What We Believe
Peace in Christ is a congregation of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod
We believe, teach, and respond to the love of the Triune God: the Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God.
About the Trinity
This is the name we give for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit: revealed through three persons, but one God. They are coequal and coeternal, existing from the beginning.
Genesis 1:1-2; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 28:19; Romans 14:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:1-2
About the Father
He is the first person of the Trinity who spoke the world into existence and sent His only Son to save us through His sacrificial death.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
About Jesus
Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, the Son of God and coequal with the Father. He is 100% human and 100% divine, the only sinless person to ever live. His death on the cross is the perfect sacrifice that took away the sins of all people. He arose from the dead after three days in the grave, demonstrating His power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of God the Father until He returns again to usher in His kingdom in full.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity who sustains faith in Christians and gives each a spiritual gift. He meets us in the waters of baptism and the meal of communion. He provides the Christian power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. As Christians, we seek to be led by the Holy Spirit so we can join the mission of bringing the Gospel to all people.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
About The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
About Humanity
People are made in the image of God, but have been distorted by sin. People are the supreme object of God’s creation, and supreme focus of God’s activity in the world.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
About Sin
All humans after Adam and Eve are born with sin (original sin). Sin is anything that separates us from God. It is our ultimate debt in life.
Romans 3:23; Genesis 4:4-7; Galatians 5:19-21; Psalm 119:25-29; Matthew 23:23-24; James 4:17-21; Isaiah 64:6; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:7-9
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us through faith in Jesus Christ. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. We are saved when we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
About Eternal Life
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with God is eternal salvation. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
About The Church
The Church is called the body of Christ who are the people of God gathered around the Word and Sacraments. The Church is sometimes confused with Sunday morning, but is people on a mission in the world to bring people to Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:4-5; Colossians 1:18-24; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 4:4; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 5:29-30; Colossians 3:15
About The Sacraments
Sacraments are commanded by Jesus (as recorded in the Bible), assure us of God’s grace (receive forgiveness of sins), and are linked to a physical, tangible, earthly element (i.e. water, bread, and wine). Therefore, we believe there are two sacraments: baptism and communion.
Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25; Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
About Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament that involved water, and the Holy Spirit comes through the water and the Word. Baptism is done in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19, Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-7
About Communion
Sometimes called “The Eucharist” or “The Lord’s Supper”, this sacrament involved bread and wine, which Jesus’ body and blood are in, with, and under. Those who believe this and partake in the meal receive forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
As Lutheran Christians we emphasize…
- 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.
- Grace Alone: God loves the people of the world, even though our sin separates us from Him. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unloveable and save the ungodly.
- Scripture Alone: The Bible is God’s inspired Word, in which He speaks to us and reveals Himself, His love and His desire for us. While the Bible does not contain all knowledge, it does contain that which is necessary for salvation.