Our beliefs...
Being "Lutheran" means that we hold to the scriptural position that Dr. Martin Luther did. The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace alone (sola fide), by faith alone (sola fide), and by Scripture alone (sola Scriptura). Only in the Scriptures do we hear that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We feel these teachings are best summarized in the Lutheran Confessions (or here).
We believe... |
Below is an overview of what we believe, teach, and practice. (You may read through a fuller Statement of our Beliefs). Because we can only know about God and his will for us through the Bible, the Bible teaches us who God is and what his will for us is. Therefore, the Bible provides all of our teachings.
We understand a drop-down menu does not answer every question you may have. If you have any specific questions about what we believe and teach, please, feel free to contact our Pastor; he is more than happy to share the Bible's teachings with you and answer any questions you may have. He also offers Bible Information Classes for those interested in learning more about what St. John Lutheran Church believes and teaches. (He will not pressure you into making a commitment, nor does taking the class obligate you into joining our congregation).
We understand a drop-down menu does not answer every question you may have. If you have any specific questions about what we believe and teach, please, feel free to contact our Pastor; he is more than happy to share the Bible's teachings with you and answer any questions you may have. He also offers Bible Information Classes for those interested in learning more about what St. John Lutheran Church believes and teaches. (He will not pressure you into making a commitment, nor does taking the class obligate you into joining our congregation).
about the Bible
The Bible and Lutherans teach that the Bible is the true word of God. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit. This means that God breathed into the writers the exact thoughts and words they were to write. As a result every statement in the Bible is the truth. One part of the Bible explains another part. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. We are to read and study it diligently. It clearly teaches all we need to know in order to obtain our eternal salvation.
- 2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."
- 2 Peter 1:20-21: "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
- John 5:39: "These are the very Scriptures that testify about me [Jesus]..."
- 2 Timothy 1:13: "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus."
- Psalm 119:105, 160: "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path... All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal."
- Proverbs 30:5: “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."
- Psalm 12:6: "And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times."
About God
The Bible teaches that God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He is eternal which means God has been from forever and will exist until forever. In the Bible God describes himself as the Triune God, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and yet one God. He the God of perfect justice and perfect love.
- Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
- Genesis 1:26-27: "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;male and female he created them."
- Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
- Psalm 90:2: "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world,from everlasting to everlasting you are God."
- Matthew 28:19: "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..."
- 1 Peter 1:1-2: "To God’s elect... who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:Grace and peace be yours in abundance."
- 2 Corinthians 13:14: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
About Jesus Christ
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead on the third day. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again at the end of time as judge and to take his people with him to heaven.
- Matthew 1:22-23: "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel."
- Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
- John 1:1-5: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
- Hebrews 4:14-15: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..."
- Romans 1:3-4: "...regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David,and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."
- Acts 1:9-11: "After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
- Titus 2:13: "...while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,"
About the Holy Spirit
The Bible teaches the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Triune God. He calls us to faith and strengthens us in that faith through the Gospel. He accomplishes this through the “means of grace." (A "means" is a tool. The Holy Spirit uses the Gospel in Word and Sacraments to pour God's love into our hearts).
- 2 Corinthians 13:14: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
- 1 Corinthians 12:3: "Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."
- 1 Corinthians 2:14: "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit."
- Ephesians 1:13: "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit..."
- 2 Corinthians 3:17: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
- John 14:16,17: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."
- Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
- 1 Corinthians 2:12: "What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us."
- Galatians 5:25: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
About Human Beings
The Bible teaches all people are conceived in sin (original sin) and born dead in sin. It means our thoughts, words, and actions are tainted by sin. Apart from Christ, we are dead in sin and condemned to hell. Faith in Jesus' saving work makes believers a new creation.
- Genesis 1:27: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;male and female he created them."
- Psalm 51:5: "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."
- Ephesians 2:1-2: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient."
- Isaiah 53:6: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
- Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."
- Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Isaiah 59:1-2: "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
about the Law
The Bible and Lutherans teach that God wrote his law in people's hearts at creation. The human conscience bears witness to that law. The knowledge of the law was blurred in people's hearts by sin. God repeated his law in the Ten Commandments. God's law demands obedience in our thoughts, speech, and actions. It condemns all who sin. Therefore no one can be saved by keeping the law. God's law serves to show us our sins, to warn us of God's anger against sin, and to guide us in our Christian life.
- Deuteronomy 10:4: "The Lord wrote on these tablets what he had written before, the Ten Commandments he had proclaimed to you on the mountain, out of the fire, on the day of the assembly. And the Lord gave them to me."
- Matthew 5:48: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
- John 1:17: "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
- Romans 7:7: "What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
- Romans 3:22-23: "This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
- Romans 3:20: "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."
- James 2:10:For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
- Psalm 119:9:How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word."
About The Gospel
The Bible and Lutherans teach the gospel. The message of the gospel is the good news that a loving God sent Jesus Christ to take away the sins of all people. This gospel freely offers to all sinners the righteousness that is found in Jesus. God offers and gives eternal life and salvation to all those who believe in the gospel promises.
- John 1:17: "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
- Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
- John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
- Colossians 2:13: "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[a] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,"
- Luke 2:10-11: 'But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
- Ezekiel 33:11: "Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’"
About Salvation
The Bible and Lutherans teach that salvation is God’s free gift to us by God’s grace, received by faith. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved for eternity from sin’s penalty.
- Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast."
- John 14:6: "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
- John 1:12: "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—"
- Romans 3:23-24: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
- Titus 3:5: "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit..."
- Galatians 3:26: "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith..."
- Romans 5:1: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..."
About baptism
The Bible and Lutherans teach that baptism is a holy act. It is instituted by God. Using water and God’s Word it offers and gives the forgiveness of sins, spiritual life, and eternal salvation. Jesus commands and places no age-limit on baptism. It means baptism is for all people-- young and old, including children. Infants also are sinful and therefore need the spiritual rebirth brought about through baptism.
- Matthew 28:18-19: "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..."
- Psalm 51:5: "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."
- John 3:5-6: "Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."
- Titus 3:5: "[God] saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit..."
- Mark 10:14: "When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
- Acts 22:16: "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’"
- Acts 2:38-39: "Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
- Mark 16:16: "Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
About Holy communion
The Bible and Lutherans teach that Holy Communion is a holy act instituted by Christ. Together with bread and wine we receive Jesus’ true body and blood. In this special meal Jesus gives the forgiveness of sins, strengthens our faith, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe. Only people who repent of their sins and receive proper instruction in the Christian faith should be admitted to this sacrament.
- Matthew 26:26-28: "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
- 1 Corinthians 10:16-17: "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.
- 1 Corinthians 11:27-28: So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-25: "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"