Our Beliefs

The Lutheran faith is built around three basic principles –

These principles of Word Alone, Faith Alone, and Grace Alone are then articulated in what we call the six-chief parts of the Christian Faith. These six parts provide a summary of what we believe.

They are outlined in Martin Luther's Small Catechism and they provide a clear explanation of the the most important teachings found in the Bible. If you would like have a copy of the Catechism give us a call in the church office. We would be glad to give you one.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The 10 commandments set out the requirements of God’s Law. They show us how God expects us to live our lives in a God pleasing way. However, God reminds us through the 10 commandments that we all sin and fall short of God's standard. We litteraly miss the mark (aka - SIN). Thus we need a Savior who can forgive us from all our mistakes, failures, and short-comings.

CLICK HERE for a copy of the Ten Commandmets and Luther's Explanation

THE APOSTLES CREED

The Creed summarizes the Bible’s teachings about God as he has chosen to reveal himself. While the Creed has three parts to it (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), it has a special emphaiss on Jesus. It describes how he was born as a human being, suffered and died for our sins, and was raised to life again at the first Easter. In our worship services we use the Creed to confess together as a community of faith what we believe about God.

CLICK HERE for a copy of the Apostles Creed and Luther's Explanation

THE LORD'S PRAYER

The disciples once asked Jesus, "How should we pray?" So Jesus taught to his disciples the simple prayer that we know call the Lord's Prayer.

It is the model for our own prayer life and it teaches us what we should ask God for.

The Lord’s Prayer also teaches us a great deal about what God is like and His priorities for His creation and our own lives.

This prayer invites us to trust Jesus for all God things and for his help in times of distress and temptation.

CLICK HERE for a copy of the Lord's Prayer and Luther's Explanation

HOLY BAPTISM

Baptism is the start of the Christian life!

Here at Good Shepherd we BAPTIZE ALL PEOPLE!!! Young and Old, Male and Female, Rich and Poor, Black and White and everyone in between.

When you are BAPTIZED you receive forgiveness, you are rescued from death and the devil, and you are given eternal salvation.

It is also the basis for our life as a Christian, which Martin Luther portrays as a daily return to the waters of Baptism to receive its blessings new every day!

CLICK HERE for our more on Baptism and Luther's Explanation

CONFESSION AND THE OFFICE OF THE KEYS

The Christian faith is not just about reading words on a page, but about hearing God’s message of forgiveness with our own ears. The essence of confession is not our confession, but the words of absolution we hear from our pastor or our fellow Christian. These are words spoken in love and grace to assure each of us of the forgivenes of sins that comes from Christ. It is as if Christ himself were saying them to us.

CLICK HERE for more on Confession and Forgiveness and Luther's Explanation

THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR (HOLY COMMUNION)

Better known today as the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion, this Sacrament lies at the heart of the Christian church’s weekly worship. The Lord’s Supper is not merely a symbolic meal, nor is it something that we offer back to God: it is, as Luther puts it, “the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine”, in which “forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us”.

CLICK HERE for more on the Lord's Supper and Luther's Explanation

For a more extensive treatment of “What Lutherans Believe” check out www.LCMS.org