Our Beliefs And Practices
We are Saint John's Lutheran Church, one of over six thousand churches nationwide that are part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, founded on the teachings of the Holy Bible. With the universal Christian church, we believe, teach and confess the love of the Triune God; The Father, the creator of all that exists. Jesus Christ, His Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all people, and to rise to life again in victory over sin, death, and Satan; and The Holy Spirit, who creates faith and belief through God's Word and Sacraments pouring out His blessings on God's people daily and dwelling in the hearts of believers. The fundamental teachings of our church can be summarized in these three principles; Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone. These principles were established in the reformation of the church in the sixteenth century under the care of men like Dr. Martin Luther.
Grace Alone: This says that God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against him, and do not deserve his divine love. Yet he sent Jesus, his son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.
Faith Alone: This says that by Jesus' suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, He purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this good news and believe it, have the eternal life it gives. God himself creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness of sin through him. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2: 8-9 ESV)
Scripture Alone: This says that the Bible is God's inerrant and infallible word, (without error and perfect), in which God reveals his Law and Gospel of salvation in his Son, Jesus Christ. Scripture is the sole rule and norm for all christian doctrine (teachings). "All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, and for reproof, for correction, and for training in the righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3: 16-17 ESV)
Grace Alone: This says that God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against him, and do not deserve his divine love. Yet he sent Jesus, his son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.
Faith Alone: This says that by Jesus' suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, He purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this good news and believe it, have the eternal life it gives. God himself creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness of sin through him. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2: 8-9 ESV)
Scripture Alone: This says that the Bible is God's inerrant and infallible word, (without error and perfect), in which God reveals his Law and Gospel of salvation in his Son, Jesus Christ. Scripture is the sole rule and norm for all christian doctrine (teachings). "All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, and for reproof, for correction, and for training in the righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3: 16-17 ESV)