The Bible teaches that because of unbelief and sin, no man is acceptable before God and will therefore not go to heaven. Instead, we all deserve eternal damnation.
However, according to the Lutheran interpretation of the Bible, it is possible to become acceptable and righteous to God by having hope for salvation through faith. Hebrews says, “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11: 6). In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle put it this way: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24).
By grace alone
Contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Martin Luther, the doctrinal father of Lutheranism, understood, according to the teaching of the Apostle Paul, that righteousness is solely a gift of God to sinful man. Luther accepted the Catholic Church’s teaching of salvation by the grace of God, but he did not accept the teaching that man himself had a part in salvation. He believed like Paul, who wrote: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
So God freely gives the gift of faith, and with it the gift of righteousness by grace, due to the merit work of His Son Jesus Christ. Righteousness cannot be earned by one’s own works. Paul also wrote: “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” (Titus 3: 5). Even though a believer is still a sinner, God will not condemn him because he has faith in Jesus.
The doctrine of salvation opens up other doctrines
The doctrine of salvation by faith is the central teaching and starting point of the Lutheran faith. When a person receives the gift of faith, he gains understanding of other doctrines by this faith. Timothy is an excellent example of understanding being opened up by faith: “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:15). Jesus described how understanding opens up through faith as follows: “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” (John 7:16-17).
According to Lutheran teaching, the heart of the gospel is the forgiveness of sins. A believer receives forgiveness of sins by complete grace, through the perfect obedience of Jesus. The believer becomes acceptable to God and is saved. In Psalm 32, David sings, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Psalm 32: 1–2).
Birth of faith is an act of the Holy Spirit
Lutherans believe that the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the sharing of salvation. Paul taught the Corinthians in very emphatic words: “Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says ‘Jesus is accursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12: 3).
Luther, like Paul, saw the birth of faith as the work of the Holy Spirit. He wrote thus: “We could never know anything about Christ or believe in him if the Holy Spirit did not offer this treasure through the preaching of the gospel. The work of salvation has been done and is finished. Christ obtained this treasure for us by his suffering, death and resurrection. God has given his word to be preached publicly so that this treasure will not remain hidden but will be put to use. The Holy Spirit brings this treasure to us and gives it to us.” (Luther, Large Catechism)
In his Small Catechism, Luther puts it this way: “I believe that I cannot of my own accord or strength believe in my Lord Jesus Christ and come to him, but that the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified me and kept me in the true faith.” (Luther, Small Catechism)
Salvation can be found in the congregation of God only
It is important to know where this salvation that Jesus has provided us is to be found. Luther wrote about the Holy Spirit, the church He gathered, and how salvation can be found there: “I believe that there is a small holy group of people in the world who are all holy. They have one leader, Christ, and the Holy Spirit has called them together. They have one faith, one mind and one understanding. They have many gifts, but they are united in love and have no quarrels or disagreements.”
So God has a congregation on earth, a group of saved people. The good news of the kingdom of God is preached there, along with repentance and forgiveness of sins, based on the atoning work of Jesus Christ, which any listener can receive personally. This is the kingdom that Jesus himself also called us to seek: “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33).
The church of God is described in Acts: “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul.” (Acts 4:32). The love that Jesus said would be the hallmark of his followers (John 13:35) is also the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul said in his letter to the Romans, “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5). The church of Christ is described in Acts chapter 2: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42).
Luther continued: “I, too, belong to this group and am a member of it. I am a partaker of their treasures and fellowship. The Holy Spirit has drawn me into this company and has associated me with it, giving me the word of God, which I still hear … The Holy Spirit remains in the Holy Church until the last day … He will use the church to preach and practice the word. The Holy Spirit sanctifies and grows us in holiness. In this way we grow and are strengthened every day in the faith created by the Holy Spirit.” (Luther’s Large Catechism).
Author: P.K.
Image credits: SRK Finland