Introduction
This commentary on the Church of the Lutheran Brethren Doctrinal Statement of Faith is written for Church leaders, and especially for elders of the local congregation. In the New Testament, elders were appointed by the Apostles Peter and Paul to give guidance to the people and the ministries of their congregations (1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28). The constitution of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren affi rms that the offi ce of elder has been given to the Church to ensure that the work is carried out in accordance with God’s Word.
Chapter One: The Bible
The Bible, including both Old and New Testaments as originally given, is the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God and is free from error in the whole and in the part, and is therefore the final authoritative guide for faith and conduct.
—Church of the Lutheran Brethren Doctrinal Statement of Faith, Paragraph A.
Tradition
How do congregations make decisions? Most things churches do require no new decision; a decision was made long ago that is still in effect. There isn’t a business meeting every Thursday to decide if there will be services on Sunday. Christians have been gathering on Sunday since the Resurrection. It is a Christian tradition. Somewhere, someone made a decision and now the practice of the church, based on that tradition, continues.
—Church of the Lutheran Brethren Doctrinal Statement of Faith, Paragraph A.
Tradition
How do congregations make decisions? Most things churches do require no new decision; a decision was made long ago that is still in effect. There isn’t a business meeting every Thursday to decide if there will be services on Sunday. Christians have been gathering on Sunday since the Resurrection. It is a Christian tradition. Somewhere, someone made a decision and now the practice of the church, based on that tradition, continues.
