Do you know anything about the Lutherans beliefs?

Question

I'v heard they don't ask Jesus to come into there hearts, that they recieve there salvation through baptism. Is this correct?

Answer 1

It is very hard to answer that in a concise statement. Lutherans believe in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, and subscribe to the Book of Concord (the three ecumenical creeds and seven other documents) sometimes unconditionally, sometimes "insofar as" they agree with the Bible. The wikipedia article has a tremendous amount of reading.

Regarding your two questions (rumours?). The Lutherans, like most Protestants believe in Salvation by Grace alone. They also believe in predestination (like the Reformed and Presbyterians and others) and probably downplay "Accepting Christ" as the act of salvation (as if salvation was up to us). They are more likely to consider faith as a gift from God, and an act of thankfulness for salvation.
The second of receiving faith through baptism. According to wikipedia (and I believe this to be true): They teach that Baptism is a saving work of God (1 Pet. 3:21), mandated and instituted by Christ. I don't know how in Lutheran theology this relates to predestination, which usually says that God chose his elect from before the foundation of the world. (See eg. Eph 1:4).

I am from the reformed churches, and to us, Baptism is a sign and seal of God's covenant. I believe that fits well with 1 Pet 3:21 (Very concise here...books have been written on this :-)

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

What benefits does Baptism give?
It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.
How can water do such great things?
Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God's word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: "He 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"
(Titus 3:5-8).

As for NOT asking Jesus to come into our hearts, that is most certainly not true. We may not make a public profession of this as some churches do (they also see baptism as something WE do, not something GOD does, which is incorrect). However, we ask Jesus to come into our hearts every time we pray, every time we read the word, and every time we celebrate Holy Communion, which is the True Body and True Blood. (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23, and John 6:53-58) We believe that we find Jesus in the Scriptures, in the water of Baptism, and in the wine and bread of Holy Communion.
I was "born again" when I was baptized and became a child of God. My parents raised me in the church. At the age of 14, after 3 years of instruction, I confessed the Apostles Creed before God, my pastor, and the congregation. Thus, reaffirming my faith and becoming a full member of the Lutheran church.
My husband was not baptized as a child and not brought up with any religious education. As an adult, he received instruction that lasted about 6 months, and was then baptized as a child of God.

Predestination: Lutherans believe that while God, in his grace in Christ Jesus, has indeed chosen from eternity to save those who trust in Jesus Christ, He has not predestined anyone to damnation. Those who are saved are saved by grace alone; those who are damned are damned not by God's choice but because of their own sin and stubbornness. This is a mystery that is incomprehensible to human reason (as are all true Scriptural articles of faith).

As for any info gained on wikipedia, please remember that while it does have a lot of good information, it also has a lot of bad info.

Answer 3

There are many beliefs under the brand name of Lutheran. But on the whole, they would be understood to be baptized believers.