The Basics:
As a part of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) we are a diverse people convinced that the Holy Spirit is leading us toward unity as the Body of Christ.
Lutherans believe in the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) that we come to know through God's revelation to us in scripture. We believe that we are the people of God both gathered and sent. When we gather for worship, we connect with believers of every place and time and find strength as a community of faith. When we study God's Word and pray, we are drawn more deeply into our relationship with God. When we are sent out into the world, we live out our Christian faith by serving others and addressing social issues that affect the common good.
What is Christianity?
Put simply, Christianity is one of the world's major monotheistic religions. Christians believe in Jesus Christ as God and savior and we do our best to follow his teachings. We believe that Jesus is God's own Son who becomes human. Jesus spent his adult ministry with his disciples, spreading the message of God's love, grace, and forgiveness. He healed the sick and fed the hungry. He befriended the outcasts of society and was eventually put to death because of his teachings. His sacrifice freed us from our sins. On the third day after his crucifixion, Christ was resurrected, bringing us the promise of everlasting life with God.
As Christians, we believe that Christ lives among us today by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, present when the Good News is preached and the sacraments are administered. Because of Jesus Christ, we believe that Christians are called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live our lives in service to the world. Through acts of love and justice, worship and witness, and we share God’s boundless love with the world.
Salvation:
We believe that salvation is offered to all through the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Christ was crucified as the ultimate sacrifice to wipe away human sin, and through our Baptism we share in the promise of the resurrection. This is the gift of grace offered to us because of the love God has for each and every one of God's children. Our salvation is accomplished through Christ, not through anything we are able to do. Grace alone assures us that we are saved, and through the Holy Spirit, we have faith in a God who loves us and redeems us so that we may live eternally in God's presence.
What do Lutherans believe?
Lutherans are part of a reforming movement within the whole Christian church and accept the teachings of Martin Luther (1483-1546). Luther was a German theologian who realized that there were significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the practices of the Church at the time. Lutherans today still uphold the basics of Luther's teachings:
Grace alone- We are saved by the grace of God alone, not by anything we do.
Faith alone- We are saved by grace through faith. As broken people we cannot even have faith by ourselves. We have faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Word (scripture) alone- The Bible is the source and norm for our faith and life. As divinely inspired (though not inerrant), the Bible is the standard by which teaching and doctrines are to be judged.
Law and Gospel- The Law is that which convicts us. It shows us the things we do wrong and helps us to live better lives. God gives us the law because he wants what's best for us in this world. The Gospel is what sets us free. This is the good news we have in Jesus Christ, the grace we have received as a gift. Our sins are forgiven.
Lutheranism is a faith tradition that is open to all, regardless of background. All are welcome at God's banquet!
