A primary characteristic of being Lutheran is our commitment to teaching the truths of God’s Word as they are summarized and confessed in the Book of Concord. As Lutherans, we believe the Scriptures are the actual Word of God.  We also hold to the opinion that the Lutheran Confessions are the basis, rule, and norm indicating how all doctrine should be judged in conformity with the Word of God. Listed below are ten statements of faith that summarize our beliefs.

1.

The entire Bible, which points to Jesus as the Savior, is the inspired and errorless Word of God. It is God’s message of love and hope for all people.

2.

There is only one true God, who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is the creator of everything that exists.

3.

Adam and Eve, the man and woman God created in the beginning, went against God’s will and brought sin into the world. Since that time, all people have been conceived and born in sin.

4.

Because of sin, people cannot save themselves by their good works or restore themselves to a right relationship with God.

5.

God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. He is both true God and true man. He lived to fulfill God’s law for us, died on the cross to pay the penalty our sins deserved, and rose from the dead so that we might have eternal life. He ascended into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of The Father to intercede for us.

6.

Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, God declares a person just or righteous and forgiven. This happens not because of human effort, but because the justification won by Jesus is applied to the one who believes in Jesus as Savior.

7.

Faith in Jesus is a gift of God, given by the power of the Holy Spirit; therefore, all the glory belongs to God.

8.

The means of grace are the Word, Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion. By these means, the merits of Jesus’ perfect life and atoning death are personally conveyed to all who believe in Jesus as their Savior.

9.

Jesus will come again to take all believers to Himself. On the final day, all the dead will be raised. Those who are still alive will be bodily transformed. After this, the final judgement will take place. Unbelievers will go into eternal damnation, and believers into eternal life.

10.

The true Christian church is made up of believers of all times who believe in the Triune God and in Jesus Christ as their only Savior. As followers of Jesus, believers are called to tell others that the only way of salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, and to show their faith by their deeds of love toward others.