The fundamental beliefs of Faith can be best and most accurately described using the words of those who have come before us and handed down the Apostles’ Creed to us as a core explanation of the faith we share.
This faith we declare is by no means unique to the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod or even the Protestant church. This faith we declare is the same faith that all faithful churches throughout history have declared and will declare into the future.
Faith is a member of the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod. To be a member of the LCMS is nothing more than to put your full confidence in the saving work of Jesus, apart from anything we can do. To learn more about the teachings of the LCMS, click here.
Finally, we understand that these truths expressed in the creed can be summarized into three basic biblical principles: faith alone, grace alone, and scripture alone. You can see what we mean by this below.
Faith Alone
Faith is simply humanity’s total trust. According to the Christian church throughout history and as taught in the Bible, “faith alone” means that, because God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) chooses you to be a his child and initiates that relationship with you through baptism, you are made right with God. Your relationship with the Lord is entirely dependent on trusting only in the saving work of Jesus on the cross for you.
Further Reading — John 3:16-17
Grace Alone
God the Father sent his Son, Jesus (who is also God) to earth to save the entire world from eternal hell. Because you and I and everyone in history (except for Jesus) have sinned and continue to sin, we deserve death. Through trust in Jesus’ saving work in his death and resurrection, however, we don’t receive the punishment of death we deserve. Jesus took on our death so that we are given life FOREVER with Him in the new heaven and new earth!
Further Reading — Romans 3
Scripture Alone
Everything that we need to know about God can be found in the Bible. The Bible is the living and breathing word of God. It’s not a book simply of words, but is a Spirit-inspired document, written by men but miraculously inspired by God, that leads us into a deeper faith with Him. Nothing can be added to or subtracted from this book. The Spirit of God works through these words to make us “wise to salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15) and to help us lead others to salvation.
Further Reading — 2 Timothy 3:15-17
The Lord’s Supper at FLC
We at FLC celebrate the Lord’s Supper together on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month. We believe that taking communion together is an important means for us as believers to receive the gifts of God together and to strengthen each other’s faith. Because of the importance of the Lord’s Supper in Scripture, we practice close communion, which means that those who share our understanding of what God does in communion are welcome to partake in this holy opportunity with us.