For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
What We Believe
At the heart of what we believe is the conviction that salvation is the free gift of God’s grace (undeserved mercy) for Christ’s sake alone. From the fall of Adam and Eve, all have sinned.Sin makes it utterly impossible for all people to earn forgiveness. If salvation were dependent on our good works, there would be no hope for anyone. ~ This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24 God alone gives us this grace through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Speaking with Martha, Jesus said, ~ “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told Him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” John 11:25-27
We believe that the Scriptures teach that God’s grace in Christ Jesus is universal, embracing all people of all times and all places. ~ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ~ Therefore, as sinners, we do not need to question whether Christ has died for each and every one our sins.
2. Faith Alone
“Through faith alone” also implies that it is only through the proclamation of the Gospel — in Word and Sacrament — that the Holy Spirit gives the gift of faith. Faith is a free gift of God. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. ~ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:6-9
3. Scripture Alone
The key to understanding Scripture properly, we believe, is the careful distinction between the Law and the Gospel. The Law tells what God demands of sinners, if they are to be saved. ~ What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” Romans 7:7 ~ The Gospel reveals what God has already done for our salvation. The chief purpose of the Law is to show us our sin and our need for a Savior. The Gospel offers the free gift of God’s salvation in Christ. Because of our sin, we cannot fulfill the Law. Jesus came as the perfect fulfillment. This is the true Gospel message. ~ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18
Statements taken from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. All Bible references are from the NIV version. (New International Version)