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Lutherans practice infant baptism. Lutherans hold that Baptism is a saving work of God, [123] mandated and instituted by Jesus Christ. [124] Baptism is a "means of grace" through which God creates and strengthens "saving faith" as the "washing of regeneration" [125] in which infants and adults are reborn. [126]
The Lutheran Church practices "Confession and Absolution" [referred to as the Office of the Keys] with the emphasis on the absolution, which is God's word of forgiveness. Indeed, Lutherans highly regard Holy Absolution. They, like Roman Catholics, see James 5:16 and John 20:22–23 as biblical evidence for confession. [2]
In practice, a person being baptized may be wholly or partly immersed in water, water may be poured over their head, or a few drops may be sprinkled on their head. [10] It symbolises a washing away of sins and welcomes the person to the church community. Lutherans teach that at baptism, people receive regeneration and God's promise of salvation ...
The consecrated elements are treated with much respect and in many areas are reserved as in Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican practice. [25] The Feast of the Corpus Christi was retained in the main calendar of the Lutheran Church up until about 1600, [26] but continues to be celebrated by some Lutheran congregations. [27]
The following table compares beliefs, practices, or views of members of ELCA across two years, 2007 and 2014. [57] Each row represents a specific belief, practice, or view. Columns show the percentages for each year and the change between them. Each entry is broken down into different responses.
The Lutheran Confessions: History and Theology of the Book of Concord (2012) Bodensieck, Julius, ed. The encyclopedia of the Lutheran Church (3 vol 1965) vol 1 and 3 online free; Brauer, James Leonard and Fred L. Precht, eds. Lutheran Worship: History and Practice (1993) Granquist, Mark. Lutherans in America: A New History (2015)
Confessional Lutherans maintain that faithfulness to the Book of Concord, which is a summary of the teachings found in Scripture, requires attention to how that faith is actually being preached, taught, and put into practice. Confessional Lutherans believe that this is a vital part of their identity as Lutherans.
Some Lutheran pastors and theologians are now beginning to ask whether it is permissible to adopt the practice of the Eastern church and to confirm/chrismate at baptism, including infants. Lutherans do not accept the belief that only a bishop can confirm, as is the custom in the Anglican tradition.