Faith
STATEMENTS OF
WE BELIEVE, TEACH, CONFESS & ACCEPT...
God
There is but one true God. He has made Himself known through the Bible as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Him alone do we worship and pray.
(John 5:37; 5:23; Deuteronomy 6:4)
Sin
All human beings, since the fall of Adam and Eve, are born without proper awe of God or love of Him. Moreover, all are inclined to follow wicked desires.
(Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3)
The Son of God
Jesus revealed Himself as fully God and fully human so that having been born, suffered, crucified, died and buried He would both be the true mediator and sacrifice for all sin.
(Matthew 22:41-45; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 3:18; Galatians 3:13)
Forgiveness of sin
We obtain forgiveness of sin, by God’s grace, for Christ’s sake, through faith. Where there is forgiveness of sin there is salvation and eternal life.
(Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11; Romans 2:23-28; Romans 4:5)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit works through His appointed means of Word and Sacrament to produce faith, when and where it pleases Him, in those who hear the Gospel.
(John 5:52; Romans 10:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; John 17:17; Matthew 28:19-20)
The New Life
Faith in our gracious God who loves us and gave Himself for us will produce good works and yield good fruit. Renewal in this new life and walking by faith is daily and constant, it takes place in our many callings:
(Luke 17:10; Ephesians 2:10; Luke 9:23; 2 Corinthians 4:16)
in congregations where God's grace meets sinners (1 Corinthians 1:2-9; 3:1-4)
in marriage; an institution of God in which one man and one woman are to forsake all others (Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7)
in workplaces where our sinful self also bears the cross and Christ's love for our neighbor rules all (1 Peter 2:11-12; 2:18-25)
in government which God has established to rule both good and evil alike. We preach the Gospel not politics (1 Peter 2:13-17; Romans 13:1-4; Luke 3:14; Matthew 22-21; Acts 5:29)