LC-MS Questions and Answers

Topic

• Questions

  • The Bible

    • New Testament

      • What were the ages of Jesus' disciples?
      • How can we be sure the biblical accounts of Jesus' death are accurate?
      • On what date was Jesus born?
      • Were the disciples baptized?
      • How does the Church arrive at a Friday crucifixion?
      • Did Jesus have any siblings?
      • Did Jesus come from the house of David?
      • Can you shed some light on when Jesus was born?

    • Old Testament

      • Why does the LCMS number the Ten Commandments differently?
      • Why is the Old Testament important even today? Hasn't the New Testament replaced it?
      • Was the universe created in six literal 24-hour periods?

  • Doctrines

    • Baptism

      • What is the Lutheran view of Baptism and its purpose?
      • Does Baptism save?
      • Who can be godparents/sponsors?
      • How does faith play a role in infant Baptism?
      • What is the history of infant Baptism?
      • What about infants that die before Baptism?
      • Why do Lutherans use the 'sprinkle' method for Baptism?
      • Do I have to be re-baptized to join the LCMS?
      • Does the LCMS baptize children of unchurched parents?
      • Why do Lutherans baptize infants?
      • What if I were baptized in the Worldwide Church of God when they were considered a cult?

    • Forgiveness

      • Why do bad things happen to good people?
      • Will God forgive me of my sins if I haven't forgiven others?
      • Could you help me to understand repentance?
      • How does a person know if he or she has sinned against the Holy Spirit?

    • Heaven and Hell

      • What happens to people who have not heard the Gospel?
      • What's the LCMS view on the Left Behind series of books?
      • Are there degrees or levels in heaven or hell?
      • Does the LCMS believe in the rapture?
      • Can you sin in Heaven?
      • What happens when people die?
      • Are my family members with God, or are they asleep until the end of the world?

    • Salvation

      • On what should we base our assurance of salvation?
      • If God already predetermined who was saved, what is the point of witnessing?
      • If we do good, will we be saved?
      • Do believers have eternal assurance?
      • Could you help me to understand faith and good works?
      • What does the LCMS believe regarding man's freedom of will?
      • Did God choose everyone to be saved before the foundation of the world, and therefore it is man's choice whether he will accept God's saving grace?
      • If a Christian is already saved, should he/she do good works?
      • Do we have to try to amend our life in order to be saved?
      • Can you lose your salvation? https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs/faqs/doctrine#lose
      • Would you explain 'predestination' in Romans 8 and Ephesians 1?

    • The Creeds/Prayer

      • Who wrote the common table prayer?
      • Why is word 'descended into hell' not in the Nicene Creed?
      • Are there degrees or levels in heaven or hell?
      • Where in the Bible does it say that Jesus descended into hell?
      • Can you explain why Jesus had to descend into hell?
      • Is it correct theology to say Jesus is God or God is Jesus?
      • To whom shall we pray?
      • Do we commune with the sacrificed or resurrected body and blood?
      • Can a person use wheat and gluten free Communion wafers as an option?
      • Are only LCMS members able to commune at an LCMS church?
      • Who may take Communion to the sick and/or shut-ins?
      • What does the LCMS teach regarding who may partake in Communion?
      • What is the LCMS position on early Communion?
      • Where in the Bible does it say that Christ's body and blood are present at Communion?
      • Can I get sick from using the Common Cup?
      • Can women serve Communion?
      • Could you please share the history of close[d] Communion?
      • What are the prescribed means for the disposal of the consecrated wine and wafers?

  • Worship and Congregational Life

    • Church Year

      • What is the history of Advent and the Advent wreath?
      • What is the significance of Ash Wednesday and ashes on the forehead?
      • How do you determine the date of Easter each year?
      • Could you please explain Epiphany and the Circumcision of our Lord?
      • Do Lutherans give up something for Lent?
      • What is the significance of Lent?
      • What are the advantages/disadvantages of using the one-year or three-year lectionary?

    • Congregational Life

      • What is the LCMS’ stance on clergy promoting political candidates in the pulpit?
      • What is ecclesiastical supervision?
      • How do Lutherans understand church and state?
      • Should pastors be involved in politics?
      • Could you please explain CRM status for a pastor?
      • What is “pastor emeritus,” and how does a pastor receive this title?
      • Could you please explain what is meant by “Divine Call”?
      • Why are women not allowed to become ministers in the LCMS?
      • Where should the American and Christian flags be placed?
      • Does the LCMS have any genealogy resources?
      • How does the HIPAA Privacy Rule affect LCMS congregations?
      • Who may read Scripture during a church service?
      • What is the role of elders in a congregation?
      • What is the background of using a Corpus Christi Cross or an empty cross?
      • How do I properly dispose of a Bible or American flag that is unusable?
      • What are the prescribed means for the disposal of the consecrated wine and wafers?
      • How does the LCMS feel about using a crucifix in church?
      • What is the LCMS’ position concerning tithing?

    • Membership

      • Who is a member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod?
      • How do I join an LCMS congregation?
      • Why should a person join a congregation?
      • What are the most common names for LCMS congregations?
      • What are the largest LCMS congregations?
      • When has the LCMS met in convention, and which cities have hosted it?
      • What are the names of the LCMS presidents and their terms in office?

  • Denominations

    • Lutheran Denominations

      • Can an LCMS member commune at a non-LCMS church? Can a non-LCMS member commune at an LCMS church?
      • What are the main differences between the LCMS and the ELCA?
      • What has the LCMS stated about its theological differences between the ELCA?
      • What are the main differences between the LCMS and the WELS?
      • With which worldwide church bodies does the LCMS have altar and pulpit fellowship?

    • Other Denominations

      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Assembly of God church?
      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Baptist church?
      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Episcopal church?
      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Evangelical Free church?
      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Methodist church?
      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Mormon church?
      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Nazarene church?
      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Pentecostal churches?
      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Presbyterian church?
      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Reformed churches?
      • What are the differences between the LCMS and the Roman Catholic church?
      • What's the Lutheran response to the Roman Catholic teaching of purgatory?
      • What is the Synod's belief regarding the salvation of Catholics who adhere to Roman dogma?
      • Why are there so many denominations?

  • LCMS Views

    • Christian Citizenship

      • What is the LCMS stance on the death penalty?
      • What is the LCMS stance on war?
      • What is the LCMS stance on serving in the military?

    • Contemporary Issues

      • What is the LCMS position on the consumption of alcohol?
      • What is the LCMS position on Christmas trees?
      • What is the LCMS position on demonic possession? Does the LCMS retain the Rite of Exorcism? Does the LCMS have special clergy assigned to this task?
      • What is the LCMS position on gambling?
      • Has the LCMS taken an official position regarding the Gideons?
      • Why does God allow tragedies to occur?
      • What is the LCMS position on the celebration of Halloween?
      • What is the LCMS position on horoscopes?
      • What is The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s stance on membership in lodges, fraternal organizations, and fraternities?
      • What is The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s response to the anti-Semitic statements made by Luther?
      • What is The LCMS position on using marijuana?
      • Why are Masons not allowed in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod?
      • Is it ever not sinful to lie?
      • What is the LCMS position on getting tattoos?
      • How does The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod see the Emmaus Community and the Walk to Emmaus?
      • What is the LCMS position on Yoga?

    • Family, Marriage and Human Sexuality

      • What is the LCMS position on interfaith marriage?
      • Does the LCMS care about the location (e.g., outdoors) of a wedding ceremony?
      • What is the LCMS position on sex before marriage?
      • What is the LCMS position on having two ministers from different denominations at a wedding?
      • Is it OK to play 'Wedding March' from Richard Wagner's opera 'Lohengrin' at a wedding?
      • What is the LCMS position on divorce?
      • What is the LCMS position on same sex marriage?
      • What is the LCMS response to homosexuality?
      • Can practicing homosexuals serve in the church?
      • What is the Synod's view on masturbation?
      • Should an LCMS pastor marry an older couple without a wedding license?

    • Life Issues

      • What is the LCMS view of abortion?
      • What is the LCMS position on cloning?
      • What is the LCMS position on cremation?
      • What is the LCMS position on euthanasia?
      • What is the LCMS position on organ donation?
      • What is the LCMS position on suicide? Does suicide condemn a person to hell?
      • How should I talk with children about the death of a family member?

    • The Bible

      • What is the LCMS position regarding the age of the earth?
      • Do animals go to heaven?
      • Are Bible stories true?
      • Is there a Bible translation that the LCMS prefers?
      • Is the Bible inerrant?
      • Is there a connection between the antichrist and the pope?