THE LUTHERAN CHURCH BUILT ON THE GOSPEL

For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son,so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life (John 3:16)

This is the Gospel, the “ good news “ of Jesus Christ. This Gospel is the heart of the Christian faith. It is also the heart and foundation of the Lutheran Church. Jesus Christ is the centre of what the Lutheran church believes and teaches.

WHY LUTHERAN?

If the Lutheran church is built on Christ and His Gospel, why does it take its name from Martin Luther ?

Dr. Martin Luther preached and taught the pure Gospel of Jesus simply and clearly. Luther’s teaching led to a reformation of the church beginning in the year 1517.

Martin Luther is one of the most important figures in the history of the church. Born 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 good works, penances, payments, masses, feasts, and pilgrimages. But his efforts left him only with fear of God’s anger and punishment.

One day in the 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 this Gospel - that we are saved not by our good works, but only by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Even though Luther was condemned by the Pope, 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 Luthern 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 Gospel.

To be a 'Lutheran' means, then, to uphold the basic principles Luther stressed.

Lutherans do not worship Martin Luther or regard his writings as infallible.

They thank God for using Luther to draw the church back to the Gospel – the one foundation on which Christ’s Church stands forever.