What We Believe
St. Paul Lutheran Church is an affiliate member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). We hold to the confessions of this Lutheran Church, as taught in Holy Scripture, spoken through the Apostles, the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds, and handed down to us in the Book of Concord.
Holy Scripture
We believe that Scripture is the true, infallible and inerrant Word of God, as recorded by the prophets and apostles through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We believe that Scripture reveals to us the will of God which is to work salvation through Jesus Christ for all people to be received by faith. We believe that Scripture is the only rule and norm of faith.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; Isaiah 55:11; Revelation 22:18-19; Matthew 24:35; John 5:24; John 20:30-31
God
We believe in the one, true God, who is the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is three persons, yet one God. We believe that God created the world in seven days and continues to care for it. We believe that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and eternally good.
Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1; Matthew 3:16-17
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, being both True God and True Man. We believe that Jesus died on the cross (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19) and rose again from the dead (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20) to save us from our sins and give us everlasting life with Him.
John 1:1-18; Philippians 2:5-11; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 1 John 2:2; Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 3:21-26
Salvation by Faith Alone through Grace Alone
We believe that we are saved by God's grace alone, through faith alone, and not by our works or merit.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Colossians 2:13; Romans 10:14-17
Sacraments
We believe that Holy Baptism, which is water applied in the Name of the Triune God according to Jesus’ command and promise, works rebirth and renewal, delivers and applies the forgiveness of sins, joins the baptized to Jesus’ death and resurrection, and grants eternal life and salvation to all who believe the promise of salvation attached to Baptism.
Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Romans 6:4-5; Colossians 2:11-12; Titus 3:5-8; 1 Peter 3:21
We believe that in the Lord’s Supper we actually receive Christ’s body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins (Matthew 26:26-28). As we eat and drink Christ’s body and blood in this sacred meal we confess His death to the world (1 Corinthians 11:26), which means the Lord’s Supper is a confession of the shared faith of all those who commune. As a result of this, and out of love for all who come to St. Paul, we practice closed communion. This practice is done out of love for all who attend, as the Lord’s Supper can be received to a person’s judgment (1 Corinthians 11:29). If you are away from your home congregation and would like to commune with us at St. Paul, please contact the pastor prior to the service.
Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29