Our Beliefs

Our Faith is Centered in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ and Him Crucified

Lutherans build their lives on Jesus Christ. We believe Jesus Christ is the only, perfect, Son of God--and eternal God Himself. We believe that Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to God's law, died for us and for every person in the world. And we believe that Jesus rose from the dead and lives for us--and for all people who believe in Him as their Savior.

Jesus brings people close to God. Lutherans teach and believe that their lives--today, tomorrow and in eternity--depend on Jesus.

Lutherans live with a sure hope of eternal life because of Jesus Christ. They know they're not perfect, that they stumble and fall in their daily walk with God. But they also know that their forgiveness has been won and paid for by Jesus Christ and when they repent and seek forgiveness, God will forgive them because of Jesus.

And, they want to tell others about that hope!

Lutherans Are Christians

Lutherans hold the foundational beliefs shared by all Christians:

• The Bible is God's Word, spoken through human writers.

• Sin is revolt against God in thought, word and deed. The Greek word means "missing the mark". In this context it means "missing the mark of God's Standard and plan". Every person has "missed the mark" and therefore is guilty before God. This revolt against God and His will is the source and cause of all bigotry, prejudice, hatred and every evil in the world.

• Everyone will have existence after death - either in heaven or hell - forever (eternal life or eternal death).

• God has a plan to end the world, when He will judge everyone - both the living and the resurrected dead. Since everyone deserves eternal death, only those who trust (have faith in) Jesus Christ to save them from the consequences of their sin, will be restored to fellowship with God and given the free gift of eternal life.

Lutherans proudly display the sign of the cross, a symbol used by all Christians. The cross symbolizes the terrible death that Jesus suffered as payment for the sins of every man.

How Lutherans Got Started

Lutherans take their name from Martin Luther, a German priest who sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church in the early 1500s and return the church to its Biblical foundation. Luther's writing, debating, preaching and teaching sparked the Protestant Reformation.

Through his study of the Bible, Luther helped the Christian Church rediscover the basic gospel truths: that God is loving and that He offers forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift because of Jesus Christ without any merit or good works by us.

Luther taught that people--no matter how hard they try--cannot earn God's forgiveness or a place in heaven. It is a gift from God that people receive through faith in Jesus Christ.

Lutherans Trust the Bible as the ONLY norm for Faith and Life

Lutherans often refer to three "solas" (Latin for "alone") as a summary of the faith that gives them hope:

• Grace alone--God loved the world, though we do not deserve His love. He sent His Son to love the unlovely and save the ungodly. That grace alone can empower with faith and cause us to live holy lives. That God's grace is extended to us that we might live in His presence and know his plan for our lives, both in this world and the next.

• Faith alone--Jesus has provided for our forgiveness and life; those who hear this promise and believe it, have what it offers. People don't "get" faith by their own effort or reason; God gives it as He gives us His promises.

• Scripture alone--The Bible is the only reliable source that shows God's will and the only basis for faith.

Integral to who we are is our understanding and application of Law and Gospel. The Bible gives the Law, showing God's expectation of people and the terrible consequences for not following His commands. But the Bible also reveals the Gospel--the "good news" of God's love and forgiveness.

Lutheran Distinctives

• Lutherans view Baptism, the Lord's Supper and the ministry of God's Word as means by which God gives people His grace. We believe that grace is God's favor and forgiveness given to undeserving people. All of this because of His love towards us.

• Local churches, or congregations, are the central community for faith and practice. Here we join together for joint worship of God, mutual encouragement, and to accomplish the purposes God has established for the congregation.

• Christian education is important to us. Lutherans provide Sunday schools, Bible classes, home-study groups, preschools, elementary and high schools, and colleges. We at Beautiful Savior have a wide offering of educational opportunities available for all ages.

• We share Our faith as individuals by our changed lives and personal testimonies and collectively through outreach events and mission programs at home and worldwide.

• We care about and for people in need. As a denomination we provide hospitals, help for children and families, and worldwide relief for the hungry, homeless and helpless. The members of Beautiful Savior are actively involved in local outreach ministries to those in need.

• Lutheran worship style, which includes a lot of music and singing, may be "liturgical," following the worship forms handed down from the early Christian church, or expressed in more contemporary forms. We at Beautiful Savior are convinced that the "form" is not what makes worship. True worship is a heart responding to God's love and saying YES to His plan.

Please join us for worship and the study of God's Word and Will.

See our Events page for our schedule or call the office. God loves you and so do we!