Bible Question:
Is the “What We Believe” statement of WELS in error?
Bible Answer:
The doctrinal statement of the Wisconsin Synod of the E.V. Lutheran Church (WELS) reveals that these Lutherans believe there is more than one way to be saved. The general title of their doctrinal statement is “What We Believe.” It has many sub-points. It becomes clear in their statement of faith that they teach a person is saved by faith or by baptismal regeneration and by works. In addition, they make serious errors by teaching that believers can lose their salvation and reject the premillennial view of future things by holding to amillennialism.
A snapshot of their doctrinal errors follows.
Baptismal Regeneration
The Lutheran doctrine of baptismal regeneration is heretical for it teaches that one can be saved by water baptism and not by faith alone in Christ alone. This doctrine contradicts another doctrine in their statement. This will be explained shortly.
The Lutheran doctrinal statement about baptismal regeneration is published in the section titled “VI. The means of grace.” Here is the article:
3. We believe that also through the Sacrament of Baptism, the Holy Spirit applies the gospel to sinners, giving them new life (Titus 3:5) :and cleansing them from all sin (Acts 2:38). The Lord points to the blessing of Baptism when he promises, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). We believe that the blessing of Baptism is meant for all people (Matthew 28:19), including infants. Infants are born sinful (John 3:6) and therefore need to be born again, that is, to be brought to faith, through Baptism (John 3:5).1
In this statement three major errors are committed. The first error is that they teach water baptism gives new life to the sinner causing them to be born again. That is, baptism results in regeneration to new life. They refer to Titus 3:5 and John 3:5 as proof of their view. Titus 3:5 says,
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 (NASB)
But we must note that Titus 3:5 states that “He” or God the Father saves people “by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” He saves people by the Holy Spirit who performs the washing of regeneration and the renewing. This is a figurative expression referring to the spiritual cleansing of the sinner. Titus 3:5 does not say that a person is saved by water baptism. It says we are saved “by the Holy Spirit.” The Father does the regeneration and renewing through the Holy Spirit.
The word “washing” cannot refer to water baptism that is performed by a pastor, priest, or a church leader. We are not saved by the act of immersion by some human being. That is clear from Titus 3:5 for the Holy Spirit performs the renewing.
Further, this doctrine contradicts their own doctrinal statement in the section titled ” Justification by grace through faith.”2 In paragraphs 2-4 their doctrinal statement clearly states that sinners are saved by grace alone through faith alone and not by works. Since baptism is a work, it is contradictory to now say that adults and infants can be saved by water baptism or faith plus water baptism. Paragraphs 2-4 correctly interpret and apply Scripture, and not the section “VI. The means of grace.”
Ezekiel 36:25-31 helps us understand Titus 3:5 for it echoes that passage. In Ezekiel 36:22-31 God the Father states that He and He alone takes the initiative to save His people. He says that He sprinkles or cleanses a person from sin and removes their filthiness. That means He imputes them with righteousness. The sprinkling is not a reference to water baptism since God accomplishes the salvation. Surely, God does not rain down water from heaven upon the individual in order to save them.
Then we are told that He and He alone gives a new heart and puts the Holy Spirit within a person (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Jeremiah 31:31-34 is a complementary passage that speaks of the new covenant and the forgiveness of sins. Both passages are summarized in Titus 3:5.
God the Father saves us by the Holy Spirit, which results in the new birth. When John 3:5 says that we are born again, the Greek word for “born again” means “born from above.” Once again this teaches that we are not born by water baptism but by God Himself. He gives sinners faith. Faith is a gift from the Father (Acts 3:16; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Peter 1:1). So, the faith is a gift and consequently salvation is a gift.
Again, we should repeat the act of baptism is a work. In water baptism, a person must participate in this work by preparing for the ritual and participating in the act. Therefore, since Ephesians 2:8-9 says we are not saved by works, then water baptism cannot save. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. How can baptism be inserted into this statement?
This reveals that a second error exists in the WELS’s doctrinal statement when it says that baptism forgives all sin. But in John 8:24, Jesus says that without believing in Him, we will die in our sins. Jesus did NOT include water baptism in His statement.
The third error in their statement, is that they refer to Mark 16:16 for support. But this verse is a highly disputed passage in the book of Mark. This is a fundamental violation of biblical interpretation. For when a passage of Scripture is very questionable, it should not be used to support a doctrine.
The fourth error is that they teach infants can be saved by water baptism. They claim that faith is imputed to infants in the act of baptism. Such a statement cannot be found anywhere in the pages of Scripture; hence there is no support for such a claim.
Loss of Salvation or Fall From Faith
The second major WELS doctrinal error is that they teach believers can lose their salvation, or “fall from faith.” Here is their statement in the section titled “Justification.”
“9. We reject the teaching that believers can never fall from faith (“once saved, always saved”), because the Bible says it is possible for believers to fall from faith (1 Corinthians 10:12).”3
They state that their teaching is based on 1 Corinthians 10:12 which says,
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NASB)
But unfortunately a careful reading of the verses before and after 1 Corinthians 10:12 reveal that the context is not about salvation. Thus it is difficult to believe that verse 12 is about salvation, and not something else.
If we examine the context before verse 12, we learn that it is about the idolatry of Israel. The context after verse 12 is a warning about avoiding temptation. A plain, literal reading of the context before verse 12 is about over-confidence in the midst of temptations to sin. Thus the context and after reveals the verse is not about losing one’s salvation, but about avoiding temptation in order to flee sin. So, this is not teaching that a believer can lose their salvation.
The doctrinal statement also ignores John 6:37, 39, 40, 44, 47, and 54. These verses reveal that six times Jesus told us He will not lose anyone who becomes a Christian. For example, in verse 37 Jesus said,
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. John 6:37 (NASB)
Here Jesus tells us that He will certainly not cast out anyone who comes to Him. That is, our God will not cast out anyone who becomes a Christian, a true believer. We must also notice that the words “certainly not” are translated from two Greek words that are normally translated as “no” or “not.” It is called a double negative in the Greek. That means Jesus very strongly emphasized that He will NOT cast out any true believer.
Then in verse 39, He said that He will lose no one and will raise up every believer on the last day. In verse 40 He repeats that He will raise up every believer on the last day. The message of all these verses is that once a person becomes a believer, Jesus WILL NOT lose any of them and He WILL raise them on the last day. That is, every true believer will not lose their salvation.
In John 10:28-29, Jesus makes another stronger statement,
And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. John 10:28-29 (NASB)
Again, Jesus used a double negative when He said that those who are given eternal life will NEVER perish. It is not possible for a believer to lose their salvation. Then He adds that no believer can be snatched out of His hand and also the Father’s hand. Jesus gave us double security when He included the Father. There are many other passages that reveal a true believer is eternally secure from losing their salvation.
Those who claim a true believer can lose their salvation have failed to read and recognize that 1 John 2:19 says this,
They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19 (NASB)
A believer can never lose their salvation. Only those who falsely claim or falsely believe they are Christians will abandon Christ. That agrees with Matthew 7:21-23 where Jesus said that on judgment some people will claim to be a Christian who are not because they never truly believed. They may have even attended church and even been pastors. Then Jesus will tell them that He never knew them. Therefore, the doctrinal statement of the Wisconsin Synod of the E.V. Lutheran Church is in error. Once a person is genuinely saved, the person is always saved.
Once again the doctrinal statement of the Wisconsin Synod of the E.V. Lutheran Church contradicts itself for we read this in paragraph #5 of the section “IV. Justification by grace through faith.”
5. We believe that already before the world was created, God chose those individuals whom he would in time convert through the gospel of Christ and preserve in faith to eternal life (Ephesians 1:4-6; Romans 8:29-30). This election to faith and salvation in no way was caused by anything in people but shows how completely salvation is by grace alone (Romans 11:5,6).4
Notice that it states believers will “preserve in faith to eternal life.” Thus it is contradictory to their earlier claim that “it is possible for believers to fall.” Scripture teaches that once saved, a believer is always saved. That is, a true believer cannot fall from the faith.
Forgiveness of Sins in the Lord’s Supper
The third doctrinal error is the claim that drinking the cup of the Lord’s Supper results in the forgiveness of sins. Here is their teaching.
4. We believe that all who join in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper receive the true body and blood of Christ in, with, and under the bread and wine (1 Corinthians 10:16). This is true because, when the Lord instituted this sacrament, he said, “This is my body. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26,28). We believe that Christ’s words of institution cause the real presence—not any human action. As believers receive his body and blood, they also receive the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28) and the comfort and assurance that they are truly his own. Unbelievers also receive Christ’s body and blood, but to their judgment (1 Corinthians 11:29).5
But the forgiveness for sins is not given during the Lord’s Supper when someone drinks the cup. Such a claim twists the symbolic expression of the text. In Matthew 26:26,28, Jesus tells us that His blood was poured out or shed for the forgiveness of our sins. The passage does not tell us that drinking the cup results in forgiveness. Jesus’ message is that the cup symbolizes His blood that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. His blood is synonymous with His death. This conclusion is supported by WELS because it states, “Unbelievers also receive Christ’s body and blood, but to their judgment.” They made this comment because their statement says drinking some wine or grape juice results in the forgiveness of sins. That creates a problem if the person is an unbeliever. How can an unbeliever be forgiven by simply drinking liquid and not by faith alone in Christ alone? Then an unbeliever could be forgiven just by drinking the cup during the Lord’s Supper while rejecting Christ.
The question they have created is, “Why not?” But a careful examination of Matthew 26:26,28 reveals that there is no exception clause about unbelievers. The reason WELS added the exception clause is that they have falsely interpreted Scripture about the efficacy of the Lord’s Supper. Their doctrinal statement is in error.
It is important to note that 1 Corinthians 11:29 applies only to believers who have confessed their sins. For 1 Corinthians 11:30-32 applies to believers and not to unbelievers. Thus they have misinterpreted Matthew 26:26,28.
In addition, forgiveness of sins is only granted by faith in Christ (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 1:9). Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are saved by faith and not by works, such as taking the Lord’s Supper. The act of drinking the cup is a work. It does not result in salvation nor does it clean up one’s spiritual relationship with the Father. Even if we were to assume the wine mystically became Jesus’ blood, forgiveness is not granted by drinking Jesus’ blood during the Lord’s Supper. Throughout Scripture Jesus’ blood is figuratively used to refer to His death on the cross (Romans 3:25; 5:9; Ephesians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:5).
Finally, if the cup is not efficacious for an unbeliever how can it be efficacious for a believer?
Rejection of Premillennialism
The fourth major doctrinal error that is considered in this article is the WELS rejection of the Scriptures that teach Jesus will reign on the earth for a thousand years.
5. We reject the teaching that Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years in a physical, earthly kingdom. This teaching (millennialism) has no valid Scriptural basis and falsely leads Christians to set their hopes upon an earthly kingdom of Christ (John 18:36). We reject as unscriptural any claim that Christians will be physically removed, or “raptured,” from the earth prior to judgment day. We likewise reject as unscriptural any claim that all the Jews will be converted in the final days.
6. We reject the teaching that Christians should look for one individual to arise in the end times as the great Antichrist. The characteristics of the Antichrist as presented in Scripture have been and are being fulfilled in the institution of the papacy (2 Thessalonians 2:4-10). We reject the opinion that the identification of the papacy with the Antichrist was merely a historical judgment valid only at the time of the Reformation.6
This teaching fails to explain why they reject this doctrinal view. They simply state they reject it. It appears from this doctrinal statement that they hold to the amillennial view of Christ’s return. Unfortunately, amillennialism is the product of a symbolic and non-literal interpretation of Scripture. They have ignored the literal interpretation of Scripture and employ symbolic or allegorical interpretation of Scripture. Then the meaning of Scripture is left to the imagination of the interpreter for he is not bound to literal words.
Consequently, they have ignored the covenant promise made by God to Abraham. God made a unilateral, unconditional, and eternal promise which is called the Abrahamic Covenant. God also made a unilateral, unconditional, and eternal covenant with King David about the Messiah ruling on his throne. Both of these covenants merge with the New Covenant into a literal return of Christ, as the Messiah, who will reign as a king over the nation of Israel (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:18-19; 22:15-18; 2 Samuel 7:14-17; Jeremiah 31:31-34). His kingdom will be worldwide (Ezekiel 36:8-38; Daniel 2:44-45; 7:27). Revelation 20:4-6 states that this kingdom will exist here on earth for 1,000 years. Daniel 2:44-45 reveals that it merges into the eternal state described in Revelation 21-22. The eternal state will be an incredible place.
An overview of the premillennial teachings captures the biblical teaching of Scripture. For more important details, it is important to understand the teachings of Daniel 2, 7, 9, and 11. 2 Thessalonians 2 provides an overview of the antichrist. Lord willing, we trust this has been helpful in understanding the doctrinal errors of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
References:
1. VI. The means of grace. What We Believe WELS. Parg. 3. (wels.net/about-wels/what-we-believe/this-we-believe/means-of-grace/)
2. IV. Justification by grace through faith. What We Believe. WELS. Parg. 9. (wels.net/about-wels/what-we-believe/this-we-believe/justification/)
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid. IV. Justification by grace through faith.
5. VI. The means of grace. What We Believe. WELS. Parg. 4. (wels.net/about-wels/what-we-believe/this-we-believe/means-of-grace/)
6. IX. Jesus’ return and the judgement. WELS. Parg. 5. (wels.net/about-wels/what-we-believe/this-we-believe/jesus-return/)
Suggested Links:
Israel of God — The Church Has Not Replaced IsraelIs water baptism symbolic? — Meaning and Importance
No One Can Snatch Them Out Of My Hand
Can a Christian stray from the faith and still be a Christian?
Do Lutherans have the right to not let me participate in the Lord’s Supper?