Zion Lutheran Church, What we Believe

In faithful response to God’s grace and empowerment by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, the mission of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod is to vigorously make known the love of Christ by Word and deed to our churches, communities and the world.

Grace alone - God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love.  He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.
Scripture alone - The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.  It is the sole rule and norm for Christian Doctrine.
Faith alone - By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them.  Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers.  God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.

God’s Plan of Salvation for All

God loves all of us and wants to bless us
“Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all you who are working hard and carrying a heavy burden, and I will give you rest.’” Matthew 11:28
“God... wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

Our sins have cut us off from God
“For all have sinned and fall short of what God desires.” Romans 3:23

Our earthly and eternal consequences
“...so death also spread to all people, since all sinned.” Romans 5:12
“Jesus said, ‘Then these will go away to everlasting punishment,’” Matthew 25:46

We cannot rescue ourselves
“...no one is declared righteous before God by doing what the Law says,” Galatians 3:11

God wants to take us to heaven
“The Lord will rescue me from all harm and will take me safely to His heavenly kingdom.” 2 Timothy 4:18

God’s plan of rescue for us
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The Savior in action for us
“Christ never sinned...” 1 Peter 2:22
“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2

We are saved by grace through faith, not by our own efforts
“Yes, by His grace you are saved through faith.  It was not your own doing; it is God’s gift.  It is not the result of anything you have done; and so no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“For we conclude that a person is declared righteous by faith - apart from the works of the Law.” Romans 3:28

God’s Spirit creates saving faith in us through the Word and Baptism
“...no one is able to say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3
“...He gave birth to us by the Word of truth,” James 1:18
“...baptism now saves us,” 1 Peter 3:21

Our faith is preserved through Christ’s Word and His Supper
“...thirst for the pure milk of the Word in order that it may cause you to grow...” 1 Peter 2:2
“Jesus said, ‘Drink of it, all of you.  For this is My blood of the New Testament, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” Matthew 26:27-28

How we are to share and retain the gift of Salvation
“Always be ready to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have, but be gentle and respectful.” 1 Peter 3:15
“...by love continue to serve one another,” Galatians 5:13
“So whenever we have a chance, let us do good to everyone, especially to our family of believers.” Galatians 6:10
“Jesus said, ‘Continue to be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.’” Revelation 2:10

The Bible clearly teaches a way of salvation that knows nothing of earning heaven by means of any human effort.  Instead, passages like Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 11:6 teach the equation:

God’s grace  +  faith in Jesus  +  no human effort  =  Salvation