WE BELIEVE

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Three 3:16's summarize our beliefs

• How we learn what we believe: 2 Timothy 3:16 - “All Scripture [the whole Bible] is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”

• The Person in whom we believe: John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

• What we do with what we believe: 1 John 3:16 - “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

 

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Grace Alone. Faith Alone. God’s Word Alone.

We believe in the Gospel - good news - of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection for you. All humans, men, and women, young and old, are rescued from the effects of sin only by the mercy of God. Sin is the broken state in which we find ourselves, both unwilling and unable to live the way God calls us to through the Bible. Through faith, a relationship that depends on Jesus and is a gift of God, we are forgiven and live a new and everlasting life. God's Word - the Bible - is the lens through which we interpret the world and receive guidance for life. From beginning to end, it points to Jesus, the Son of God. Through reading and studying it regularly, we are encouraged in our faith and shown that a life of humble repentance and seeking God leads to our joy.

 

Because of this, we believe that it is through grace alone that we are saved by faith alone, not of ourselves and that God reveals Himself to us and gives us direction through His Word alone.

 

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We Profess/Confess/Declare:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

On the third day He rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,

from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Holy Christian Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen. 

 

The words of the Apostles' Creed, along with the Nicene and Athanasian Creed, have served as a summary of Spirit-filled and biblical belief since the earliest days of Christianity. They summarize what Christians have always confessed when gathered around God's Word in the name of God's Son, Jesus--and they are the truths that we believe, teach, and confess at Lazarus Church.

 

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Our Heritage

Lutheran. Specifically, we are associated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. To be Lutheran simply means that we accept the biblical truths that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century and led to a renewed focus on the Gospel, the good news about Jesus.

 

As a result, we uphold an extravagant and mysterious view of God's love: that man is saved purely by God's grace through faith alone, apart from works. We believe that God is so loving and powerful that he is actively working through His Word - the Bible - as well as saving and sustaining sinful men, women, and children through his mysterious gifts of baptism and the Lord's Supper.

 

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Lord’s Supper/Communion

In this incredible meal, God strengthens our faith and gives us forgiveness, life, and salvation. We take Jesus at His word that this meal is “for you” “for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 22:19 & Matthew 26:28). We believe that Jesus is somehow really present in, with, and under the bread and wine as He promises. We treat this gift with respect by taking time to consider these questions before participating in communion:

• Do I believe in Jesus? (In other words, can I affirm the words of the Apostles’ Creed above?)

• Am I sorry for my sins? (Repentant hearts receive this gift trusting that in it forgiveness is given.)

• Do I plan, with the Holy Spirit’s help, to walk in the new life I receive in this meal? (Every follower of Jesus is called to die to self and walk in newness of life. That might look like giving up a sinful habit or removing oneself from a sinful lifestyle. It is impossible to receive the Lord’s Supper and remain unchanged.)

If you have questions about communion or about professing agreement with what this church believes, contact Pastor Mark. For those who are unsure about participating in the Lord’s Supper, we invite you to come forward and receive a prayer of blessing during this time in the service. 

 

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Baptism

The word baptize in the original Greek simply means to wash. It was the same word used to describe washing one’s body, hands, or the kitchen table. The amount of water used matters less than the promise God attaches to this gift. Through baptism, God gives the incredible gifts of faith, forgiveness, life, and salvation. When we are baptized, we receive the Holy Spirit. We receive a new identity as children of God. You’ll notice that these are all passive actions. That’s because we believe God is the Initiator and Giver of this gift. That’s also why we baptize people of all ages, adults to infants. This is a gift received by faith. We believe infants can have faith in God in the same way they have faith that their parents will care for them when they cry. If you haven’t yet been baptized, we’d love to talk with you more about receiving this incredible gift! 

 

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Have questions?

Let Pastor Mark buy you coffee.