The Lutheran Confessions
Our congregation adheres to , or more properly, confesses, the Book of Concord, which is the doctrinal standard of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and was first published in the 16th century A.D. It consists of a collection of texts which explain, among other things, what the Holy Scriptures teach about salvation and justification.
Holy Communion
If you are not a member of Grace Lutheran Church or of another congregation of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, please speak with Pastor or an elder before communing.
The Lord Jesus gives his holy Body and Blood to be received in doctrinal unity, Acts 2:42, teaching that His people are not to commune with those who teach differing teachings about Him and His holy gifts, 1 Cor. 10:21. Rather, He desires that all those who commune at His table receive His holy gifts in oneness with Him and one another, 1 Cor. 10:16-17, and in faith for the forgiveness of every sin, Matt. 26:28.
Therefore, all the congregations and pastors of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod have promised to practice doctrinal fellowship, i.e. “closed communion”, for the benefit and blessing of our Lord’s holy people. (As we confess in the Large Catechism, all Christians admitted to the Sacrament will have learned the Catechism.)
In His gift of the Holy Communion, the crucified Christ is both the Giver and the Gift. The same Body and Blood given over to death on the cross is now brought into our lives and given over to the sinner at the holy Altar. Jesus is always the Steward handing out His gifts, Luke 22:27. By His Word, He establishes us in oneness with Himself and His Father, John 17:17-20 According to His Word, He truly gives His actual Body and Blood into us, Luke 22:19-20; thereby we are truly joined to His saving cross.
GOD:
God is Triune, Father, Son, Holy Ghost; three persons, one divine essence. He is the only true God: Matt. 28:19;1 Cor. 8:4.
JESUS:
Jesus is God, equal to the Father, the only Savior of mankind: John 5:23, 14:6; Acts 4:12.
SIN:
All mankind is born in sin; by nature man is spiritually blind, dead and an enemy of God, condemned to eternal damnation outside of Christ: Psalms. 51:5; Rom. 3:23.
SCRIPTURE:
The Bible is inspired by God, without error: II Tim. 3:16; John 10:35.
JUSTIFICATION:
The world has been reconciled to God through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and all sins have been forgiven through Him. God no longer holds our sins against us, but has declared us righteous: 2 Cor. 5:19; Rom. 4:25.
CONVERSION:
Coming to faith in Christ is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit, not by some “decision” or “experience” by man. Conversion is worked by
the Gospel and Holy Baptism: I Pet. 1:23; John 3:5-6.
HOLY BAPTISM:
Baptism creates faith, washes away sins, saves, all as a gracious work of the Holy Spirit: John 3:5-6; Acts 22:16; I Pet. 3:21.
HOLY COMMUNION:
(Our Lord’s Supper) is Christ’s true Body and Blood, really present in the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of sins: Mt. 26:26-28; I Cor.
11:23-29; I Cor. 10:16. We practice “Closed Communion” as an expression of unity in God’s Word: Rom.16:17; I Cor. 1:10; I Cor. 10:16-17.
CREATION:
The world was created as described in Genesis 1-2. Evolution is unscriptural, unscientific, unnecessary: Gen. 1:1; Heb. 11:3; Ps. 33:6.
2ND COMING OF CHRIST:
Judgment Day will come suddenly and
unexpectedly. There is no millennium: 2 Pet. 3:10; Mk. 13:32; Matt. 24.
You are invited to join the congregation in worship and hearing the Word of God.
Please come!