St. John Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. A thorough summary of our beliefs is at our Synod’s website: https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs. We recognize the confessions found in the Small Catechism and the entire Book of Concord: https://bookofconcord.org.

Our church recognizes the Bible as the true, inspired, inerrant, and reliable Word of God. It is the fundamental source and authority for the teaching, practice, and life of the church and every Christian. The incarnation, life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the essential message of the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures and works through the Scriptures and Sacraments alone. John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

We believe in one God eternally revealed in three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinitarian God created and sustains all things in heaven and on earth. The Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds are our confessions and summarize our understanding of the Trinity. Genesis 1-2; Psalm 146:5-6; Matthew 28:20.

Jesus Christ is true God from eternity and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary. By His perfect life, profound teachings, vicarious death, bodily resurrection, and reign at God’s right hand, He is the only Savior from sin and the only Mediator between God and humanity. There is salvation in no one else. John 1:1-3,14; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 5:20; Acts 4:12.

We believe in an inaugurated eschatology, generally called amillennialism. Our Lord Jesus Christ will return visibly on the Last Day to raise the bodies of all the dead, to condemn those who reject Him in unbelief to eternal punishment, and to give eternal life to all who trust in Him for forgiveness, life, and salvation. His return will bring about a New Jerusalem and a new creation. We reject the typical dispensational or premillennial theory of a secret rapture before Christ’s final return. Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29, 2 Peter 3:11-13; Revelation 1:7.

Although we were made originally in His image, since the fall of Adam and Eve, all those naturally born are conceived and born in sin and under the curse. Apart from regeneration, humanity lacks the fear of God and trust in God. Present in our sinful passions is an inclination to sin, called concupiscence. Humanity is sadly curved in on self. Our thoughts, feelings, and passions are misguided and corrupt and must be redeemed and restored by Christ. Genesis 3; Psalm 51; Ephesians 2:1-10.

We are justified, or declared righteous, in the sight of God and rescued from sin, death, and damnation not by our works but solely by God’s undeserved kindness given through Jesus Christ. Faith is the gracious gift of God bestowed when and where He pleases. John 1:29; 3:5-8; Romans 3:21-28; Ephesians. 2:8.

Good works, prayer, and holy living are necessary and are the fruit of faith in Christ. They are not the cause of our salvation. Genuine good works flow from the renewal God works in our hearts and from what God commands in His Word. Faith alone receives His righteousness. Our lives glorify God as we serve our neighbor. Holiness and godliness supply proof that faith is living. John 15:5; Hebrews 11:16; Ephesians 2:8-10.

The church belongs to Christ and is present in the world until the end. We find the church wherever believers are gathered around the Word of God purely taught and the Sacraments rightly administered. Matthew 13:47-48; 18:20; Acts 2:42.

Christian Baptism is an application of water by pouring, sprinkling or immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We baptize infants, children, and adults at Christ’s institution and with His Word. We affirm the biblical teaching of baptismal regeneration. The work in Baptism belongs to the Lord alone. Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:5; Acts 2:38-39; Titus 3:5; Romans 6:4; 1 Peter 3:21.

Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ sacramentally and mysteriously present in bread and wine. We receive the Sacrament as a confession of the faith of our altar and as a true communion with Christ. In the Sacrament we receive the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of our faith. We receive the Sacrament every Sunday and on many of the feast days of the church. We practice closed Communion. Please make an appointment with the pastor before you commune if you do not share the confession of faith of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-26.