Founded on its understanding of the Bible, the Lutheran Church believes, teaches and practices that:
GOD is one God in three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier (Genesis 1:26, John 1:1).
The Bible is the inerrant Word of God and is the source of absolute truth (2 Timothy 3:16).
Human beings were Created by God in holiness but sinned (rebelled) and we are incapable, by our own powers, of coming back to God. As a loving Father, God refused to abandon us to the consequences of our sins and sent His Son to be our Savior (John 3:16).
As God the Son, our Savior Jesus, died and rose from the grave to save the world from sin (1 Corinthians 15:19-22).
A person is Justified (saved), not through merit, but only by God's grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Baptism, a sacrament, establishes new life in a person and restores our relationship with God (1 Peter 3:21).
The Lord's Supper, also a sacrament, is the true Body and Blood of Christ born by bread and wine given to us for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-29, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25).
We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday at First Lutheran Church because the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is where Jesus comes to you with His body and blood in, with, and under simple bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.
Jesus said, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). St. Paul added, “He has now reconciled (you) in His body of flesh by His death in order to present you as holy and blameless and above reproach before Him” (Colossians 1:22).The Lord’s Supper is a meal for sinners who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, repent of their sins and want to turn away from them, and believe that Jesus Christ is truly present with His body and blood, as He promised He would be.
The Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed are statements of belief, not additions to the Bible. They summarize the Bible's teaching on the nature and work of the Triune (Three-in-One) God.
Repenting means sincerely regretting one's sins and asking for Christ's forgiveness and guidance (2 Corinthians 7:10).
God’s LAW is intended to show us our sin and our need for a Savior (Romans 3:23). The GOSPEL offers God’s grace to everyone through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, and will save those who believe in its promise (Romans 1:16 & 3:24).
Sanctification (holiness in life) follows conversion, but total holiness is possible only after entering eternal life. (1 Corinthians 6:11, Hebrews 10:10).