Frequently Asked Questions

Confessional Lutheranism is the tradition of churches and congregations that hold unconditionally to the Lutheran Confessions as contained in the Book of Concord (1580) — the three ecumenical creeds, the Augsburg Confession (1530) and its Apology, Luther’s two Catechisms, the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, and the Formula of Concord.

“Confessional” distinguishes congregations that bind their teaching to these documents from those that use the name Lutheran without that doctrinal commitment. At Annunciation, what we teach is determined by Scripture as summarised in the Book of Concord.

No. Annunciation Lutheran Mission and the Lutheran Church in Singapore (LCS) are separate and unaffiliated organisations. Annunciation is a congregation of the Church of the Augustana in Southeast Asia (CASEA).

If you are familiar with an LCS congregation, the worship forms, liturgical practice, and doctrinal emphases at Annunciation will differ. We are happy to explain what we do and why.

The Book of Concord (1580) is the collection of confessional documents that define what Lutheran churches teach. It was published on 25 June 1580, the fiftieth anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, as a settlement of doctrinal controversies within Lutheranism.

Its core documents are the Augsburg Confession (1530) and its Apology, Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms, the Smalcald Articles, and the Formula of Concord (1577). These are authoritative because and insofar as they faithfully summarise what the Bible teaches.

Closed communion means the Lord’s Supper at Annunciation is received only by communicant members of congregations in fellowship with CASEA, or by members of other confessional Lutheran congregations who share our confession of the sacrament.

This is not a judgment about anyone’s faith or standing before God. Every baptised Christian is welcome to attend, to hear the Word, and to receive the benediction. To receive the Supper together is to publicly confess a common understanding of what it is; the discipline preserves the integrity of that confession. It is an act of integrity, not gatekeeping.

We confess what Christ said: This is my body. This is my blood. The bread is the true body of Christ; the wine is his true blood — given and shed for the forgiveness of sins. This is called the Real Presence.

The Supper is not a memorial or a symbolic representation of a past event. It is the reception of the present Christ — delivered now, to you, for the forgiveness of your sins.

We believe what the Scriptures teach: that Baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21), washes away sins (Acts 22:16), and regenerates (Titus 3:5). It is the act through which God delivers forgiveness, new life, and the Holy Spirit to the one being baptised — not a declaration of a prior inner conversion.

This is why Annunciation baptises infants. Infants are sinners in need of grace; Baptism delivers grace. It is the beginning of the Christian life and the foundation on which the whole of it rests.

No. Annunciation is a congregation of CASEA (Church of the Augustana in Southeast Asia). We are not a member of the LCMS, WELS, or ELCA.

Members of confessional Lutheran congregations visiting Singapore are welcome to attend. Please speak with Pastor Jonathan in advance if you intend to receive the Lord’s Supper, as our closed communion practice requires a prior conversation.

Sunday Divine Service — 11:00am. We meet in a private home in Singapore. The address is not listed publicly; contact Pastor Jonathan Teo via Telegram to receive directions.

Yes. Anyone is welcome to attend the Divine Service. You may follow along with the bulletin, participate in the hymns and spoken portions if you are comfortable, and receive the Benediction at the close.

The one restriction is the Lord’s Supper. There is no expectation that you will return, join, or commit to anything by attending. Come as a visitor, as many times as you like.

Membership involves instruction in Lutheran doctrine — catechesis — provided by Pastor Jonathan, typically through conversations or a structured study of Luther’s Small Catechism and the Lutheran Confessions.

At its conclusion, if you are in agreement with the Lutheran confession, you are received into communicant membership and welcomed to the Lord’s Table. There is no timeline pressure.

Jonathan Teo serves as pastor of Annunciation Lutheran Mission. He is the person to contact for any pastoral matter, for questions about the congregation, for catechesis, or to receive the address of the worship location. Contact him via Telegram.