Faith Only?

[ratchet30]

I understand Lutherans believe in faith only but why do they also believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are needed for salvation? Can anyone explain what it means that these are 'means of grace'?

 

[DaRev]

I understand Lutherans believe in faith only but why do they also believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are needed for salvation? Can anyone explain what it means that these are 'means of grace'?

We believe that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone on account of the works and merits of Christ alone. There is nothing that WE can do of our own will that can in any way gain or earn our salvation.

The means of grace are the ways in which God gives us His free gift of faith and forgiveness won for us by Christ on the cross. The Sacraments are His work, not ours. We believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, but not absolutely necessary as there may be situations where baptism cannot be done. But Christ commands that we be baptized, and the Scriptures do teach that baptism saves us as a work of God. It unites us with Christ's death and resurrection, making His death to sin our death to sin, and His resurrection to eternal life our resurrection to eternal life.
The Lord's Supper is also a means of grace in that we receive Christ's actual body and blood, given and shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins. In this Sacrament we receive forgiveness and life that was won for us on the cross.
The preached and spoken Word is also a means of grace in that it is by the word of Christ that we come to faith. God works through His word and it does what He sends it to do. St. Paul tells us in Romans 10, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the message of Christ."

 

[seajoy]

Yeah - What Rev said.

 

[alexnbethmom]

ratchet - listen to Rev - he's very very smart, and knows what he's talking about, and won't steer you wrong....

i'm so very happy to see you inquiring so much about Confessional Lutheranism - it makes my heart very happy....

 

[Bryne]

I understand Lutherans believe in faith only but why do they also believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are needed for salvation? Can anyone explain what it means that these are 'means of grace'?

That rev said about baptism explains that well...but I want to add a little. Often people say to me that getting baptized is a work...because they view baptism as someone going up to a baptismal tank, getting in, and getting dunked.

The person had to do something in order to be baptized, therefore it is a work. I usually respond by asking how an infant is doing any sort of work when he or she is baptized? An infant can't choose to be baptized...cannot approach the baptismal...can't do anything to contribute to the baptismal ceremony. An infant is truly helpless before God.

And yet, we teach that through the water and the Word, God imparts grace, forgiveness of sin and faith to this infant. It is entirely the work of God.

In reality, it isn't any different when an older child or adult is baptized. They are also truly helpless before God and their baptism is also entirely the work of God.

As far as baptism being necessary for salvation, Rev explained that well.

As for the Lord's Supper. I have never heard it taught that we need the Lord's Supper for salvation...only that through the Lord's Supper, we receive grace, forgiveness of sins and our faith is strengthened. This is not a work on our part anymore than baptism is a work. We simply receive Christ and He preforms the work.

 

[LilLamb219]

What da Rev said is scripturally correct.

Think of a King and how he pardons a prisoner. There are many ways that the prisoner receives that pardon...through word of mouth, a piece of paper guaranteeing the pardon, actually being led through the prison doors to freedom, etc.... All of those are valid, but it is still the same one freedom given by the King.

This is similar to how the sacraments are. It is because of our King Jesus Christ that we have our freedom, but God gives us this freedom when He gives us His Word (we find it in scripture), in baptism (the water and Word) and the Lords Supper (He gives us His very own body).