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Faith Lutheran Church is a member of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. But so many people ask, "What does that mean?" As a Christian church we believe in the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe, teach, and confess that Jesus is the Son of God who was sent by the Father into the flesh to carry all of our sins to His cross and there on Calvary to pay the bloodguilt of our sins. His Holy Spirit now calls us to faith and new life in Jesus' name.
God through His inspired, inerrant Word in scripture has promised and assured us that our salvation is by Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone; the three founding principles of the Reformation.
Grace Alone is the biblical teaching that God saves the world only by His grace. Romans 5:6 says, (ESV) "While we were still weak, at just the right time, Christ died for the ungodly." It was only because of the Father's grace and love for His fallen creation that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to reconcile us to Him (John 3:16).
Faith Alone is the biblical teaching that gives sinners like you and me absolute confidence about our salvation. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, suffered and was crucified for our sins. He did it all, and now calls us to believe in His sacrifice. It isn't a work or action on our part that saves us; only faith that His sacrifice paid the full price for us and that His resurrection assures us that we, too, will rise from the dead and live forever with God.
Scripture Alone is the teaching that only the Bible has the authority to tell us about our salvation and new life. We believe that God has inspired the Holy Scriptures to declare His will for our lives (2 Timothy 3:16).The Bible is the sole rule and norm for our church's teachings, and this in contrast to any desires or teachings of men.
Many people know that the Lutheran Church believes that the Book of Concord is the accurate understanding of the teachings of the Bible. This does not mean that we hold the Book of Concord (which includes the three ecumenical Creeds, the Augsburg Confession and its Apology, Martin Luther's Large and Small Catechism, the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, and the Formula of Concord) as equal to the Bible. In these days when there are countless denominations and each one has its unique way of understanding the Bible, the Book of Concord is how Lutherans tell the world what we believe, teach, and confess, as well as instructing our pastors and congregations who we are as Lutherans. For more information about Lutherans click here. |
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