What Lutherans Believe

GOD is Creator

We believe that God created the universe by His powerful Word and sustains it by His mighty power. The height of GOD's creation was man who was created in the image of God to live in harmony with Him forever. (John 1:1-5)

Sin separates mankind from God

We believe our original human parents lost the perfect image of God when they rebelled against Him. As a result, humans by nature are enemies of God and are separated from Him. This separation ultimately leads to death.

Jesus Christ was given as a sacrifice for all

We believe that God out of His pure love set in place a plan to save mankind. That plan came to fulfillment when God sent His one and only Son, born of a human mother, but conceived by God's own Spirit. Jesus is the perfectly obedient Son of God who lived a perfect life in our place, suffered the punishment we deserved for our rebellion, and suffered Hell in our place on the cross. God raised Jesus from the grave to show that His sacrifice of love paid the price for all mankind's sin and rebellion.

Forgiveness is received through faith

We believe that people receive the benefits of Christ's life and sacrifice by faith in Him. That faith is created by the Holy Spirit in our hearts as we hear the message of Jesus (The Gospel). We also believe that the Holy Spirit works through the promises of Baptism to create faith in the hearts of His children. (John 6:44, 1 Cor. 12:3)

The Bible is the inspired Word of God

We believe the Bible is the source of knowledge about God and His forgiveness. The Bible was written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is true and without error. (2 Timothy 3:16) 

Baptism and Holy Communion

We believe that God has given two special gifts which bring God's Word and promises to us using familiar visible elements. These gifts (reffered to as Sacraments - that is sacred acts)are Holy Baptism (Matthew 28:18-19) and the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-29, John 6:54-56). In Baptism, the Heavenly Father adopts us into His family of All Believers.  This gift is avaiable to all people regardless of age. In the Lord's Supper, our Lord Jesus Christ nourishes us with His body and blood which the word of God tells us is truly present in and with the bread and wine and truly grants the forgiveness of our sins (though how it is present is a mystery).

The fellowship of all believers

We believe that the church is the fellowship of all those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. The purpose of the church is two-fold: to nurture faith in believers and to share the message of Jesus Christ and His love with non-believers so they too can become followers of Him.

Concerning Heaven

We believe that the fellowship which God establishes with His children on earth will continue after this life and believers will live in joy with Him in heaven for all eternity. 

The Book of Concord contains  The Lutheran Confessions.  These Confessions express what we Believe, Teach, and Confess.