What We Believe

Luther's Seal

The Bible

We believe that the Holy Bible is God's Word. It is God-breathed and our final authority in matters of faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:105).

God

We believe that there is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human. By his death and resurrection, He has redeemed us (1 Timothy 3:16; Mark 10:45; Colossians 1:15-20).

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit calls us to faith through the Gospel. We teach that the Holy Spirit's supernatural gifts are available and operative today for all Christians (Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-25; Romans 12).

Human Nature

We teach that human nature contains selfishness and sin, which are not removable by human means (Romans 3:23).

Salvation

We teach that Christ alone (Acts 4:2; John 14:6) provides salvation. This salvation is a free gift, "grace" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Faith

We teach that one can be certain of eternal life ("assurance" John 5:24). We teach that we partake of this free gift of grace by faith alone (Romans 3:28; John 3:16) and thereby enter a lifelong process of change and growth (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20).

The Church

We teach that we are a part of one true Church (Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 12:5) made up of all who believe in Christ as Lord. We extend the hand of fellowship to all members of the universal Christian Church (Romans 15:7).

Prayer

We at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at The Villages are people of prayer. We teach that God answers prayer, and we encourage everyone to grow in prayer (James 5:16; Matthew 18:18-20).

Baptism and the Lord's Supper

We teach that Jesus instituted Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper. We teach that God truly acts in these sacraments and that our faith is essential for their effectiveness (Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 3:16).

Our Lutheran Heritage and Identity

We identify with the renewal movement begun in the Lutheran Reformation. We teach the Lutheran themes of grace through faith alone, scripture alone, and Christ alone.

Christ Will Come Again

We teach that Christ will reappear in power to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 25:31).