What We Believe

We believe that God is a Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

We confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.

...Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate, through whom everything was made and through whose life, death, and resurrection God fashions a new creation.

...The proclamation of God's message to us as both Law and Gospel is the Word of God, revealing judgment and mercy through word and deed, beginning with the Word in creation, continuing in the history of Israel, and centering in all its fullness in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

...The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of God.  Inspired by God's Spirit speaking through their authors, they record and announce God's revelation centering on Jesus Christ.  Through them, God's Spirit speaks to us to create and sustain Christian faith and fellowship for service in the world.                                                                                                      from St John's Church Constitution

The Apostles' Creed

The First Article: On Creation

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

What does this mean?

I believe that God has created me together with all that exists.  God has given me and still preserves my body and soul.  God daily and abundantly provides all the necessities for this body and life.  God protects me against all danger and shields and preserves me from all evil.  All this is done out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness of mine at all!  For all of this, I owe it to God to thank and praise, serve, and obey him.  This is most certainly true.

The Second Article: On Redemption

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell.  On the third day, he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ, the true God and also a true human being, is my Lord.  he has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person.  He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death.  He has done all this in order that I may belong to him, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally.  This is most certainly true.

The Third Article: On Being Made Holy

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

What does this mean?

I believe that by my understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead, the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy, and kept me in the true faith.  The Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins and on the last day will raise me and all the dead and will give to me and all believers in Christ eternal life.  This is most certainly true.

                                                                                    Adapted from Luther's Small Catechism