Denomination Differences

Anglican vs. Lutheran Beliefs

AnglicanLutheran
a.k.a.Episcopal
Number of Members80,000,000[1]77,000,000[2]
How does one get saved?Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection to save you, be baptized, and participate in the Eucharist.Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and be baptized.
Who gets saved?Anyone who chooses by his own free will to believe and accept God's gift of grace will be saved.Those who God chooses to call will be saved and no one else.
Can one lose his salvation?Yes, a Christian can lose his salvation by apostasy.Yes, a Christian can lose his salvation by apostasy.
Who gets baptized and why?The unsaved, typically as infants, get baptized as the first sacrament of Christian initiation, cleansing them of all sins.The unsaved, typically as infants, get baptized as the first sacrament of Christian initiation, cleansing them of all sins.
How should baptism be done?Baptism should be by pouring water on the head.Baptism should be by pouring water on the head.
When does one receive the Holy Spirit?The Holy Spirit is received at baptism.The Holy Spirit is received at the moment of salvation.
What is the trinity?The Trinity is God existing as one god in three equal, eternal, cosubstantial persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.The Trinity is God existing as one god in three equal, eternal, cosubstantial persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.
What is the human nature?Total depravity: Human nature is corrupt, naturally inclined to evil, and incapable of choosing God on his own.Bondage of the will: Human nature is corrupt, naturally inclined to evil, and incapable of choosing God on his own.
Are we guilty of Adam's original sin?No, we are not guilty of Adam's sin, but we did inherit the consequences and a corrupt human nature from him, causing us all to sin.Federalism: Yes, Adam represented all of the human race, and all are guilty of his sin.
Are Christians required to keep the Old Testament ceremonial laws?No, the ceremonial laws of Judaism were fulfilled and done away with by Jesus.No, the ceremonial laws of Judaism were fulfilled and done away with by Jesus.
Can Christians become sinless in this earthly life?No, although Christians can and should sin less, they can never become sinless in this life.No, although Christians can and should sin less, they can never become sinless in this life.
Do the elements of communion become the body and blood of Christ?Consubstantiation: No, the elements do not become the body and blood of Christ, but Christ's body and blood are present alongside them.Sacramental union: No, the elements do not become the body and blood of Christ, but Christ's body and blood are non-physically joined to the elements.
Can one be baptized of behalf of someone who has died?No, the dead cannot be baptized.No, the dead cannot be baptized.
What happens if a saved person dies without being perfect?There is no purgatory, but Christians may need to be purified after death in some way.[3][4]Once Christians leave their sinful bodies, nothing else is needed to receive glorified, sinless bodies.[5][6][7]
Did Mary ever sin?No established doctrineMost believe that, yes, Mary sinned like all other humans except Jesus.
What spiritual gifts are available today?Most believe cessationism: Spiritual gifts used for serving are available today, while gifts used as signs have ceased.[8]
What is the gift of tongues?The gift of tongues is the ability to speak foreign human languages without knowing how.[9][10]
What are the requirements for clergy?Priests must be unmarried men over 25 ordained by bishops.Varies widely
How many church ordinances/​sacraments are there?The church has two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.[11]The church has two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.
To whom do Christians need to confess their sins?General sinfulness should be confessed to a priest. This is usually done as a group during a service.[12]General sinfulness should be confessed to a priest. This is usually done as a group during a service.
How should a church be structured?Episcopal: Churches should be governed by the bishop in that diocese, who in turn is governed by a primate of an autonomous province. The Archbishop of Canterbury is first among equals and is appointed by the King of England.Varies widely
What day of the week should Christians worship?Christians worship on Sunday.Christians worship on Sunday.
How does God's revelation come to us today?Prima scriptura: There are many sources of God's revelation, although none can contradict the Bible.Sola scriptura: The Bible is the only infallible source of God's revelation, sufficient for all faith and practice.
How was the Bible written?Varies widely[13][14]
How many books are in the Bible?There are 66 canonical books of the Bible: 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books, but the Apocrypha is regularly used for examples of life and instruction of manners.There are 66 canonical books of the Bible: 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books.
Is the Bible inerrant?No, the Bible is not inerrant in any respect.[15]Varies widely[16][17]
Who can speak with God's authority today?The church as a whole speaks with God's authority at ecumenical councils.[18]
What is marriage?Varies widelyVaries widely[19][20][21]
Is sex permissible outside marriage?Varies widelyNo, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.[22][23]
When is divorce permissible?Most believe divorce is only permissible for adultery.[24]Divorce is permissible for adultery or desertion.[25][26]
May a Christian remarry while his former spouse is still alive?Yes, a Christian may freely remarry after divorce.[27][28][29]The innocent party to the adultery may remarry.
When does a fetus become human?Humanity begins at conception.[30]Most have no established doctrine. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod believes life begins at conception.[31][32]
Is contraception permissible?Yes, contraceptives are permissible.[33][34]Yes, contraceptives are permissible.[22][35]
Should women cover their heads?No, head coverings are no longer required due to cultural changes.No, head coverings are no longer required due to cultural changes.[36][37][38]
Should Christians drink alcohol?Yes, drinking alcohol is fine as long as one does not get drunk.[39]Yes, drinking alcohol is fine as long as one does not get drunk.
Should Christians fight in wars?Most believe that yes, Christians should fight in just wars.[40][41][42]Yes, Christians should fight in just wars.[43][44]
Whom does the Holy Spirit come from?Varies widely[45][46]The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.[47][48]
Do icons glorify God?Yes, icons can be an aid to worship, but they are not used in liturgy.[49][50]
Where does a Christian's soul go after death?No established doctrine[4]Christians immediately go to heaven when they die.[5]