WELS Lutherans..... Denomination or cult???

[Walter]

Yes, actually, I am calling Catholics a cult. In my opinion, anyone who teaches that you must go some route other than directly to Christ, such as catholics, should be classified as a cult.

I notice you only throw the Catholic Church in there. How about Anglicans, Lutherans, Orthodox, et al? Are they also cults?

Power of the Keys | Catholic Answers

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - Christian Cyclopedia

 

[Walter]

WELS pastors in my area will not pray with other pastors (from other denominations) unless they are leading the prayer. If another is leading the prayer, they will either leave the room or pray a prayer independent of the rest of the group.

As for other practices, including confession, those who follow Luther see "faith" as including baptismal regeneration and various other things similar to the Catholic faith. When Luther said "faith alone," he meant something different than what other later protestants believed. It's an historical snafu.

Read an online version of his small catechism for examples. His commentaries also support what I just said.

You would be correct about baptismal regeneration being part of Luther's definition of 'faith alone'. Here is what Lutherans say about it:

'Lutherans teach, as the Bible does, that Baptism is necessary for salvation (Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21), but not absolutely necessary. If one comes to faith and desires baptism as led by the Holy Spirit, but for some reason is denied that opportunity, either by inability, accidental death prior to baptism, etc., one is not necessarily lost because their faith was intact. However, if one claims to be a Christian but refuses baptism, then their faith is not present. They are denying the work of the Holy Spirit, which is the very definition of unbelief, and that is the one damnable sin"
Here is the Methodist teaching on baptism:

Methodist Church: “Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church, are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All of this is God’s gift, offered to us without price.”[7] “The Sacrament of initiation into Christ’s holy church whereby one is incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the spirit. Baptism washes away sin and clothes one in the righteousness of Christ.”

And, the UCC:

United Church of Christ: “The sacrament of baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of God. Through baptism a person is joined with the universal church, the body of Christ. In baptism, God works in us the power of forgiveness, the renewal of the spirit, and the knowledge of the call to be God’s people always. . . . Infants, children, youth and adults. For infants and children, as well as for youth and adults who have never been baptized before, baptism marks their acceptance into the care of Christ’s church, the sign and seal of God’s grace and forgiveness, and the beginning of their Christian faith and life. . . . Parents, in consultation with the pastor, may choose sponsors or Godparents for infants and young children who are to be baptized.

All cults?

 

[Squire Robertsson]

This zombie thread from 2009 is closed.