Lutherans
Center Their Faith in Jesus Christ.
Lutherans build
their lives on Jesus Christ. We believe he is the only, perfect man, and the
eternal Son of God. We believe that Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience
to God's Law, and died for us and every person in the world. Lutherans
believe that Jesus rose from the dead and lives for us--and for all people
who believe in Him as their Savior. We believe that only Jesus can bring us
close to God, and so, believe our lives--for now and for eternity--depend on
Jesus.
Lutherans
live with a sure hope of eternal life because of Jesus Christ. We know we are
not perfect, that we stumble and fall in our daily walk with God. But we also
know that forgiveness has been won for us; paid for by Jesus Christ. We are
secure in knowing that when we repent and seek forgiveness, God will forgive
us because of Jesus. For this reason we want to live for him, and tell others
about our glorious hope!
Lutherans
Are Christians
Lutherans
hold beliefs shared by many Christians:
- God
is three Persons in one: the Father, who created and sustains the world;
the Son, who lived as a man, died, and rose from the dead; and the Holy
Spirit who works God's will in the world.
- The
Bible is God's infallible Word, communicated through human writers who
were directed by the Holy Spirit.
- Sin
is rebellion against God in thought, word and deed. Every person is
guilty of sin against God. Sin also is the cause of the bad things
people do to each other.
- Everyone
will have an existence after death--either in heaven or hell--forever.
- God
has a plan to bring this world's history to an end, when He will judge
everyone--both the living and the resurrected dead.
Lutherans
proudly display the sign of the cross, a symbol used by all Christians. The
cross symbolizes both the terrible death that Jesus suffered as punishment
for our sins, and the love of God in offering this sacrifice for us.
How
Lutherans Got Started
Lutherans
take their name from Martin Luther. He was a German priest who sought to
reform the Roman Catholic Church in the early 1500's by returning it to its Biblical
foundation. Luther's writing, debating, preaching and teaching sparked the
Protestant Reformation. Through his study of the Bible, Luther helped the
Christian Church rediscover the truth that God is loving and that He offers
forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift because of Jesus Christ.
Luther
taught that people--no matter how hard they try--cannot earn God's
forgiveness or a place in heaven. It is a gift from God that people receive
through faith in Jesus Christ.
Lutherans
Trust the Christ of the Bible
Lutherans
often refer to three "solas" (Latin for "alone") as a summary
of the faith that gives us hope:
- Grace
alone--God loved the world, though we do not deserve His love. He sent
His Son to love the unlovely and save the ungodly.
- Faith
alone--Jesus has provided for our forgiveness and life; those who hear this
promise and believe it, have what it offers. People don't
"get" faith; God gives it as He calls us by the Gospel
promises.
- Scripture
alone--The Bible is the only source that shows God's will and the only
standard and source for all faith and life.
Lutherans
talk about Law and Gospel. The Bible gives the Law, showing God's expectation
of people and the terrible consequences for not following His commands. But
the Bible also reveals the Gospel--the "good news" of God's love
and forgiveness.
Lutherans
Have Distinctive Beliefs Based on Scripture
- We
view Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the spoken or written Gospel as the
means by which God gives people His grace; calling them to faith and
making them His holy people.
- Local
churches, or congregations, are the central community for faith and
practice. Congregations trust God to use them in His calling of a
trained man to be their "pastor" (shepherd).
- Christian
education is important. Lutherans provide Sunday schools, Bible classes,
home-study groups, preschools, elementary and high schools, and
colleges.
- We
share our faith with individuals. Collectively, we sponsor mission
programs worldwide.
- We
care about people in need--providing hospitals, help for children and
families, and worldwide relief for the hungry, homeless and helpless.
- Our
worship style, which includes a lot of music and singing, is often
"liturgical," following the worship forms handed down from the
early Christian church.
Please
join us for worship and Bible study. The following Bible readings will tell
you more about the "Good News":
- John
3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life."
- Ephesians
2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and
this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no
one can boast."
- Acts
2:38-42 "Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of
you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And
you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise if for you and
your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God
will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded
with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand
were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and
to prayer."
- Romans
3:22-24 "This righteousness form God comes through faith in Jesus
Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his
grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
- Acts
4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."