What we believe
and teach
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Click HERE for a Comparison of Teachings
WE STILL BELIEVE .
. .
In an age of constant change, we
still believe in the unchanging Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
-- three persons in One God.
In an age of Humanism's confusion, we
still believe that God created the universe in six 24-hour days as revealed
in Genesis, and that the whole Bible is God's Word, free from all errors,
contradictions or myths.
In an age of doubt, we still believe that
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
In an age of fear and guilt, we still believe
that Christ died on the cross as payment for the sins of the world, and
that the world is declared righteous because of his perfect life and
innocent death.
In an age of work-righteous religion, we
still believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead because His
sacrifice was accepted by God the Father as the full and complete payment
for the sins of the world. Heaven is not earned by obedience to the law (good
works) but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Nor is man capable
of bringing himself to faith, or of making a decision to become a
Christian. It is the Holy Spirit alone, working through the Gospel, that creates and sustains saving faith. Human
beings cannot save themselves.
In an age of religious unionism, we
still believe that to preserve the pure Gospel of Christ for ourselves and
others, Christians are commanded by God to test and judge all teachings and
philosophies, to hold to whatever agrees with God's Word, and to avoid all
religious fellowship with that which is contrary to that Word.
In an age of "evangelical materialism", we
still believe that the "evangel" is the proclamation of
forgiveness and the gaining of heaven through faith in Christ, not the
preaching of principles by which one may lead a "good" life and
gain earthly wealth.
"If you hold to my teaching, then you are really my
disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free."
John 8:31-32
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A Comparison of Teachings
"Test the
spirits whether they are of God;
because many false
prophets have gone out into the world."
(1 John 4:1).
From its beginning, our congregation has been determined to
teach only what is "of God," that is, teachings that are recorded
in the BIBLE, which is GOD'S WORD. We call ourselves Lutheran because we
hold to the historic Lutheran teachings. The BIBLE is the only source for
these teachings.
Below are some examples of what the Bible teaches, in
contrast to the errors that are taught by many of todayâs âliberal" churches.
The Way to
Heaven
Bible Teaching All
people are sinners - faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Those who refuse to confess and repent of their sins, die without faith
in Him, and are eternally lost in hell.
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False Teaching Sincere followers of non-Christian religions
may get to heaven, even without believing in Jesus.
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"All have
sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" Romans
3:23.
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For by grace
you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is
the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast"
Ephesians 2:8-9.
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"Therefore
being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ" Romans 3:23.
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"The gift
of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"
Romans 6:23.
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"Therefore
repent and convert so that your sins may be blotted
out" Acts 3:19.
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"I am the
Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me. Because I live, you shall live also"
John 14:6.
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"God so
loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believes in Him should not perish but have eternal
life" John 3:16.
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Inspiration of the Bible
Bible Teaching
The Bible is the inspired Word of God in its entirety, without error or
contradiction.
False Teaching The
Bible is a book written by fallible men and therefore subject to error.
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"All Scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man
of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good
work" 1 Timothy 3:16.
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"When you
received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not
as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God"
1 Thessalonians 2:13.
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"Holy men
of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" 2
Peter 1:21.
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Creation of the World
Bible
Teaching The
one almighty and Triune God created the world and everything in it,
including man, in six ordinary days.
False Teaching
All things have come into being by a process of
evolution. Man has evolved from lower forms of life.
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"In the
beginning God created the heavens and the earth"
Genesis 1:1.
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"For in
six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that
is in them, and rested on the seventh day" Exodus
20:11.
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"For by
Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible" Colossians 1:16.
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"By faith
we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that
the things which are seen were not made of things which are
visible" Hebrews 11:3.
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False Beliefs &
Alternative Lifestyles
are not pleasing to God
Bible Teaching Every
teaching in the Bible is important. Therefore
Christians should stand up for the Truth (and not tolerate error).
Although God shows His love to sinners (John 3:16), He also hates sin and
tells us that willingly following error and living in sin is a tool of
Satan to take away our faith.
False Teaching
The Bible teachings are either unclear, unimportant, or not
valid for our day and age. Following God's Word is a matter of
preference. God does not care what we believe or
the lifestyle we choose to live.
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"Do not
be carried about with various and strange doctrines"
Hebrews 13:9.
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"There
will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in
destructive heresies" 2
Peter 2:1.
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"Teach no
other doctrine" 1 Timothy 1:3.
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"And in
vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of
men" Matthew 15:9.
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"Beware
lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and vain
deceit" Colossians 2:8.
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"Neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals...will
inherit the kingdom of God" 1 Corinthans 6:9.
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"Now I
urge you brethern, note those who cause
divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you have
learned, and avoid them" Romans 16:17.
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We believe that
Christians ought to be concerned about upholding the truth and rejecting
all false teachings. Our Lord Jesus promises: "If you abide in My
word, you are My disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth and the
truth shall make you free" John 8:32.
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Our congregation is a member of
The Church of
the Lutheran Confession "CLC"
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