What We Believe

Lutherans are a part of the true, holy, universal, evangelical church established by Jesus Christ. They follow the Christian faith revealed in the Bible and first summarized in the Apostle's Creed.

Lutherans believe in one God, who has revealed himself to men in three ways. These three ways are known as the three Persons of God, or the Holy Trinity. Lutherans believe in God the Father, who created and sustains everything that exists. They believe in God the Son, who came to earth as Jesus Christ to atone for the sins of mankind. They believe in God the Holy Spirit, God at work in the lives of men.

Lutherans teach that the Holy Bible, including both the Old and New Testaments is the inspired Word of God, containing the record of God’s complete revelation to mankind. They look upon Jesus Christ as the climax of that revelation and as the living Word of God.

Lutherans hold to the three ecumenical (general) creeds accepted throughout the entire Christian Church. These are the Apostles’ Creed (so called because it is based on what the Apostles believed and taught) the Nicene Creed (named for the Council of Nicaea, held in 325, to emphasize the belief in the dual nature of Jesus Christ as both the true God and true man); and the Athanasian Creed (a more detailed statement dating from the 6th Century).

Lutherans believe that God the Father created mankind and all that exists. God gave and still preserves life, which could not continue without his willing it. Man is the highest creature of God. In creating man "in his own image" God gave him freedom to obey or to disobey, to do good or to do evil. Man's sin and tragedy lies in his resultant disobedience to God. But God has never abandoned his creation because of its sinfulness. He has shared man's tragedy by sending his Son to die on the Cross, because he is a God of love.

In Jesus Christ, God revealed himself as a Savior, atoning for man's sin by his own suffering and death. By his resurrection from the dead, Jesus showed his power to conquer sin and death for us. Through faith in him, a new life can begin within us an everlasting life.

This new life in Christ is nourished by God's Word and by the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Through the Word and sacraments, the Holy Spirit stirs people to understand God's will better and to live in obedience to it.

Lutherans believe it is God's will that the universe will be judged and brought to the fulfillment of His divine plan. Those who are and who remain His children through baptismal rebirth will share eternal life with Him.