Sacraments & Ordinances

The LCMS teaches that there are two sacraments instituted by Christ: Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Eucharist). A sacrament is defined as a sacred act established by God that includes a physical element, a promise of divine grace, and is a means through which God delivers grace to believers. The mode of administration and the participants may vary, but the efficacy comes from God's Word and promise, not from the faith or worthiness of the administrator or recipient.

Baptism, administered with water and the Word of God in the name of the Trinity, effects the forgiveness of sins, delivers the Holy Spirit, and creates rebirth and renewal. Infant baptism is practiced and affirmed; infants can believe and are baptized into faith, which is created and sustained by the Holy Spirit through the sacrament. Baptism is administered by sprinkling or pouring (aspersion or affusion), though immersion is also accepted.

The Lord's Supper celebrates the real, bodily presence of Christ in, with, and under the bread and wine. The LCMS teaches sacramental union (Luther's term) or consubstantiation (the substance of the body and blood of Christ are present together with the substance of bread and wine). This is distinguished from Roman Catholic transubstantiation (the substance changes) and Reformed symbolism (Christ is present only spiritually or by faith). The Lord's Supper is a means of grace and comfort for the baptized faithful; the LCMS practices closed communion (only communicant members of Lutheran congregations in fellowship with the LCMS may commune).