What We Believe

BibleAssociated with the German reformer, Martin Luther, we believe that we are saved ‘by grace, for Christ’s sake, through faith.’ In other words, we cannot earn God’s forgiveness, favor, or everlasting life. All this and more was won through Christ’s death and resurrection. We also believe that God has revealed eternal truth to us in God’s inspired Word, the Bible, and that it alone is the basis of the Christian faith. Lutheran confessional writings are found in the Book of Concord.

We also believe …

  • that God created the universe and everything in it, and that God created humans for a life of worship and service to God and God’s people. (Isaiah 43:7, Psalm 100)
  • that humanity turned away from God’s will and purposes, and in our rebellious and sinful condition, we stand helpless and hopeless before a merciful and loving God. (Romans 3:12,23)
  • that God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, died for our sins, and that the good news of God’s love in Christ is for ALL people everywhere. (John 3:16, Romans 3:24)
  • that through the Holy Spirit, everyone who accepts in faith what Jesus Christ did through his death and resurrection, and therefore, through baptism into Christ, receives forgiveness from God, and becomes God’s child and a member of his church. (Acts 16:31, Romans 3:22)
  • that God’s grace and forgiveness is given to ALL people, including infants, in the sacrament of baptism. We also believe that in the sacrament of Holy Communion, Christ is present in, with, and under bread and wine, and is a gift of further assurance of forgiveness of sin.
  • that the Word of God and the sacraments of baptism and the Holy Communion are the means through which the Holy Spirit works to give faith and spiritual life to people and to the church.
  • that Christians, though still subject to sin and failure, show our love for God by living a life of unselfish service to other people, while we practice Christ-like forgiveness, kindness, patience, and humility.
  • that Christians are called into the church to praise and worship God, to receive the Spirit’s renewal for their faith, to strengthen their fellow believers, and to carry out God’s mission of taking the good news of God’s saving love to all.
  • that God will raise up all people on the last day, and that every person who believes in Jesus as Savior will be given life in abundance forever and ever.