Beliefs

Introduction | Catechism | Confessions | Statements | What About?

Being “Lutheran,” our congregation accepts and teaches the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the Reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. These teaching can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace Alone, Scripture Alone, Faith 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.

Adapted from A Week in the Life of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
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Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation

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The Lutheran Confessions

The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod accepts the Scriptures as the inspired and inerrant Word of God, and subscribes unconditionally to all the symbolical books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God. We accept the Confessions because they are drawn from the Word of God and on that account regard their doctrinal content as a true and binding exposition of Holy Scripture and as authoritative for all pastors, congregations and other rostered church workers of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

Entire Book of Concord in PDF Format (2MB file)

Except for the Small Catechism, these texts are in the public domain and may be copied and distributed freely. The source of these translations, other than the Small Catechism, is Concordia Triglotta: The Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921).  The translation of the Small Catechism is copyright 1986 by The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

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LCMS Doctrinal Statements

A Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod (Adopted 1932)

A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles  (Adopted 1973)

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“What About” Series

A series of pamphlets, written by former LCMS President Dr. A.L. Barry, that address doctrinal topics, moral issues, and concerns facing the church, to help Christians grow in their understanding of these important questions.

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