But then I wonder if God takes away our free will when we get to heaven? Just as the good angels are fixed in their sinless state now, so also we shall be. On the basis of these commands, the Christian church has baptized infants from the earliest days of its history. To Lutherans, Mary is Jesus' mother and a holy example of humility, servanthood, devotion, and faith. QUESTION: Following a Communion service, what are the prescribed means for the disposal of the consecrated wine and wafers? ANSWER: The LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations has addressed this practice briefly in the question/answer section of its 1983 report on Theology and Practice of the Lord's Supper. Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 11:29 make it important for us to teach people about Holy Communion, or at least be sure they have been taught, before giving it to them. And consider how God can turn the bad things into good for those who love God (Romans 8:28). ANSWER: Lutherans believe both are true and Scriptural: It is possible for a believer to fall from faith and lose salvation, and it is possible for a believer to have complete assurance of eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 1:16-17; 10:17) and the Lord's Supper (Matt. It exists solely for the hearing and doing of God's Word. QUESTION: In our Bible study today, we discussed if there are degrees or levels in heaven and hell. Could you please share the history of close[d] Communion? Jesus said to the malefactor: "Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). 2. 6:3-4). He points out, first of all, that the article on the Descent was added to the Apostles' Creed at a rather late date and that it did not come into general use until the sixth century (much after the Nicene Creed, adopted in 325 A.D. at Nicea; although the date of the Athanasian Creed has been much discussed, there is some agreement that it dates from about 428 A.D.). It should be noted that very early in Christian history methods other than immersion were used and allowed. In the 1753 hymnal it is placed not in the chapter containing Old Moravian hymns nor with the 18th-century Moravian hymns but rather with evangelical hymns from the 17th century (evangelische Lieder im siebzehnden Seculo). [The household formula used here by Luke has Old Testament precedent, with special reference also to small children, as for example in 1 Sam. This faith is produced by the Holy Spirit, who convinces us through the Gospel that our sins are forgiven for the sake of Jesus, who lived, died and rose again for us. It is God's will and express command that a Christian should do good works, which the Holy Spirit works in him. QUESTION: I had been a Missouri Synod Lutheran for many years but never really understood a statement in the Apostles' Creed where it says that Jesus descended into hell. (1 Cor. How does faith play a role in infant Baptism? It is important to emphasize that God has given to Christian congregations the responsibility of administering the Lord's Supper properly and to exercise spiritual care toward all those who desire to commune. 6:4, We were buried therefore with him by [Greek: the instrumental dia] baptism). Where in the Bible does it say Jesus descended into hell? And as our Lutheran fathers have always taught, Baptism confirms the grace of God upon adults who have already come to faith, and strengthens them in their faith, even as the Lords Supper does. Is faith later taken care of when the child is confirmed? 10:16-17, where Paul writes: "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? He would also be able to share more specific information about the form of the baptismal service used in his congregation and the precise wording of the vows that sponsors or godparents are asked to take. The Synod itself adopted a resolution in 1971 that basically left up to individual congregations the decision as to what practice they may want to follow. The other point of reference is page 89 of The Altar Guild Manual: Lutheran Service Book Edition, by Dr. Lee Maxwell that says: If any of the Lords body and blood remains, they can be disposed of in a number of ways. He is the same Christ, and when he gave us the Sacrament, as the Lutheran Confessions affirm, "he was speaking of his true, essential body, which he gave into death for us, and of his true, essential blood, which was poured out for us on the tree of the cross for the forgiveness of sins" (Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration VII, 49). We need to be merciful and forgiving to one another. 11:28, John 3:16, John 6:40) and divine election (John 15:16, Eph. Lutheranism, branch of Christianity that traces its interpretation of the Christian religion to the teachings of Martin Luther and the 16th-century movements that issued from his reforms. Did Jesus Really Visit Hell? If Yes, Why? - The Lutheran Witness 6:1; James 5:19, 20). It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and." 3-08 "To Maintain Practice of Close Communion"). This is precisely what the entire book of James is all about. (Concordia Publishing House, 1960), LCMS theologian Otto Sohn addresses the question, What is the position of The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod with respect to the fate of stillborn children as well as to baptizing them?. QUESTION: How does the Church feel about the theological tension between the universal offer of salvation (Matt. This ought to embolden Christian parents to pray fervently for their unborn children, for God commands us to pray and promises to hear us. 2:14, "Natural man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God.". He reminded his parents of this as well. QUESTION: If I believe someone to be a believing Christian, can I ever criticize him for failing to do good works? But we do know God is all forgiving and that he died for all of our sins. To become more familiar with the LCMS position, you may wish to read the FAQ on Communion Practice. ANSWER: The conceptual framework for the Left Behind series is the so-called "rapture," which is a central aspect of dispensational pre-millennial views of the end times.