituals that they use in worship services. Most Amish and Mennonite sects do this. I have been to many churches of all faiths and still prefer the Lutheran service of worship because the congregation is more involved that in other churches.

Answer 3

Well first of all our Lord was baptized and if your read the Acts of the Apostles throughly, you will find that whole households were converted to the faith and that included women, children, slaves and free.
Jesus left clear instuctions to the Apostles, to baptize all in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Confirmation for the Apostles happened on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit overshadowed them, Confirmation strengths the gifts you received in Baptism so all these ceremonies you think are made up all came directly from the Bible and tradition.

You really don't sound ready to receive Confirmation since you dont' seem to know anything about it. You might talk to your teacher or minister about more instruction time.

Answer 4

I invite you to read a page I did on The missouri Synod of The Lutherans... it may answer some of your questions... and I also invite you to then start at the home page and go through some of what I have there.. it may answer some of your other questions.
Here is the direct link to the Lutheran page: http://pages.zdnet.com/mikevanauken/outreach/id85.html

Answer 5

Yeah well how come eight-year olds are baptized then? They don't have much say in the matter either. No Christian sect actually sticks to the Bible. For example, the Baptists have spontaneous salvation, and Jesus said not one word about that one.

Answer 6

Well, they call the Lutheran church diet Catholic for a reason. There's only a few differences between the two. But I like it, my grandparents were Lutheran.

Answer 7

I’ve been a member of the Baptist Faith in my walk with God. I think Baptists stick closest to the New Testament belief in God the Father – Creator of all that is, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – Son of God who’s blood was shed for the payment of the sins of those who believe, and the Holy Spirit which is placed on the inside of the believer at the time one accepts Jesus into their heart. The Baptist church does not baptize babies because baptism, as demonstrated by Jesus, is for those who want to make a public declaration of their faith and belief in God the Father. However, babies are blessed in the Baptist church. Families come and the pastor along with the church prays over them. Baptists believe that a personal relationship with God is far more important than any ritual or religion. We place emphasis on spending time in prayer, fasting, personal worship, study of the scriptures (King James Version), listening to God’s voice as He directs our steps for the purpose of fulfilling His preplanned destiny for our life and to, more importantly, glorify Him. I’ve heard the negative things said about the Baptist Faith but my understanding is that everyone’s Christian denomination has a flaw here or there. God gave us the ability to have faith and follow Him but we are still wrapped up in these flesh bodies (human) so we won’t get them all right. The thing that saddens me is that Christians have become so divided on the correct interpretation of the scriptures that many feel it necessary to divide the body of Christ just so they can fellowship with people who believe as they do. For instance, the Pentecostals and Apostolic’s believe that the ability to speak in tongues is the best if not only way to discern that a Christian has the Holy Spirit. However, if you read I Corinthians 14:26-28 the bible say’s that if someone does speak in tongues there should be an interpreter present so that the body (of Christ) can be edified (taught and encouraged). In I Corinthians 12:1-4-20 the bible explains that there are many different spiritual gifts given by God to many different members of the body of Christ so that we must depend upon and have need of one another to function as one body. No one is separate but that is what the Christian church has done. In any case I’d say to anyone who is Christian or by the grace of God becomes a Christian before you join any church make sure you read your bible and so that you are able to discern whether a church is following the bible closely or if it’s all wrapped up in ritual, religion, and tradition which can never please God.

Hebrews 11:16 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Answer 8

Are you sure you're Lutheran or just trying to pick a fight? Why doesn't your Pastor answer those questions for you? I think arguing about any religious question at all is pointless...

Answer 9

I was confirmed a Lutheran. I've been an atheist, though, for over 20 years. It was questions like that which eventually allowed me to be free of my religious indoctrination.

Good luck to you.

Answer 10

there all liberal???? the ELCA is ultra liberal, but the LCMS is moderatly consrvative and the WELS is ultra conservative