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Association of Free Lutheran CongregationsEvangelical Protestant |
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Denomination History, Practices and Beliefs IntroductionThe Association of Free Lutheran Congregations is a free association and not an incorporated synod. Each of the local congregations is a separate corporation. It was formed in 1962 from churches by the members of the Lutheran Free church who did not desire to join with the American Lutheran Church. The principals for the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations include the belief that the unity of Christian spiritualism is not part of a man made organization. They do not believe in the World Council of Churches or the National Council of Churches. They believe the congregation has no authority above that of the Word and the Spirit of God, and they recognize the Bible as the inspired and inerrant authority in all matters of faith and life. They believe that teaching and preaching the Word of God is the main task of the Church and they abide in the teachings as set forth by Matin Luther. The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations emphasizes a living and personal Christian experience without the complexity of doctrine or organizational authority. They are against ritualism and formalism and they desire to nourish the spiritual life in simplicity upon the Word of God. Most of the congregations are located in the Upper Midwest. Their headquarters and Bible School and Seminary are located in Plymouth Minnesota History The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations was formed in 1962 from churches that were members of the Lutheran Free church who did not desire to merge with the American Lutheran Church. They believed they needed a new conservative evangelical Lutheran fellowship and a Free Church heritage. They decided to keep the Fundamental Principles of the Lutheran Free Church that were committed to promoting free and living congregations. They have a common purpose in seeking to join together as free congregations for Christian fellowship, mutual edification, and the salvation of souls. There are no attachments of obligation that binds them except those which the Holy Spirit lays upon them. Belief The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations believes the Bible is the complete written Word of God. They believe it is the authentic and infallible source of the revelation of God to all men. They hold the Bible as the Word of God under all circumstances. They reject any affiliations or any associations which do not accept the Bible alone as definitive for the life and practice of man and the church. They do not endorse one version or revision of the Bible to the exclusion of others. They recommend all as relevant and true translations. They believe and accept the Apostles, Nicene, and the Athanasian Creeds. They use Luther’s Small Catechism and the unaltered Augsburg Confession as the true expression of the Christian faith and life. They believe that children of God are those which believe and accept the work of Jesus Christ for his salvation and receive baptism. They believe Jesus prayed that those who believe in Him might find and accept each other in fellowship. The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations foresees their congregations cooperating with the Protestant churches in the areas of evangelism and witness to their communities, with the understanding that they can not compromise their Lutheran understanding of Scripture. They believe the local congregations have the final human authority in the churches and are subject to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. They believe that Scripture does not command or forbid any organization for fellowship of the congregations. The conferences of the congregations do not ratify laws for the congregations. They recommend actions and then practice them. The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations believe the Holy Christian Church consists of those who believe in their hearts that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. They believe true Christians refrain from any acts, thoughts, and words that are against the stated law of God. They also believe actions and practices are neither forbidden nor are they encouraged in Scripture by name, however, the true believer will search the Scriptures for principles to guide their decisions and conduct. The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations believes the Guiding Principles of the Lutheran Free Church as the true statement of belief regarding church government. The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations selects and calls their own pastors, conducts their own worship service, fellowship, and maintains their own property. The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations believes every Christian makes their own decisions as to life and practices in the presence of his God. They believe each Christian appreciates counsel of fellow believers. They are aware that there is a separation between Christians and the carnal people of the world. They believe Christians will avoid belonging to organizations which practice a religion without Christ as the only Savior. They believe belonging to these groups will place the believers in a hopeless position and will destroy their witness for Christ. The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations believes in a simple worship and they make no recommendation to what liturgy or vestments to use. They believe they are following after the earliest Christian with their simple order of service. They believe the preaching of the Word of God must be the central part of the service. They believe the use of hymnals should be used to give honor to the Word of God and the Sacraments. |
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MLA Style Citation: About the Author
Joanne B. Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is a Religious Philosophy student of Liberty University, and a Homeschool parent and child advocate. She is well-known as a counsleor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on the history of development of the Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults. |
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