Trinity
We believe that God has existed in relationship with Himself from all eternity. He has revealed Himself to us as one God in three Persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We call this relationship the Trinity. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” John 1:33 ESV
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” Matthew 28:19 ESV
We believe that God the Father created the Universe. He is loving, compassionate, just, and kind. His deepest desire is to live in an intimate relationship with all people.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 ESV
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 ESV
We believe that because of His desire to live in a relationship with us, God became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, is fully God and fully man. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for all people to live in a relationship with God, both now and in eternity.
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” Luke 1:35 ESV
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. Acts 2:32-33 ESV
We believe that the Holy Spirit brings people to faith in Jesus Christ. He gives spiritual gifts to all believers, and helps us become more like Christ (more like God intended us to be). The Holy Spirit works in our lives through the means of grace: the Word (the Bible) and the two sacraments of baptism and communion.
…and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 ESV
Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 1 Corinthians 12:3-4 ESV
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 ESV
The Bible
We believe that God reveals himself to us through his Word, the Bible. The Bible is written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, the Bible is without error and is a completely reliable guide for our lives.
Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5 ESV
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
We believe the Lutheran Confessions are a true and helpful explanation of (guide to) the Bible, but our faith comes from Scripture alone.
The Sacraments
We believe in and practice the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Sacraments are actions of God to bring us his grace.
In the waters of Baptism, God comes to us, creating faith in us by his Holy Spirit and adopting us as his children. Because baptism is primarily God’s action of giving faith, we baptize both infants and adults.
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 ESV
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” Matthew 28:19 ESV
We believe that through the Lord’s Supper, God comes to us to love, forgive, and strengthen us. Jesus’ body and blood are truly present in the bread and wine.
“Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” John 6:54-55 ESV
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. I Corinthians 11:23-29 ESV
The Church
We believe that the church consists of all believers throughout the world, united by our faith in Jesus. Believers organize themselves into local congregations, where our faith is lived out together. Together, we are called to worship Him, serve Him, and share God’s love and forgiveness with the world.
Local congregations organize themselves into denominations, groups of congregations who share a common faith and agree to work together to share the Good News. Trinity is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 ESV
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV
Humanity
We believe in the worth and value of every human life. We are created in God’s image and have dignity, worth, and purpose. Our value is dependent, not on our deeds or abilities, but on God’s love.
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 ESV
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:7-11 ESV
Although we were created perfect, every person has been affected by sin. Sin is rebellion against God, living outside of his plan and design. Sin distorts God’s perfect creation and separates us from Him. Because of sin, we are unable to attain a right relationship with God. Sin ultimately results in death and condemnation to hell, an eternal separation from God.
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:23 ESV
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins… Ephesians 2:1 ESV
Salvation and New Life
Although we have sinned and rebelled against God, God still loves us and wants all people to be saved. Because we are powerless to find our way back to God, God the Father sent his son Jesus to redeem us. Through Jesus, God offers forgiveness to all who believe in Him. This forgiveness brings us into a restored relationship with God that lasts for eternity.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 ESV
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 ESV
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 ESV
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
This salvation is not just something we experience in heaven, but changes our lives here and now. When we are saved, we enter into a new relationship with God and begin to live as the people He always intended us to be.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b ESV
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 ESV
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV
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God Loves You
Do you have a question that has been haunting you for a while about faith?
- Does God really love me?
- Who is the oldest person in the Bible?
- Why do bad things happen to good people?
- Was Noah’s ark really real?
- Who is the Old Testament Malech Yahweh?
Here is your chance to ask! No question related to faith is out of bounds!