The Reformation and the Reformation Church by Pastor Walter Snyder October 31 is the Eve of All Saints' Day (All-hallows Eve or Halloween). In Lutheranism, it is Reformation Day, recalling Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses about abuses in the Church. The Lutheran Reformation spread from Wittenberg, Saxony in Germany to other areas of Europe, shattering Roman Catholic domination, changing political and social boundaries. Not only was the Roman church split in two---it was broken into many pieces. Most non-Roman churches in the West owe at least part of their existence to the Reformation or its aftermath. While Lutherans are a distinct minority in the world, Martin Luther and the Reformation are integral parts of world history. ~Life~ magazine's millennium edition ranked the man and the event high on its lists. According to the rankings, Luther followed only Thomas Edison and Christopher Columbus in historical importance. The Reformation was likewise listed as third in impact, behind the invention of the printing press (which became an integral part of the spread of the Reformation) and the discovery of America. Because this is a special time for Lutherans, here's a question I'm often asked about our church: Q: What are Lutherans and how are they different (or like) other churches? A: You see resemblances to several other churches among the Lutherans. We believe above all else that Jesus Christ is our only Savior from sin, and that we are saved by grace alone, through faith in Christ Jesus. Human works, no matter how good, are the result of salvation, not its cause. The Lutheran Church is a Biblical church. It holds that the Bible is the only source of Christian teaching. It decides what and how we believe, teach, and confess. In this, you'll see a strong resemblance to many other "Bible-believing" churches. While the Bible is source and norm of doctrine, its teachings are spread throughout its books. By consolidating and clearly proclaiming these teachings, we are also a confessional church. Our statements of belief (creeds) are drawn from Scripture alone. These cover many different subjects. We believe that these confessions are true expositions of the Word, pointing, as does the Bible, to Christ as our Savior and justification by grace through faith. Lutherans are liturgical, following an orderly and ancient pattern (liturgy). With hymns, Scripture readings, sermons, and the Lord's Supper, we also sing songs and chants from the Old and New Testament churches. On any Sunday, literally millions of Lutherans around the world may be singing and praying the very same thing in their own languages. The liturgy isn't intended to be stiff and stuffy, but it is formal. It speaks of the mystery and the majesty of God. In this area, we most resemble the Roman Catholic, Anglican-Episcopal, and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Like these churches, Lutherans are also sacramental. Along with preaching the Word, we practice Absolution. The commission Christ gave His Church to forgive sins is carried out by His pastors among those who confess their sins and profess faith in Jesus. This is done in corporate worship and in private settings. We believe that the pastor's word of forgiveness is as sure and certain as if Jesus Himself were speaking. We believe in baptismal regeneration. Baptism is not seen as a symbolic act or something one does to join the Church. We believe that Christ's words with this water give us forgiveness of sins, new life, and salvation. We baptize infants, since we believe from the words of Scripture that they are born in sin and need Christ's forgiveness and the new life He gives in Baptism. We confess that in the Lord's Supper we not only receive bread and wine to remember Christ's sacrifice, but that miraculously we receive His very body and blood. We believe that eating and drinking this Supper brings forgiven sins, strengthened faith, and closer unity with our Savior. He thus takes us into closer communion with the Father, who is one with Him. The Supper also brings us into closer communion with brothers and sisters in the faith---the body of Christ. We also believe that through unity of doctrine we have true communion in the Lord's Supper; thus, our union in the Body of Christ is strengthened. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2003 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."