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Confirmation Review

For adults who were never confirmed, a Christianity 101 class is offered on Sunday mornings during the Bible Hour several times a year.  The class evaluates life in light of the Scriptures.  The class is meant as an entry way into the church as well as a review of the faith for those who would like a refresher. This page can be downloaded for reference


Luther's Six Chief Parts

  1. The Creed
  2. The Lord's Prayer
  3. The Ten Commandments
  4. Sacrament of Holy Baptism
  5. The Lord's Supper
  6. The Office of the Keys

Doctrine of the Trinity

Proof passage: 

"Baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Matthew 28

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are One God in Three Persons.

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are equal.

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are eternal.

The church uses a triangle to symbolize this mystical presence.

Doctrine of Creation

Proof passage: 

"God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

He did so in 6 days and rested on the seventh so "creation took six days but creation is not complete without the day of rest.

The Trinity was present at Creation:

"and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters." Genesis 1:2

"By Him (Christ) all things were made." Colossians 1:16

"Let US make man in OUR image." Genesis 1:26

When Man and Woman were created, they were perfect and had a perfect relationship with God.

Doctrine of Inspiration

Proof Passage:

"All Scripture is inspired by God." 2 Timothy 3:16

We believe that Holy Scripture is the inspired, inerrant Word of God. It was given by God through His prophets, apostles and evangelists through the Holy Spirit and the original manuscripts were without error. Today there are no doctrinal errors in the accepted canonical books of the Bible.

Primary author of Scripture is God

Secondary author of Scripture is the prophet or apostle that God used to write the book.

The purpose of all Scripture is to lead us to Christ!

Old Testament is the prophecy of Christ's coming.

New Testament is the fulfillment of the prophecy.

Doctrine of Original Sin and Sins

Proof Passage:

  "In sin did my mother conceive me." All people from conception are spiritually dead and unable to save themselves. Psalm 51:5

Sins of Commission are thoughts, words and deeds that we do. Sins of omission are thoughts, words and deeds we should have done but did not.

There is only one unforgivable Sin, Denying the Holy Spirit, which means to reject Christ before you die,

"THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH." Romans 6:23

Physical and Spiritual death.

"All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23

Books of the Bible

OT = 39 books NT = 27 books Entire Bible = 66 books

(Hint to remember:  The word "Old" has three letters and the word "Testament" has nine letters.  Hence "Old Testament" has 39 books.  Now multiply 3 times 9, and you get 27.  Hence the New Testament has 27 Books.  Add 39 and 27, and you get 66 books!)

Law and Gospel

The law shows us our Sin (Condemnation), The Gospel Show us Our Savior.

Law and Gospel can never be mixed. The Law cannot save you and the Gospel cannot condemn you.

Law acts as a mirror, curb and rule.

Mirror shows your sins

Curb slows you down (conscience)

Rule gives you a straight and God pleasing line to guide your walk by.

The Ten Commandments

The Commandments were given to us to help us live a better life.

Jesus summarized the Commandments by saying.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself" Luke 10:27

Church Membership

Proof Passage:

"Do not forsake the gathering together of the saints as some have done, but rather let us encourage one another as the day draws nearer. Hebrews 10:25

Church membership consists of three things:

  1. The hearing of God's Word on a regular basis.
  2. The giving of time, talent and treasure to extend the Lord's kingdom a faithful walk according to Gods' Word.
  3. God does not need us, but we do need God.

Doctrine of Salvation

The primary work of Jesus is Redemption or Salvation.

Jesus is true God and True Man. (Two Natures of Christ)

  • Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary making Him the Son of Man (Luke 2)
  • He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and has always existed with God the Father making Him the Son of God (Luke 1)
  • Jesus came into this world for one reason. To save us from sin, death and the devil.

He did this by doing two things:

  • He lived the perfect life (fulfilled the law).
  • He suffered Himself as a sacrifice paying the penalty for our sins.

The primary work of the Holy Spirit is Sanctification

  • The Spirit creates faith in us and continues to nourish us throughout our life. 
  • The Spirit does so through the Word (Scriptures), preaching and by prayer. We are not to neglect these things (3rd Comm.)

Sacraments

The Lutheran Church has two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Holy Baptism Lord's Supper

Proof Passage: 

"baptizing them In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" Mattew 28

How much water does it take:

  • Very little, Scripture isn't specific.

How many times should you be baptized?

  • Only once!

What sins does baptism forgive?

  • All sin: original and actual

Sacraments must be three things if it is valid:

  • Physical element combined with the Word of God
  • Forgive sins
  • Commanded by our Lord

If you were baptized a Catholic, does that count in the Lutheran Church?

  • YES!

Transubstantiation

  • Wine become Body and Blood only = Catholic

Memorial Meal

  • Bread and Wine stay Bread and Wine = Reformed

Real Presence

  • Bread and Wine Become Bread, Wine, Body and Blood = Lutheran

1 Corinthians 11 explains our policy on communion:

  • Unrepentant (unconfessed) sinners should not commune.
  • Little children should not commune because they cannot examine themselves.
  • Sinners should commune (we are all sinners) to receive the forgiveness of sins.

We practice Close communion. Why? We believe it is a confession of faith and unity.

  • Open communion = anyone can take communion
  • Close communion anyone in the church body can take communion
  • Closed communion - only the congregation can take communion

People should be in agreement with us on our doctrinal practices and beliefs.

Church Discipline

Proof Text: 

"When a brother sins against you... Matthew 18

Church Discipline steps

  1. Go to an unrepentant sinner alone to confront him
  2. Go with two or three others to confront him
  3. Publicly confront them in the congregation
  4. Excommunicate them until they repent

Church discipline is always practiced with love in order to return the erring to the church for the sake of their salvation.


Recycled Electrons

Our Savior Lutheran Church  808.488.3654
98-1098 Moanalua Road  Aiea, HI  96701