What We Believe
Together with the universal Christian Church, we here at Hope Lutheran teach and respond to the love of the Triune God: The Father, creator of all that exists—both seen and unseen; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all humanity and rise to life again in a stunning victory over death and Satan; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments (Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper). The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal -which is to say- one God.
As Lutherans we accept and teach Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. These teachings can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.
Grace alone
God loves the people of the world, even though they-we 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
Jesus suffered and died as the substitute for all people of all time. He purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them-us. Those who hear that Good News-that Good Report and believe it have the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life in the presence of God. God Himself creates the very faith He requires-faith too is a gift from God.
Scripture alone
In the Bible, God speaks to human beings. The Word of God is inerrant and infallible. The Word of God contains two distinct messages: The Law is given so that humans might know that they are in fact sinners. The Law creates repentance-the need to be forgiven. In the Gospel, God relieves the fears of human beings with the announcement that Jesus has come, has suffered and died, has risen from the dead and is coming again for His people on the Last Day, and that He has done all of this to bring us to life everlasting.
Who Is Jesus?
For 2,000 years people all over the world have asked this question. And though none of us was alive when Jesus lived on this earth-we do have an unequaled account of his birth, his life (what He said and did and why), death on the cross and resurrection. The account is found in the Bible-God’s Word.
For more information visit the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.