I. The Word of God - We believe that the Bible is the ONLY written Word of God, fully inspired and written without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21
II. The Trinity - We believe that there is one Living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 14: 16-31; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30
III. God the Father – We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true. - 1st Article of the Apostles’ Creed and Explanation, Luther’s Small Catechism
IV. Jesus Christ - We believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
What does this mean? I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true. - 2nd Article of the Apostles’ Creed and Explanation, Luther’s Small Catechism
V. Holy Spirit - We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true. - 3rd Article of the Apostles’ Creed and Explanation, Luther’s Small Catechism
VI. Salvation – Our (Lutheran) churches teach that people cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works. People are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received in to favor and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake. By His death, Christ made satisfaction for our sins. God counts this faith for righteousness in His sight ( Romans 3:21-26; 4:5). - Article IV of the Augsburg Confession from Concordia. The Lutheran Confessions “A Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord”, CPH, St. Louis, MO, 2005
VII. Satan and Hell - We believe that Satan is real and does exist and is the adversary of every believer. We believe that hell is a place of eternal conscious punishment of all unbelievers. Job 1:6-7; Matt. 25:46; Rev. 20:14, 15; I Pet. 5:8
VIII. Church – Our (Lutheran) churches teach that the one holy Church is to remain forever. The church is the congregation of saints (Psalm 149:1) in which the Gospel is purely taught and the Sacraments are correctly administered. - Article VII of the Augsburg Confession from Concordia. The Lutheran Confessions “A Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord”, CPH, St. Louis, MO, 2005
IX. Christian Conduct – Our (Lutheran) churches teach that this faith is bound to bring forth good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). It is necessary to do good works commanded by God (Ephesians 2:10) because of God’s will. We should not rely on those works to merit justification before God. The forgiveness of sins and justification is received through faith. The voice of Christ testifies, “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded say, ‘We are unworthy servants: we have only done what was our duty’” (Luke 17:10). - Article VI of the Augsburg Confession from Concordia. The Lutheran Confessions “A Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord”, CPH, St. Louis, MO, 2005
X. Resurrection - We believe in the resurrection of the saved unto life and the resurrection of the lost unto damnation. John 5:24-29
XI. Spiritual Unity - We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we should live together in peace, and that it is our Christian duty to promote harmony among the members of the Body of Christ. Ps. 133:1; Phil 2:1-5; Eph. 4:3.
Upon your request, you may receive from the church office, free of charge, a copy of Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation, which explains the doctrine of the Lutheran Church in greater detail. Pastor Mumme is always available to discuss with you any questions you have about our doctrine.
