WELS FAQs https://wels.net Christ's Love, Our Calling Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:43:20 -0500 Hello! I'm not sure if this is the best place to ask, but I couldn't find another place. If my family has to leave the US for a year for work reasons, and the European country (British Isles) we go to does not have WELS, ELS, or CELC churches, is there still a chance that there might be a church/gathering we can go to that's in fellowship, or are those the only ones in fellowship? I know we'll be able to watch our home church's livestreaming, but we hoped to still be able to meet with other Christians, especially for Communion. https://wels.net/faq/wels-european-chaplaincy/ https://wels.net/faq/wels-european-chaplaincy/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:00:18 -0600 Do you have any online sources or advice for someone trying to learn more about the WELS Church? I was raised in the ELCA, but did not go to church very often growing up or during college. My boyfriend is WELS, grew up in a very faith based household, and went to a WELS college. Definitely more “religious” than me. I’m working on my own faith and making that a bigger part of my life, but talking about marriage scares me because I feel like we have vast religious differences despite both being Lutheran. I’m a strong-willed, liberal woman and there are some fundamental beliefs that I hold that are inconsistent with certain WELS beliefs. I’m open minded and understand the rationale behind certain WELS beliefs, but I know I will never share certain beliefs. I’m looking for some resources perhaps to help me get a better grasp on how drastic the divide between ELCA and WELS is. Thank you in advance! https://wels.net/faq/understanding-differences-between-wels-and-elca/ https://wels.net/faq/understanding-differences-between-wels-and-elca/ Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:59:47 -0600 What resources does WELS provide or suggest for a parent of a child struggling with homosexual tendencies? https://wels.net/faq/parental-resources-for-homosexuality/ https://wels.net/faq/parental-resources-for-homosexuality/ Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:29:33 -0600 Hello. I just wanted to clarify something that I have been told about the churches in the Wisconsin Synod. I am an Anglican Catholic, which is a continuing church of the Episcopal Church. Do you teach that it is biblical to ask Mary to pray for us? I do not believe that anywhere in the Bible does it say that we should ask Mary, or any other "saint," to intercede for us. I know this is Roman Catholic doctrine, but our church now is leaning towards this as well. I was told that you teach this doctrine. Could you please advise me if you do, and what is your biblical basis for this? And, if you do not, I will advise those who gave this misinformation. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and I will greatly appreciate your clarification. God bless. https://wels.net/faq/praying-to-god-alone/ https://wels.net/faq/praying-to-god-alone/ Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:23:31 -0600 I go to a Reformed Christian college, and it came up in class that the gospels of Matthew and Luke were derived from the gospel of Mark and an unknown source, "Q." What does the WELS teach concerning this theory? https://wels.net/faq/biblical-interpretation-source-theory/ https://wels.net/faq/biblical-interpretation-source-theory/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:47:05 -0500 How do I respond to a family member's gay wedding invite? https://wels.net/faq/gay-wedding-invitation/ https://wels.net/faq/gay-wedding-invitation/ Tue, 14 Jan 2025 19:19:53 -0600 I'm interested to know more about the Pharisees. I understand that they were Bible scholars. How did this group develop (where did they come from) and what happened to them after the resurrection? https://wels.net/faq/the-pharisees/ https://wels.net/faq/the-pharisees/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 17:54:28 -0500 We have a member in our congregation who has abstained from taking alcohol in any form due to health and other issues. It has been my experience with some other WELS congregations that in cases such as this, grape juice has been offered as an acceptable alternative. Is this, in fact, acceptable to the synod and can we follow the same procedure in this case? Thank you in advance for your response. https://wels.net/faq/communion-and-grape-juice/ https://wels.net/faq/communion-and-grape-juice/ Mon, 23 Sep 2024 15:18:22 -0500 I am struggling with the biblical account that the earth was created in six, 24-hour days. There is significant scientific evidence that the earth and the universe are significantly older. Carbon dating is just one example of a scientific method that helps determine the age of historical objects. I understand WELS believes that the bible is 100% the inspired, factual word of God, but isn't a thousand years like a day to the Lord? As an example of evolution that we see, bacteria are constantly mutating based on exposure to anti-biotics. Man bred wolves to become multiple breeds of dogs; is that evolution? I would appreciate your response to these questions. https://wels.net/faq/creation-in-six-days/ https://wels.net/faq/creation-in-six-days/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 20:11:52 -0500 I am wondering how to respond to the Jehovah's Witnesses who come to my door. Lately, they seem to want to bring people to their faith by bringing up the point that they believe that they will inherit a new restored earth with no violence. They stress that they will enjoy the blessings of earth (family, fishing, building, etc.) and that they wouldn't want to spend eternity in heaven (What would you do when you can enjoy the earthly blessings?). They reference Psalm 37:10-11 and how the meek will inherit the earth and enjoy peace on earth. They also cite the Lord's Prayer (Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven) and other passages in Isaiah referring to a new earth. My question is which passages can I refer them to to show that we will not be brought back to earth but will enjoy the blessings of heaven. What passages seem to hit the heart of Jehovah's Witnesses to show that we will not return to a restored earth after it is destroyed. The Jehovah's Witnesses I have talked to seem to be stuck on a few references and examples that they have been taught and refer back to those examples often in their talks with me, Thanks and May God bless our efforts to reach out to the Jehovah's Witnesses with the truths of Scripture. https://wels.net/faq/jehovahs-witnesses-and-heaven/ https://wels.net/faq/jehovahs-witnesses-and-heaven/ Fri, 14 Apr 2023 21:18:40 -0500 Do you think that it may be wise for a Christians to read the Qur'an for educational purposes? Thank you. https://wels.net/faq/wise-for-christians-to-read-the-quran/ https://wels.net/faq/wise-for-christians-to-read-the-quran/ Wed, 05 Apr 2023 16:27:23 -0500 If God wants us to believe in Jesus, why did he not tell us in the Old Testament that Jesus was the Savior? Why did he not give us a name? Everything seems to be coded or of someone's interpretation. I have been told that Jesus is all over the Old Testament. Where? Why did the early Catholic church change and add verses? The Old Testament seems to have truly been preserved by God. Why don't we see this in the New Testament? I want to believe, but why does it seem Jesus is man's invention? https://wels.net/faq/jesus-and-the-old-testament/ https://wels.net/faq/jesus-and-the-old-testament/ Wed, 30 Nov 2022 21:09:23 -0600 I grew up going to a WELS school and church. I have always been told that we are not to join the Freemasons. I have a friend now that has joined. I don't know what to tell him because whatever I say to him he comes back that our church is against everything. Could I get some references and some information on why this is against the church? Thank you. https://wels.net/faq/joining-the-freemasons/ https://wels.net/faq/joining-the-freemasons/ Fri, 26 Aug 2022 19:32:23 -0500 What is the difference between this synod and the Missouri Synod? Any theological variance, or just geographic? I was raised in the Missouri Synod and, due to relocation, am looking for a new church to call home. https://wels.net/faq/differences-between-synods-2/ https://wels.net/faq/differences-between-synods-2/ Tue, 22 Mar 2022 20:00:18 -0500 My question deals with the consumption of alcohol. I believe drinking is ok if done responsibly, but my friend believes any alcohol consumption is a sin. The friend believes that the word "wine" in the Bible has different meanings such as to be happy or joyful. The friend always uses the example that God would never say a little viewing of pornography is fine, just don't overdo it. He takes the case that the over- consumption of alcohol can lead to sinful acts. He also believes that Jesus wouldn't had wine at the Lord's Supper only juice. How do you address this train of thought? https://wels.net/faq/alcohol-consumption/ https://wels.net/faq/alcohol-consumption/ Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:14:08 -0500 I often give in to the sin of watching porn and feel bad and pray to God apologizing and get Communion, then end up falling into temptation again and repeating. I know if you ask for forgiveness but repeat it then it's not being truly repentant. I want to stop and feel super bad if I don't take Communion, but know I will sooner or later fall back into my old ways. What should I do? I don't feel right talking to my pastor about it either. https://wels.net/faq/help-for-pornography/ https://wels.net/faq/help-for-pornography/ Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:13:02 -0500 Hello. My question might be confusing but please bear with me. I have been a believer in Christ for some time now. I’m also a fan and avid watcher of Japanese anime. Yet I struggle with addiction to pornography, including lusting after the girls in anime, or I should say the sexually explicit form of the medium known as hentai. I strive to break free from the addiction and treat the girls in anime with love as I would girls in the real world. Further complicating matters, I suffer from OCD, which is a mental disorder that causes doubt and unwanted thoughts. The OCD has caused me bad ideas that anime girls will be cursed by God due to all of the time I lusted after them. So my question is: would God curse anime girls by changing them in any negative way for me as punishment for my sin? Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this question. https://wels.net/faq/pornography-addiction/ https://wels.net/faq/pornography-addiction/ Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:12:29 -0500 Pastor, I have a question that has made me very confused and unworthy of being loved by God. I have long tried to get rid of the feelings towards the same gender, but they do not go away. I have prayed to God, but the feelings remain. I have not acted on these feelings and will never do so, but they never go away. They are a part of me, but that doesn’t mean I am not a follower of God. What should I do? I feel alone. I’m scared that I am not enough and will be left when he comes. https://wels.net/faq/fighting-temptation/ https://wels.net/faq/fighting-temptation/ Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:11:42 -0500 If I'm reading the Athanasian Creed correctly, it says a belief in the Trinity is necessary for salvation. Could you please elaborate on this a little bit? How could a person be lost if they don't believe in the Trinity, which is a difficult concept for people to comprehend. I believe in the Trinity, but I've always found the Athanasian Creed a bit troubling because I do not fully understand how a belief in the Trinity relates to the Gospel. Maybe it is simply because the Athanasian Creed was written to combat heresies that said Jesus was only a man? https://wels.net/faq/athanasian-creed-and-trinity/ https://wels.net/faq/athanasian-creed-and-trinity/ Fri, 14 May 2021 15:13:56 -0500 Does an adult have to be confirmed before they can be baptized? https://wels.net/faq/adult-confirmation-and-baptism/ https://wels.net/faq/adult-confirmation-and-baptism/ Fri, 14 May 2021 14:44:23 -0500 My granddaughter is 11 years old and is just going to be baptized. How do I explain to her what she all needs to know? She has had no religious teaching. Her parents are separated and so far has had a hard life. The only reason she is getting baptized now is because I said I would like to see her baptized before I pass away. Help. https://wels.net/faq/baptism-for-granddaughter/ https://wels.net/faq/baptism-for-granddaughter/ Fri, 14 May 2021 14:34:54 -0500 I was talking to someone who told me that the Bible says that people can put a curse on me. He also said that in the Bible there is a prayer that will remove a curse. How do I answer that? I have read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation a number of times but never read this about curses. Can you give me some information about curses in the Bible? https://wels.net/faq/cursing-2/ https://wels.net/faq/cursing-2/ Thu, 13 May 2021 15:15:08 -0500 I recently heard of something called the Euthyphro Dilemma in Plato's Dialogue, which paraphrased, asks the question, "Are morally good acts good because God commands them or does God command them because they are good?" The dilemma is designed to somehow separate God and "religion" from morality, and basically suggests that morality is independent of religion. I know this is wrong, as I understand that everything God commands is perfect and holy. I am just wondering what a good counter argument to this dilemma is. https://wels.net/faq/god-and-good/ https://wels.net/faq/god-and-good/ Thu, 13 May 2021 14:38:44 -0500 After Satan's fall from heaven, why did God put Satan on earth in Paradise with Adam and Eve instead of another part of the universe without life? https://wels.net/faq/satan-on-earth/ https://wels.net/faq/satan-on-earth/ Wed, 12 May 2021 15:35:03 -0500 I am curious about the WELS stance on use of the enneagram, which has become popularized in many churches. Thanks. https://wels.net/faq/use-of-enneagram/ https://wels.net/faq/use-of-enneagram/ Wed, 12 May 2021 14:54:29 -0500 This is a comment, don't know where else to put it. Whoever wrote today's Daily Devotion (5/6/21), I want to express my gratitude to that person. It was one of the best I have seen posted! Thank you and may God bless you all richly. Google News has posted several of your articles! Accidentally saw them as I don't go there often. https://wels.net/faq/gratitude-for-devotion/ https://wels.net/faq/gratitude-for-devotion/ Mon, 10 May 2021 14:05:53 -0500 What is our (WELS) official position on Critical Race Theory? https://wels.net/faq/critical-race-theory-2/ https://wels.net/faq/critical-race-theory-2/ Mon, 10 May 2021 14:00:51 -0500 What does the Bible say about necromancy? https://wels.net/faq/necromancy/ https://wels.net/faq/necromancy/ Mon, 10 May 2021 13:52:57 -0500 One of my closest friends told me that Satan can be redeemed and still have some good inside him even though he's pure evil. I had some conflicts because of her explanation and I wanted to be sure: is this true? https://wels.net/faq/satan-and-redemption/ https://wels.net/faq/satan-and-redemption/ Thu, 06 May 2021 14:42:39 -0500 If a Christian is cremated and their ashes are, say, sprinkled all over the place (e.g. little in WI, MI, SD, MN) etc...where will our body come out when we hear Jesus? Should a Christian's ashes not be sprinkled around, but rather kept together in one burial place? https://wels.net/faq/cremation-and-resurrection/ https://wels.net/faq/cremation-and-resurrection/ Thu, 06 May 2021 14:24:27 -0500 What can you tell me about Todd Friel [Wretched Radio], John MacArthur, or Colin A. Miller? I have watch several of their YouTube videos and they seem sound, but I would like a WELS opinion. Thank you. https://wels.net/faq/other-ministries/ https://wels.net/faq/other-ministries/ Tue, 04 May 2021 14:25:12 -0500 Why doesn’t WELS promote The Chosen series on the life and ministry of Jesus? https://wels.net/faq/promoting-a-series/ https://wels.net/faq/promoting-a-series/ Tue, 04 May 2021 13:37:25 -0500 Why did God make the world belong to the devil when He was able to defeat the devil? https://wels.net/faq/satans-power-3/ https://wels.net/faq/satans-power-3/ Fri, 30 Apr 2021 18:56:28 -0500 If I get cremated, will my soul go to heaven and on Judgment Day my ashes be made back into my body even though I have no skeleton? If I choose cremation, is that OK with God? https://wels.net/faq/cremation-and-judgment-day/ https://wels.net/faq/cremation-and-judgment-day/ Thu, 29 Apr 2021 19:09:47 -0500 What does WELS teach about Melchizedek's birth, death and his priesthood? https://wels.net/faq/melchizedek/ https://wels.net/faq/melchizedek/ Thu, 29 Apr 2021 18:45:47 -0500 Does a person have to be baptized to go to heaven? https://wels.net/faq/necessity-of-baptism/ https://wels.net/faq/necessity-of-baptism/ Mon, 26 Apr 2021 19:45:56 -0500 With the gaining popularity of people obtaining concealed carry permits, I would like to ask WELS' stance on potential lethal use of a weapon. My thoughts are that in Exodus 22:1-3 lethal force can be used if yours or your family's lives are in danger, but not if it is clear the threat is non-life-threatening. In either case, it should only be used as a last resort. https://wels.net/faq/defending-self-and-family/ https://wels.net/faq/defending-self-and-family/ Mon, 26 Apr 2021 19:39:35 -0500 Someone told me that in the original Greek, the Bible didn’t say to a man: do not lie with another man but that it says don’t lie with a boy (to prevent abuse). Please help. https://wels.net/faq/translation-help/ https://wels.net/faq/translation-help/ Mon, 26 Apr 2021 19:30:51 -0500 My husband died about 16 months ago at the age of 82. He had a twin sister who only lived two days. She was baptized. When his soul got to heaven, could he meet the soul of his twin sister? Would she still be a baby? At the time of the resurrection, will she be resurrected as a two-day-old baby? In answer to a similar question a number of years ago in a Bible class, the WELS pastor indicated the possibility of a baby who dies being in heaven as a healthy young adult and a person who dies at an advanced age being in heaven as in their prime of life years. Thank you. https://wels.net/faq/the-life-to-come/ https://wels.net/faq/the-life-to-come/ Wed, 21 Apr 2021 19:17:58 -0500 Can a person be saved if they believe Satan is their scapegoat? Seventh Day Adventists teach this. They are careful to say that Satan is in no way a sin-bearer, but their prophet Ellen White wrote about this in The Great Controversy (Chapter 18, The Sanctuary). If a person reads Ellen White and believes Satan bears the final penalty for their sin, are they believing in a false Jesus who didn't complete their atonement? https://wels.net/faq/scapegoat/ https://wels.net/faq/scapegoat/ Mon, 19 Apr 2021 20:06:52 -0500 Are we to literally take the account of Eve eating a piece of fruit as the reason mankind deserves to die and suffer in hell? Thanks. https://wels.net/faq/forbidden-fruit/ https://wels.net/faq/forbidden-fruit/ Mon, 19 Apr 2021 20:05:20 -0500 Can the devil still use somebody who has already proclaimed Christ? https://wels.net/faq/the-devils-abilities/ https://wels.net/faq/the-devils-abilities/ Thu, 15 Apr 2021 14:46:03 -0500 I'm wondering if WELS is fine with having acupuncture done. I understand that hypnosis is not something that a person should do but I'm also wondering about acupuncture. I can't find it in the question section. Thank you. https://wels.net/faq/acupuncture/ https://wels.net/faq/acupuncture/ Mon, 12 Apr 2021 18:06:09 -0500 I have always had this question and have grown up WELS and taught in the educational system. Why did the first man and woman God make sin? https://wels.net/faq/sin-of-adam-and-eve/ https://wels.net/faq/sin-of-adam-and-eve/ Fri, 09 Apr 2021 18:59:51 -0500 I was a WELS Lutheran. (Now, I attend a Missouri Synod church.) One thing that I still feel I need a better understanding, and was part of the reason I felt called to leave the synod, is praying with family. Why does WELS feel it is incorrect for me to say a table prayer or the Lord's prayer with my Christian brothers and sisters? Thanks in advance for helping me understand your perspective. https://wels.net/faq/prayer-fellowship-3/ https://wels.net/faq/prayer-fellowship-3/ Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:50:44 -0500 I’m a little confused as to where Jesus went when he died. In the Apostles' Creed it says he “descended into hell. The third day he rose again....” Where in the Bible do I find that Jesus descended into hell? On the cross Jesus said to the thief that day he would be with him in paradise, which seems like Jesus would be in heaven right away. Thanks so much for helping clear this up for me. https://wels.net/faq/events-of-good-friday-and-easter/ https://wels.net/faq/events-of-good-friday-and-easter/ Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:17:53 -0500 God didn't think too much of man to make him out of a pile of dirt. Eve must not have had much of a brain; she didn't know snakes cannot talk. https://wels.net/faq/adam-and-eve-2/ https://wels.net/faq/adam-and-eve-2/ Wed, 07 Apr 2021 18:19:35 -0500 When a father dies suddenly, leaving behind a wife and three daughters, all with college education and a long history of participation within the church and being confirmed in the church, is it common for the pastor and then the rest of the church to completely abandon them? Is it because as women they don't have any power/vote in the church that they are basically useless? https://wels.net/faq/reaction-to-death/ https://wels.net/faq/reaction-to-death/ Wed, 07 Apr 2021 17:14:15 -0500 What is the WELS position on decision theology? https://wels.net/faq/decision-theology-2/ https://wels.net/faq/decision-theology-2/ Thu, 01 Apr 2021 14:58:58 -0500 How do I explain the dangers of smoking and God’s plan for us to a friend in a godly way? I’m a WELS Lutheran, and have a Christian (Methodist) friend who smokes. After seeing what a relative of mine who smoked went through (gangrene, multiple amputations, necrotizing fasciitis, and eventually death), I’ve tried to explain to her the dangers of smoking. She tried cutting back, and for a while was doing well, but eventually fell back into the habit. A year after my relative passed away, we got talking about the issue once, and by then, I could tell that she couldn’t help but give up on quitting, as she asked me something to the tune of, “If God knows when we’re all going to die, anyway, what’s the point in quitting?” I couldn’t even answer that, as inside, my heart broke for her. I saw someone who would rather just give in and suffer any possible effects, than tough it out. I’ll always be a friend to her, even if she’s a smoker until her dying day, but I’d just hate to see her possibly suffer the same horrible effects that my relative and millions of others have gone through. https://wels.net/faq/smoking/ https://wels.net/faq/smoking/ Thu, 01 Apr 2021 14:48:48 -0500