What do Lutherans believe?

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

A Lutheran is:

• A member of the larger body of Christ including all followers of Jesus Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, non-affiliated, etc.)
• Completely reliant on the grace of God for salvation
• Baptized once for the forgiveness of sin and regularly receives the sacrament of Holy Communion
• Claimed by God, marked with the cross of Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit
• A servant within his/her family, church and community

A Lutheran believes:

• There is one God made known in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the Trinity)
• God the Father created and sustains all things
• God the Son died on a cross to free us from sin and guilt to new life
• God the Spirit lives within and around us calling us to follow each day

The Bible is the inspired word of God:

• The Bible tells the story of God’s relationship with God’s people
• The Bible is not a rule book but a “living word” that calls us to radical change
• The Bible is accepted as the primary and authoritative witness to the   church’s faith.  It was written and transcribed by many authors over a period of many centuries.  The Bible bears remarkable testimony to the mighty acts of God in the lives of people and nations.
• The Bible affirms that all people have worth and dignity because we are all created in God’s image

The Essence of Lutheranism:

• We are saved by the grace of God alone—not by anything we do (Galatians 2:15-16)
• Our salvation comes through faith alone—we only need to trust God made known in Christ who promises us forgiveness, life and salvation
• The Bible is the norm for faith and life—the true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged

The Sacraments:

Lutherans accept two sacraments as God-given means of grace—Baptism and Holy Communion. In Baptism, God freely offers his grace and lovingly incorporates us into his new community—the Church.  In Holy Communion, often called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, those who come to the table receive the bread and the wine—the body and blood of our Lord.  This gift is itself the real presence of God’s forgiveness and mercy, nourishing believers in union with their Lord and with each other.