What We Believe
SOLA GRATIA (Grace Alone) God created and loves the people of the world, even though we are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. As a result of His deep love for us, God sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.
SOLA FIDE (Faith Alone) By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.
SOLA SCRIPTURA (Scripture Alone) The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.
We are a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. See Frequently Asked Questions and read more about our beliefs.
LAW AND GOSPEL
The Bible teaches that our sins—anything we think, say, or do against God’s will—separate us from Him. No matter how hard we try, no one is perfect or “good enough” to reach heaven. God’s Law shows our sin and our need for a Savior. God solved this by sending His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. He took our punishment and gives us the free gift of eternal life. We are made clean—not by our actions, but by Jesus’ blood. The Good News is that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
WHO IS GOD? As Lutherans, we believe and teach the divine mystery that God is Three in One, that is – Triune. Three distinct persons: First, the FATHER, creator of all that exists Second, Jesus Christ, the SON, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all humanity and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and the Devil. Lastly, the HOLY SPIRIT, who creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal. Together, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are ONE God.
THE CREEDS A ‘creed’ is a statement of beliefs. The Lutheran Church joins most other Christian churches in confessing the truth of the Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds. Further statements of belief are found in the Book of Concord, which is a collection of writings that are in agreement with the teachings of the Bible.
HOLY BAPTISM is the applying of water (by pouring, sprinkling, immersion, etc.) in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Is not just an application is a connection with the command and the Word of God. Because of this connection, Baptism is a “washing of regeneration” (Titus 3:5), or “being born again” (John 3:3-8). Through Baptism, the Holy Spirit brings forgiveness of sins, faith in Jesus Christ, and eternal salvation (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is not something we do for God; it is something God does for us. We encourage Baptism for infants, all children, and adults.
THE LORD’S SUPPER The Lord’s Supper (or Holy Communion) is the means by which we receive Christ’s Body, given for us, and Christ’s Blood, shed for us, for the forgiveness of our sins through consuming bread and wine. We believe Jesus’ true Body and Blood are really present in, with, and under the bread and wine, just as Jesus said (Matt 26:26-28; Mrk 14:22-24; Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 10:16; 11:23-26). The Lord’s Supper connects us directly to the life-giving Body and Blood of Jesus, and the saving work of Jesus on the cross. Because of the precious and powerful nature of this gift of God, we ask that those who have not received instruction in the Lutheran church to please speak with a pastor before receiving the Lord’s Supper. Click HERE in Preparation for the Lord’s Supper.