We believe, teach and confess:
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The Bible is the inspired Word of God
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”
(2 Tim. 3:16). We believe the Holy Bible to be the inerrant Word of God which contains the only and all sufficient rule of faith and practice.
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In one God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word (Christ) was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). “God was manifest in the flesh”
(1 Tim. 3:16). “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things” (John 14:26). “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one”
(1 John 5:7).
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The fall of man into sin.
Wherefore,as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12). “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
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On man’s need of regeneration and conversion.
Jesus answered him, “truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom.12:2). ”To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:18). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but fie who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 ESV).
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On the name and shed blood of Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation.
“And without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John 3:16). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). We believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection fully paid the price of our sin debt and purchased our salvation.
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That forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His Name.
“Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them” (John 20:23). “To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins” (Luke 1:77). “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations” (Luke 24:47). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). What a great blessing it is for a burdened sinner to personally hear that their sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name and atoning blood. We utilize the gift of laying on of hands in the personal proclamation of the Gospel of forgiveness of sins, in prayer, and for healing.
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That believers should live a holy and sanctified life.
“Now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light!” (Eph. 5:8). “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Colossians 2:6). “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
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On the second return of Christ. “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:28). “This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). ”For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward
they that are Christ’s at his coming“ (I Corinthians 15:22-23). “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (I Thessalonians 5:2)
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We Believe in the Resurrection of the Body
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his".(Romans 6:5)
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On the final judgment of both the just and unjust.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians. 5:10). “Marvel not at this, For the hour is coming in which that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation"(John 5: 28, 29). Therefore we must watch and be, ready
(I Thessalonians 5:6).
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The Sacrament of Baptism (“sacrament” is from a Latin word meaning sacred). ”The promise is unto us and to our children“ (Acts 2:39). Ephesians 2:3 says that, “We are by nature children of wrath”; therefore, we bring our children to God by ”baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). Thus they become a part of God’s covenant and His visible community of faith wherein we teach them God’s Word. We believe that Baptism is a means of grace, and we also acknowledge the truth of Luther’s statement that “he who lives in repentance walks in his Baptism”. If you have never been baptized and desire to be, please visit with our pastors concerning this.
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The Sacrament of the Altar. The observance of the Lord ’s Supper is a command of the Lord Jesus, "This IS my body, which is for you.“This do in remembrance of me...” (1 Corinthians 11:24). Admittance to the Lord ’s Table is open to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
(John 15:16)
It is accepted that they have “examined themselves” in accordance with the Word of God (I Corinthians 11:28-29). The sacraments are a means of grace, for God uses them to strengthen faith’s confidence in His promises of “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness and remission of sins”. Our practice is to delay Holy Communion to our youth until after they have been confirmed.
We believe that the
Augsburg Confession is a true and faithful exposition of the Holy Scriptures.
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Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into hell; On 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 shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection of the Body; and the Life Everlasting. Amen.
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Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
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