What We Believe
We believe that we are a part of the "body of Christ", a part of a community of faith that began with the gift of the Holy Spirit - God's presence with His people. We are a fellowship of those who have been restored to God by Christ. We believe we are called into a community with other believers.
- We believe we are saved by the grace of God alone -- not by anything we do.
- We believe our salvation is through faith alone -- we only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who died to redeem us.
- We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God -- the only norm of doctrine and life -- the only true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged.
The Bible is the primary and authoritative witness to the church's faith. It bears remarkable testimony to the mighty acts of God in the lives of people and nations. In the Old Testament is found the vivid account of God's covenant relationship to Israel. In the New Testament is found the story of God's new covenant with all of creation in Jesus. It's two parts support each other in teaching that God is Love through the creation of the universe, His saving grace by the redemption of sins through his son, Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, our ever-present guide through faith.
When God created all things, he gave human beings a unique position in the order if creation. As males and females created in God's image, we are given the capicity and freedom to know and respond to our creator. Freedom implies that we can choose to respond to God either positively or negatively.
Lutherans believe that all people live in a condition which is the result of misused freedom. "Sin" is not so much a description of an individuasl acts of wrongdoing, but rather a fractured relationship between the people of creation and God. That fractured relationship is healed through the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Our failure to live up the expectations God has for us reveals our continuing need for God's mercy and forgiveness.
The church is essential to Christian life and growth. Its members are all sinners in need of God's grace. It has no claim to human perfection. The church exists solely for the hearing and doing of God's Word.