Communion

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Catholics claim their teachings are from Christ, passed down through Apostolic succession. Where did Luther get his teachings?

Primarily from the Bible; he also looked to the early Church Fathers regarding how they interpreted the Bible, and what was the teaching and the practice that was handed to them by the Apostles; but only to the point where they do not conflict with Scripture. Lutherans strive to maintain the one holy and Apostolic Church but preserving what Christ passed to the Apostles (The Bible) and in turn what the Apostles passed to the Church (Scripture, and those teachings and practices). Regardless of what the Catholic Church teaches; anything that is outside of Scripture or conflicts with it (including Tradition) is questionable. Remaining true to Scripture is safer than maintaining historic tradition that is either absent from, or poorly supported by Scripture. Apostolic Succession is one of these questionable teachings, especially when it is used to control others at the expense of the Gospel. Apostolic Tradition is a cool and honorable historic feature of the Church, but the validity of Word and Sacrament do not hing on it; it hinges on the Word of God, and only on the Word of God.