Confession

What is Confession?  Confession has two parts.  First that we confess our sins and second that we receive absolution, this forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.  --Martin Luther

What is the Office of the Keys?  The office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent. --Martin Luther

This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in john chapter 20:

"Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”    And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.   If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:21-23 (ESV) 

When the called pastor of God speaks the words of absolution, they are not his words or his forgiveness, but rather Christ's Words, in the stead and by the command of God.  This assurance and forgiveness is not found in many churches.  Come to Faith, you will never be the same.

Holy Communion

What is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for the Christians to eat and drink. --Martin Luther

Holy Communion is called that precisely because it is made holy by God Himself. While many are tempted to make Communion what they want it to be or what they can rationalize it to be, the Lutheran Church historically in faith pays close attention to the exact Sacred Words of our Lord concerning Holy Communion.   

The Word is very clear. Jesus Himself is recorded three times as saying, ‘…[Jesus] gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this IS my body.”  ….“Drink of it, all of you,  for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-29 (ESV)  

Not only is it Christ's body and blood, it is also as Jesus says "for the forgiveness of sins.” People doubt this, and so the Apostle Paul further explains, The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV) So this meal, which Jesus called the New Covenant, is a sacred meal, set apart by God Himself, and serves Himself, for the assurance of the forgiveness of sins. Even more than that, we receive into our selves the very body and blood of Jesus physically "in, with and under" the bread and wine. It is physical and we believe that God cannot get any closer than into our stomachs. This is called by Lutherans the "Real Presence." Historically the Christian church for the first 1500 years after Jesus, all believed Jesus was physically received in this sacrament.

Holy Baptism

What is Baptism?  Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water included in God's command and combined with God's Word. Martin Luther

Baptism, like Holy Communion is a sacred act, set apart by God's command [Matthew 28:18].  The Lutheran Church has historically held in high regard all the Words of the Sacred Scriptures concerning baptism. Those who say, baptism is a symbolic act that should be done in a certain way, have taken God's grace-filled New Covenant and have turned it into prescribed law, like the Pharisees in our Lord's day.  

The confusion begins with John the Baptist's baptism. John's was a baptism of repentance. Jesus had not yet given the new baptism of the Holy Spirit. So, John's baptism taught that everyone was called to repentance first. But then Jesus came along and gave us a new baptism OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. The confusion began shortly after John the Baptist. Lucky for us the Apostle Paul came on the scene to clarify the two baptisms. 

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. Acts 19:1-7 (ESV)

John's baptism was not completed until Jesus came onto the scene. Some never got the update from the disciples. This is the notion many evangelicals follow today. Even beyond that, we know for sure that something is happening in baptism because in Holy Scriptures it is called a washing, a renewal, a forgiveness of sins, and a resurrection from the dead.  There are many verses that speak about baptism, here are just a small portion of them:

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins… Acts 22:16 (ESV)

"And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38 (ESV)

"…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:5 (ESV)

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 (ESV)

"Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…"1 Peter 3:21 (ESV)

The discerning mind can clearly see in the Sacred Scriptures that baptism is not merely a symbol but a cleansing flood. Approximately three quarters of Christians today baptize babies because they find it in Scriptures. Come to Faith to learn more, you will never be the same.