Beliefs.We believe, teach, and confess... Lutherans are evangelical, catholic and orthodox Christians!
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catholicWe are catholic (meaning "universal") because we teach what the Holy Christian Church, wherever it is found, has always and everywhere believed and taught.
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evangelicalWe are evangelical (meaning "good news") because we believe the good news that the sin of the whole world has been paid for by the God-Man Jesus Christ, so now we live in the perpetual light of our Heavenly Father's love.
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orthodoxWe are orthodox (meaning "right teaching/worship") because we confess with the whole Church in heaven and earth that no one can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ. That is the right teaching and the only true worship of the one true God. (John 4:21-26; John 14:6)
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A Living Faith
The Christian's life is rooted in his confession of faith, flows from the sacraments and liturgy of the Church, and is expressed in the vocations God gives.
Lutherans are confessional Christians because "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
We believe for ourselves, teach to others, and confess to our God with our mouths and our lives the faith handed down to the Saints from the apostles themselves, and expressed in our public confession, known as the Book of Concord. Watch the short video to learn more about the Book of Concord.
Lutherans are confessional Christians because "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
We believe for ourselves, teach to others, and confess to our God with our mouths and our lives the faith handed down to the Saints from the apostles themselves, and expressed in our public confession, known as the Book of Concord. Watch the short video to learn more about the Book of Concord.
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Our worship and faith is sacramental. Scripture teaches that God's salvation of mankind is given through external means or signs by which you can know, apart from anything in yourself and entirely by God's free gift, that you are saved. These signs of salvation are His word of forgiveness (John 20:22-23; Romans 10:13-17), Holy Baptism (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-39; Titus 3:5-8; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27), and the Lord's Supper (Mt 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16).
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Our worship and lives are liturgical (meaning "service"). We call our Sunday service "Divine Service" for God serves us with His gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. We respond to Him in confession, prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. Therefore, our worship revolves around God and not us. It is centred on His Word, His mercy, His grace for sinners. Over the centuries the Church in her wisdom has developed forms, including words and actions, for this Christ-centred worship. This is often called a liturgy or service.
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God works in this world through the vocations (callings) He gives to us. Your callings in your family, your work, your church, your society are callings to "love your neighbour as yourself." They are masks for God as He works in the world through you. You are His hands to work in this world, His mouth to speak in this world, His arms to hug and embrace others, His body to bring His presence to everyone. Through these vocations or crosses He blesses, protects, disciplines, teaches, and uses us. For life under the cross of Christ is not easy, but it is blessed. (Luke 9:23-26; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 1 Peter 3:13-15)
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