Beliefs

In Daily Life

• We believe that we are saved by God’s gracious nature through faith. There is nothing we can do to earn our way to heaven. We do not equate “faith” with belief in doctrines. “Faith” is a relationship of trust with God.
• We believe that God loves us and forgives us. Because we are loved and forgiven by God we can love and forgive each other.
• God calls us to do good and meaningful work. This is our natural response to the love God has for us. God invites us to partner with him in order to accomplish his will in the world. Our lives have a purpose. It is important for all Christians to be in prayer, study, and discernment so that they know God’s will for their lives.
• Christians should not let cultural trends, advertisements, or other people define who they are. ‘Who a person is,’ is defined by God and God alone.

• We believe that the Body of Christ is the Church. The Church is the people. All believers are called to share their faith in the world and to encourage others to faith.
• We believe that the Bible is inspired by God and it is the rule and norm for faith.
• We believe that there are two sacraments – Baptism and Holy Communion. These are two things Jesus commanded us to do for forgiveness of sins.
• We believe we become Christians at Baptism. As St. Paul teaches, in Baptism we are joined to the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus so that we can be joined with Jesus in a resurrection like his. In Baptism a person is “born from above” or “born again” as Jesus teaches in the Gospel of John. We will baptize a person at any age. In the case of infants and those too young to make decisions for themselves we understand that the parents or guardians promise to rear the child in the covenant of their baptism.
• St. John’s practices “Open Communion.” That means that all baptized Christians are invited to come forward and receive. You don’t have to be a Lutheran. Children may receive at their parents’ or guardians’ discretion.
• We believe and teach that God has three personalities (or persons). That of the Father, the creator. That of Jesus, who saves us. And that of the Holy Spirit who inspires faith.
• We are a “Lutheran” Church because we accept that the Augsburg Confession is an accurate interpretation of the Bible. The Augsburg Confession was written in the 1530’s to defend the actions of those reforming the church in western Europe. It is based on the idea that all people are in need of God’s grace and that we are saved by God’s grace through faith.