OUR FAITH

As Lutherans we believe that God sent His son to “accomplish all things for our salvation,” and we hold fast to the belief that we are saved not by what WE DO, but by what God in Christ has done for us. We believe that God gives us faith through the Gospel (His Word) and the Sacraments (Baptism and Holy Communion) and that true faith brings forth the good deeds and the Christian life God expects of His children. We believe that the Christian life and Christian worship should be a joyful celebration of what God has done for us through Christ, and that He says: “My house shall be filled with music, with song, with praise and prayer, and the burdens of life shall be lifted from all who enter there.”

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is the fourth largest Protestant Church in the United States with a baptized memership of over 5.2 million people. The Lutheran Church is the oldest and by far the largest Protestant Church in the world. The Lutheran Church is a worshiping church, with an old and beautiful liturgy. It holds the Bible as the inspired, revealed Word of God and the only source of authority. It seeks to apply the ancient truths of the Christian faith in the human relationships of the 21st century. As the Body of Christ, the Church serves as His instrument of mercy, peace, love and forgiveness. Membership is open to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

ELCA CONFESSION OF FAITH

WHAT WE BELIEVE IN THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

  • This church confesses the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • This church confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe:

    • Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate, through whom everything was made and through whose life, death, and resurrection God fashions a new creation.

    • The proclamation of God’s message to us as both Law and Gospel is the Word of God, revealing judgment and mercy through word and deed, beginning with the Word in creation, continuing in the history of Israel, and centering in all its fullness in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

    • The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of God. Inspired by God’s Spirit speaking through their authors, they record and announce God’s revelation centering in Jesus Christ. Through them God’s Spirit speaks to us to create and sustain Christian faith and fellowship for service in the world.

  • This church accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life.

  • This church accepts the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as true declarations of the faith of this church.

  • This church accepts the Unaltered Augsburg Confession as a true witness to the Gospel, acknowledging as one with it In faith and doctrine all churches that likewise accept the teachings of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession.

  • This church accepts the other confessional writings in the Book of Concord, namely, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles and the Treatise, the Small Catechism, the Large Catechism, and the Formula of Concord, as further valid interpretations of the faith of the Church.

  • This church confesses the Gospel, recorded in the Holy Scriptures and confessed in the ecumenical creeds and Lutheran confessional writings, as the power of God to create and sustain the Church for God’s mission in the world.