WELS Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod 380 000 members
WELS
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod � 380, 000 members across 1, 278 churches �Formed in 1850 �Fellowship with the LCMS began in 1872 �Broke fellowship with the LCMS in 1961 �Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit w/ thanks to Pastor Dan Frey � 4 others in greater Kansas City area � Resurrection and Life Lutheran Church, Rochester, MN – w/thanks to Pastor Jon Bitter
Material Principle LCMS WELS �Justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ
Formal Principle LCMS WELS �Scripture (OT and NT)
God LCMS WELS �Biblical Trinity
The Person of Jesus LCMS WELS �Incarnation �Both God and man
The Work of Jesus LCMS WELS �Redemption �Reconciliation �Vicarious Satisfaction/Atonement �Savior
Doctrine of Man LCMS WELS �Fallen sinners in need of redemption, of salvation �Original sin �Bondage of the Will �Total depravity
Salvation/Justification LCMS WELS �Ephesians 2: 8 -9 �Grace Alone �Faith Alone
Sacraments LCMS WELS �A means of grace �Commanded by Christ �With a visible element � Baptism � Lord’s Supper � Absolution
Assurance LCMS WELS �Points you to the means of grace: � Baptism � Lord’s Supper � Absolution �Not based on you or your works, but on God and what He has done for you.
Church and Ministry LCMS WELS Christ � Visible and invisible church � Marks of the Church – Preaching and the � Marks of the Church – sacraments Preaching and the sacraments � One instituted Public Office of ministry – many serve � One divinely instituted office – the Preaching Office within (pastors, teachers, other staff, etc. ) – Eph. 4 or the Office of the Keys � Auxiliary offices are rooted � Synod is considered church in the Office � Unit Concept of Fellowship � Separation of Church and State - WELS paid chaplains � Church as the Body of
Last Things LCMS WELS �Life after Death �Bodily Resurrection �Amillennial
Current Cultural Topics LCMS WELS �Role of Women in the Church �Age of the earth �Abortion �In Vitro Fertilization �Cohabitation �Same-sex Marriage
Miscellaneous WELS �Closed communion is more strict than our own. Doctrinal agreement must be full. �Concerned the LCMS has a desire to be unionistic (Boy Scouts and ALC). �Also concerned about Historical Criticism. �Informal talks between WELS and LCMS leaders.
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