Key Beliefs

Simply stated, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod believes, teaches and confesses that in Christ alone there is salvation by grace, through faith alone, on the basis of Scripture alone.

We believe that Jesus Christ, True God and true man, is our only Savior from sin and the lord of our life; that God the Holy Spirit creates and preserves faith in us through the Word of God; and that the Bible is the verbally inspired, inerrant Word of God and the only basis and norm for faith in Jesus Christ and for eternal life.

To share this message with the world is the mission of the church and the reason for its existence.

At Peace Lutheran Church, we believe:

• In one God who is three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as He has revealed Himself to us in the Bible.
  
• That the Holy Bible is God's written revelation to mankind. It is the only standard for what we believe (doctrine) and for how we live (practice).
  
• That God created the whole universe. He created human beings for a special relationship with Himself. We are not merely products of random chance or evolution.
  
• That evil came into the world when the devil rebelled against God and when people gave in to his temptation. Sin separates us from God and robs us of the joy and happiness God intended. If it is not dealt with, it will separate us from God forever along with the devil and all who do evil.
  
• That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who became a human being to rescue us from the power of sin, death and the devil. He lived the perfect life for us and took our sins with Him to the cross where He died the death we deserved.
  
• On Easter He rose from the dead, defeating sin, death and the devil once and for all.
  
• That the benefits of Christ's death and Resurrection come to us in a personal relationship with God established by the Holy Spirit, who brings us to faith and keeps us in the faith by means of the Word and the Sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper).
  
• That Christ calls us to share the Good News of His love with you by our words of witness and acts of service.
  
• Apart from faith in Christ you will be lost forever. With Christ, you can be confident of going to heaven when you die.
  
• For a short summary of the Christian faith, see Martin Luther's Small Catechism

Key Teachings

• A God Who Cares For You
  
• A Bible Which Guides and Frees You
  
• A Savior Who Saves You
  
• A Spirit Who Converts You
  
• A Washing Which Cleanses You
  
• A Meal Which Feeds You
  
• A Devotional Life Which Blesses You
  
• Keys Which Lock and Unlock
  
• Stewardship Which Is Fully Committed
  
• A Life Which Never Ends

Table of Contents of I Have Good News For You by Donald F. Ginkel which serves as the study guide for the 10 week Inquiers' class held every spring and fall.

Key Practices

• Infant and Adult Baptism
  
• Close Communion- celebrated every Sunday
  
• Worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24, Hebrews 10:23-25)
  
• Honor the Lord with Biblically faithful and relevant teaching. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
  
• Inspire God's people to share their faith naturally and with confidence. (Acts 4:19,20, 1 Peter 3:15)
  
• Provide a variety of opportunities for Christians to grow spiritually through the regular study of God's Word. (1 Peter 2:1,2, Hebrews 6:1-3)
  
• Honor the Lord with music and song, praising Him with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. (Psalm 33:1-4, Ephesians 5:19,20)
  
• Provide Christian care and counseling to help carry each other's burdens. (Galatians 6:2, Matthew 25:34-36)
  
• Provide excellence in the Christian education of God's children. (Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 4:4-7)
  
• Encourage, train, and equip young people to live faithful lives in their youth. (Ecclesiastes 11:9,10, 1 Timothy 4:12)
  
• Conduct a ministry of intentional influence beyond our community and support mission endeavors near and far. (Luke 12:47,48, Luke 24:46,47)
  
• Promote spiritual leadership among clergy and laity to further their calling as servants of the Lord. (Ephesians 4:11,12, 2 Timothy 1:6,7)
  
• Maintain our facilities as good stewards of God's gracious gifts. (Haggai 1:4,5, James 1:17)
  
• Provide opportunities for Christian fellowship and mutual encouragement. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Faith in Practice

• We believe the congregation is not the mission. It is established by God to accomplish the mission. (1 Corinthians 9:22, Philippians 2:1-4)
  
• We believe Gods truth is revealed with power in His inerrant Word. (2 Peter 1:20,21, Isaiah 55: 10,1 1)
  
• We believe faithful Christian ministry will emphasize salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-10, 1 Corinthians 2:2)
  
• We believe followers of Jesus Christ will demonstrate good works and the fruit of the Spirit which is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. (Galatians 5:22,23, Matthew 7:16)
  
• We believe that every Christian is called by God to live a life of eternal significance and is uniquely gifted for service. (Romans 12: 1, I Peter 4: 10)
  
• We believe integrity, not popularity, is Gods standard for faithful Christian leaders. (Isaiah 51:7,8, Galatians 1:10)
  
• We believe that God is creative by nature and innovation, without compromise of truth, is God-pleasing. (John 14:12, Isaiah 43:18,19)
  
• We believe that God is honored by excellence in ministry. (Ecclesiastes 9: 10, I Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Peter 1:5-11)

• Apostles Creed
  
• Nicene Creed
  
• Augustinian Creed
  
• For a more lengthy exposition, see the The Augsburg Confession, which contains a formal statement of the Lutheran faith.

Web Page Last Updated: 03/23/2007