Statements of Belief
About the Bible
Everything Lutherans believe comes from the Bible, God’s message of love and hope for everyone. The Bible is the written word of God, handed down to us in order to point us to the truth that we are saved from our sin and eternal death by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is in the Bible that we learn everything we need to know about God’s love and gifts to us.
About God
There is only one true God – the Triune God – who exists in three separate but equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God the Father is our maker and the creator of all things. By the Father’s word, all things were made, and we are his most beloved creation; we are closest to his heart. The Son is Jesus Christ, who came to earth as the perfect “go-between” between God and humanity. He has redeemed us and is the voice to the Father on our behalf. The Holy Spirit calls us to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, keeps us in the one true faith, and equips us for living out our faith. He is the whisper in our heart’s ear.
About Jesus
We believe Jesus is God’s own Son, sent by God to become human. As the Son of God, Jesus is divine, but he was also a human being who lived among us on earth, over 2,000 years ago. Followers of Jesus are part of God’s people, whose heritage includes the Jewish people and the Christian Church throughout the world today.
About “being saved “
There is absolutely nothing we can do to “be saved” — Jesus Christ has already done everything necessary. In his death and resurrection, everyone who believes in Jesus as Savior has been brought back into a right relationship with God and everyone who believes is “justified,” or declared innocent by God.
About faith
It is through faith in Jesus Christ that we receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life — by believing that he has freed us from the guilt, punishment and the power of sin. Faith is a gift worked in us by the power of the Holy Spirit; it doesn't come to us through anything we are capable of, but through what God does for us. We simply receive what is already being offered out of God’s great love.
About Grace
Lutherans often refer to grace. The word itself might remind you of the grace period you are given when paying bills — when your debt can be paid without further penalty. God’s grace is even more wonderful; that’s why it’s called “amazing grace.” While we deserved to pay the penalty for our sins, God had a different plan. Christ paid the debt and we receive forgiveness and eternal life from him that is offered out of unconditional love. That’s why it’s called grace because it is truly undeserved.
God delivers grace to those who believe, assuring us that the sins we commit are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. Through God’s Word, holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) — the “means of grace” — God makes himself known to us in a very personal way: God’s word reveals his faithfulness and love; Baptism is our rebirth and renewal in Jesus; the Lord’s Supper is our closest communion with Christ as we receive his body and blood.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Everything Lutherans believe comes from the Bible, God’s message of love and hope for everyone. The Bible is the written word of God, handed down to us in order to point us to the truth that we are saved from our sin and eternal death by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is in the Bible that we learn everything we need to know about God’s love and gifts to us.
About God
There is only one true God – the Triune God – who exists in three separate but equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God the Father is our maker and the creator of all things. By the Father’s word, all things were made, and we are his most beloved creation; we are closest to his heart. The Son is Jesus Christ, who came to earth as the perfect “go-between” between God and humanity. He has redeemed us and is the voice to the Father on our behalf. The Holy Spirit calls us to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, keeps us in the one true faith, and equips us for living out our faith. He is the whisper in our heart’s ear.
About Jesus
We believe Jesus is God’s own Son, sent by God to become human. As the Son of God, Jesus is divine, but he was also a human being who lived among us on earth, over 2,000 years ago. Followers of Jesus are part of God’s people, whose heritage includes the Jewish people and the Christian Church throughout the world today.
About “being saved “
There is absolutely nothing we can do to “be saved” — Jesus Christ has already done everything necessary. In his death and resurrection, everyone who believes in Jesus as Savior has been brought back into a right relationship with God and everyone who believes is “justified,” or declared innocent by God.
About faith
It is through faith in Jesus Christ that we receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life — by believing that he has freed us from the guilt, punishment and the power of sin. Faith is a gift worked in us by the power of the Holy Spirit; it doesn't come to us through anything we are capable of, but through what God does for us. We simply receive what is already being offered out of God’s great love.
About Grace
Lutherans often refer to grace. The word itself might remind you of the grace period you are given when paying bills — when your debt can be paid without further penalty. God’s grace is even more wonderful; that’s why it’s called “amazing grace.” While we deserved to pay the penalty for our sins, God had a different plan. Christ paid the debt and we receive forgiveness and eternal life from him that is offered out of unconditional love. That’s why it’s called grace because it is truly undeserved.
God delivers grace to those who believe, assuring us that the sins we commit are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. Through God’s Word, holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) — the “means of grace” — God makes himself known to us in a very personal way: God’s word reveals his faithfulness and love; Baptism is our rebirth and renewal in Jesus; the Lord’s Supper is our closest communion with Christ as we receive his body and blood.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
