Belief and Practice at St. John Lutheran Church:
St. John is a member of the synod of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. We believe and teach the Triune God: the
Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all
human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and the Holy Spirit, who creates
faith through God's Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God.
Being "Lutheran," our congregation accepts and teaches Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired
the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther and the reformers 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 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:
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:
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 doctrine.
(above information adapted from the statement of beliefs
from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's website at www.lcms.org)
