What We Believe - A Statement of Faith

The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God. It is God’s message to all people and points to Jesus as the Savior. It is important that we do not add to it or take away from what the Bible teaches. See 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, John 20:31 and Revelation 22:18-19. We further accept all that the Bible teaches to be true whether it is popular in our culture or not. We maintain sound Biblical teaching. See Timothy 4:2-3, Titus 1:9, and Galatians 1:8.

There is only one true God. He has revealed Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – three distinct persons but one Divine being. See 1 Corinthians 8:4 and Matthew 28:19.

God is the creator and sustainer of everything that exists. In the beginning God created all that exists in six 24-hour periods of time. Everything has been made by God and He continues to sustain life. See Genesis 1 & 2, Hebrews 3:4, Psalm 145:15-16, and Matthew 5:44-45.

We have a responsibility to care for creation and protection of life. See Genesis 2:15 and Proverbs 31:8-9.

When God first created everything, it was perfect. People were originally created by God pure and holy. They lived according to God’s will, doing what was pleasing to Him. See Genesis 1:31.

Adam and Eve, the first two people God created in the beginning, went against God’s will, they ate of the forbidden fruit, and brought sin into the world. Since that time, all people have been conceived and born into a sinful state of existence. Sin is every thought, desire, word, and deed, which is contrary to God’s law. See Genesis 3, Psalm 51:5, and Romans 5:12-19.

People cannot save themselves by their good works or restore themselves to a right relationship with God. See Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:28, and Galatians 2:16.

God sent His Son Jesus into the world. Jesus is both true God and true man. As true man He took our place under the law of God and suffered and died in our place. As true God His perfect life, suffering, death, and resurrection from the dead have accomplished salvation for us. See Hebrews 2:14, Psalm 49:7, John 3:16, John 19-21, and Philippians 2:5-11.

There is only one way to heaven and that is by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ. See John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. If you have faith in Jesus you will be in heaven. If you reject Jesus you will spend eternity in hell. See John 3:36

Even our faith in Jesus is a gift from God given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit. God deserves to receive all glory and credit for our salvation. See 1 Corinthians 12:3

God the Holy Spirit works in our lives through various means: The Word of God, The Sacrament of Holy Baptism (for both infants and adults), and The Sacrament of Holy Communion. Through these means of grace, God gives to us the blessings which Jesus earned for us by His life, death, and resurrection. See John 20:31, Romans 10:17, Acts 2:38-39, 1 Peter 3:21, and Matthew 26:26-29.

Jesus will come again to take all believers to Himself in heaven. On that final day, all the dead will be physically raised. Those who are still alive will meet the Lord in the air. After this, the final judgment will take place. Unbelievers will go to eternal suffering in hell, and believers will go to eternal glory in heaven. See Daniel 12:1-2, Acts 24:15, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and Hebrews 9:27-28.

It is important that we regularly worship together in order to hear God’s Word, receive His sacraments, praise God, and encourage one another. See Exodus 20:8 Psalm 95:6, Hebrews 10:25, and 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

We are further invited by God to speak with Him in prayer. See Psalm 50:15, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, and Thessalonians 5:11.

God has created us male and female. He brought Adam and Eve together in marriage and blessed them. God's plan for marriage consists of one male and one female for a life long union. Anything other than that in regard to marriage and sexuality is outside of God's design. See Genesis 1 & 2, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and 18-20, and Hebrews 13:4.

As Christians we are to daily repent of our sin and strive to live God pleasing lives. Since on this side of heaven we are both saints and sinners at the same time this is a daily battle we face. See Matthew 4:17, Luke 3:8-14, Romans 6:1-14, Romans 7:18-25, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22 – 5:8.

We are saved to serve. Christians are called to love all people by telling them that the only way to heaven is by faith in Jesus. We are also called to live our faith by other deeds of love. See Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Matthew 22:36-40, and Galatians 5:13 & 22-26.

We further hold that Luther's Small Catechism and the Book of Concord are accurate descriptions of the Bible's teaching. These writings of men are not inspired Scripture but are accepted because they agree with the Bible's teachings. We also acknowledge our agreement with the teachings and practices of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS).