Being "Lutheran"

 

At Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, we accept and preach the Bible-based teachings inspired by Martin Luther, the reformer of the Christian Church in the 16th century.  The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.

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• Grace alone means that God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.

• Faith alone means that by His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.

• Scripture alone means that the Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian teaching.

 

Also, Saint Paul’s believes the Lutheran Confessions are a correct interpretation and presentation of biblical teaching. Contained in The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, these statements of belief were transcribed and shared broadly by church leaders during the 16th century.  Luther's Small Catechism contains essential summaries of our beliefs, while the Augsburg Confession gives more detail about what Lutherans believe.