What Lutheran's Believe

With the universal Christian Church, The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God: the Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God's Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God.

Being "Lutheran," our congregations accept and teach Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.

Grace alone
God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.

Faith alone
By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.

Scripture alone
The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.

For more in-depth information on Lutheran beliefs, log on to the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod web site at www.lcms.org.

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About Martin Luther's Seal

The Luther Rose, also known as the Luther Seal, is easily the most recognized symbol for Lutheranism, and for good reason. Martin Luther personally oversaw the creation of this symbol. It provides a beautiful summary of his faith, a faith that is common to all Christians, of every place and time. Here is how Luther explained the meaning of his seal:

“Grace and peace from the Lord.  As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology.  The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us.  For one who believes from the heart will be justified” (Rom. 10:10).  Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color.  It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive.  “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17) but by faith in the crucified.  Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12).  Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed.  An around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end.  Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal.  This is my compendium theoligae [summary of theology].  I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation.  May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter.  Amen.”