What We Believe

The Bible

We believe the Holy Bible, consisting of sixty-six books, was written by human authors who were inspired by God and is complete, without error, and the final authority. The Bible is God’s full revelation and is for all people, in every time and place; it reveals God’s will for our lives and His plan of salvation. In Scripture, God speaks both Law and Gospel. The Law shows us our sin and our need for a Savior. The Gospel proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is that Savior.

(2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 119:105; Romans 3:20; John 20:31; Galatians 1:8)

 

God (The Holy Trinity)

We believe in one true God, who eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He created the universe out of nothing and continues to preserve and care for it. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, completely just, and perfectly loving among many other attributes.

(Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:3; Psalm 145:3)

People

We believe that God created people in His image to be his representatives, giving all human life dignity and value. However, since Adam and Eve’s disobedience, all people are also born sinful and continue to sin daily in thought, word, and deed. This makes us spiritually dead, separate from God, and condemned to hell. Because of our condition, we are constantly in need of Jesus and his forgiveness.

(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:4–5; Romans 3:10–12; Ephesians 2:1; John 3:18; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Psalm 51:5; Romans 7:21–25; 1 John 1:8)

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, suffered and died on the cross for the sins of the world, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will return again in glory.

Trusting in Jesus Christ and what He has done is the only way to be saved.
(John 1:1, 14; Matthew 1:18–23; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 4:12; John 14:6)

Salvation

We believe that we are not saved by our works, decisions, or efforts, but only through faith in Jesus Christ, which is also a gift from God.

(Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:24; Titus 3:5; Philippians 1:29)

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit works in hearts and creates and strengthens faith. The Holy Spirit also sanctifies believers by leading us to repent daily and to grow in faith and love.

(John 3:5–8; 1 Corinthians 12:3; John 16:13; Galatians 5:22–23)

Baptism

We believe that Baptism is a gift of God, instituted by Christ, and meant for all believers, including infants. Through Baptism, God gives forgiveness of sins, new life, and salvation among other gifts.

(Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38–39; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21)

The Lord’s Supper

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a gift of God, instituted by Christ. In it, Jesus gives us His true Body and Blood, under the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of sins among other gifts.

(Matthew 26:26–28; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26)

The Church

We believe that the Church is made up of all who believe in Jesus Christ. God gathers His people around His Word and Sacraments to forgive sins, strengthen faith, and send believers into the world to love and serve their neighbors.

(Matthew 18:20; Ephesians 2:19–22; 1 Corinthians 12:27)

Christian Living

We believe that Christians, empowered by the Holy Spirit, should live out their faith in love of God and their neighbors by praying, worshipping, reading the Scriptures, doing good works, and repenting daily among other things. These works do not earn salvation; rather, they are the result of faith.

(Luke 9:23; Romans 6:11–14; Ephesians 2:10; 1 John 1:7–9)

The End Times (Last Things)

We believe that Jesus Christ will return at an unknown time to judge the living and the dead. All believers will be raised bodily to eternal life in the New Creation, where they will live forever with God. Those who reject Christ will experience eternal separation from God in hell.

(John 5:28–29; 1 Corinthians 15:42–49; Revelation 21:1–4; Matthew 25:46)

If you have a specific question about our beliefs, please either contact our pastor, consult the LCMS website, or examine The Book of Concord, which is the summary of the Lutheran faith as derived from the Scriptures.