What We Believe
We believe that God is gracious, loving, and faithful.
We believe that he chose to reveal himself to us through his Son, Jesus Christ.
We believe that by his glorious death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has freed us from the power of sin and death forever.
We believe that by the power of his Holy Spirit he chooses us as his adopted sons and daughters, calls us into the
church, and leads us in lives of humble repentance.
We believe that we are chosen by God, loved by God, and forgiven by God.
We believe that he chose to reveal himself to us through his Son, Jesus Christ.
We believe that by his glorious death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has freed us from the power of sin and death forever.
We believe that by the power of his Holy Spirit he chooses us as his adopted sons and daughters, calls us into the
church, and leads us in lives of humble repentance.
We believe that we are chosen by God, loved by God, and forgiven by God.
What we believe about God: 1) The only true God
We believe that there is only one true God, Eternal, Omnipotent, Creator and Lord of all things and that in His unity, there exists three distinct persons, of only one substance, eternal and equal in sanctification, in justice, in knowledge, in power and in dignity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:6; Matt 28:19; Luke 3:21-22; I John 5:7)) 2) The Father We believe that God has created us together with all living creatures. God has given us and still preserves our bodies and souls: eyes, ears, and all limbs, and senses; reason and all mental faculties. In addition, God daily and abundantly provides shoes and clothing, food and drink, house and home, spouse and children, and all property – along with all the necessities and nourishment for this body and life. God protects us against all danger and shields and preserves us from all evil. God does all this out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness on our part at all! For all of this we owe it to God to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true. 3) The Lord Jesus Christ We believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father in eternity, and also true human being, born of the virgin Mary, is our Lord. He has redeemed us, lost and condemned persons. He has purchased and freed us from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this in order that we may belong to him, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules in eternity. This is most certainly true. 4) The Holy Spirit We believe that by our own understanding or strength we cannot believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, or come to him. But instead, the Holy Spirit has called us through the gospel, enlightened us with his gifts, made us holy, and kept us in the true faith, just as he calls gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in one common, true faith. Daily in this Christian church, the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins – ours and those of all believers. On the last day the Holy Spirit will raise us and all the dead and will give to us and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true. |
Baptism1) Baptism is not simply plain water. Instead it is water used according to God’s command and connected with God’s Word. Without the Word of God, the water is plain water and not a baptism, but with the Word of God it is a baptism, that is, a grace-filled water of life and a “bath of the new birth in the Holy Spirit.” As St. Paul says in Titus 3:5-8, “God saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.” Baptism signifies that the old person in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned through daily sorrow for sin and repentance, and that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. Baptism brings about forgiveness of sins, redeems us from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe it, as the Word and promise of God declare: “The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16 The Holy Scriptures We believe and accept the entire Bible as the Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit; a revelation from God to man. It is the infallible rule of faith and conduct. (II Tim. 3:15-17; II Peter 1:21) |
Holy Communion1) What is the sacrament of Holy Communion?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in, under, and with the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us Christians to eat and to drink. 2) What is the benefit of such eating and drinking? The words “given for you” and “shed for you … for the forgiveness of sin” show us that forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation are given to us in the sacrament through these words, because where there is forgiveness of sin, there is life and salvation. 3) How can eating and drinking do such a great thing? Eating and drinking do not do it, but rather it is the Word of God which accompanies the eating and drinking which does it. The Word is essential to the sacrament, and whoever believes in the Word receives what the Word declares, namely, “forgiveness of sins.” 4) How can I receive this sacrament in a worthy manner? Fasting and bodily preparation are fine external disciplines, but a person who has faith in these words, “given for you” and “shed for you … for the forgiveness of sin,” is really worthy and well-prepared. However, a person who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, because the words “for you” require truly believing hearts. |