What we believe: The Book of Concord
The Lutheran Church does not teach anything which is not directly drawn from the Holy Scriptures. Indeed, the standard by which we judge all teachings of the church is clearly shown in the introduction of theFormula of Concord:
We believe, teach, and confess that the sole rule and standard to which all dogmas together with all teachers should be estimated and judged are the propheticand apostolic Scriptures of the Old and New Testament alone, as it is written Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. And St. Paul: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
The Book of Concord contains the creeds and confessions which have been accepted by the Lutheran Church since the beginning. Being a confessional church, the Lutherans have a standard of doctrine which does not change. Thus all we teach stands under the Bible and is explained in our specific creeds. Unlike the other confessional church bodies, the Lutherans do not change the confessions over time or geography. In this we are unique.
- Augsburg Confession
- Defense or Apology of the Augsburg Confession
- Smalcald Articles
- Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope
- Luther’s Small Catechism
- Luther’s Large Catechism
- Formula of Concord