The Holy Trinity
We believe in the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – three distinct persons, yet one divine being.
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus is true God and true man – all while one person. He is the eternal Son of the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary to be our Lord and Savior.
Scripture
We believe that the Bible is God’s Word. For this reason, the Scriptures are both incapable of error and contain no mistakes. It gives us everything we need to know for Christian faith and life.
Creation
God created the world in six literal days by His word. He loves his creation and remains present and active within it, constantly looking after it and creating new life within it.
Redemption
Beginning with our first parents, all humanity has rebelled against God and fallen into darkness, sin, and death. God the Father sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world to become man and to redeem and save humanity by His death and resurrection.
Sanctification
We believe that we cannot choose to believe on our own. But the Holy Spirit creates faith in us through His Word and Holy Baptism. He sanctifies us (makes us holy before God), forgives all our sins, and gives us eternal life. Good works for our neighbor flow from the faith He gives us.
The Sacraments
Holy Baptism
Jesus instituted baptism in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (ESV).” We believe that through the means of water, combined with God’s word, God marks us as His own and gives us His name. The Holy Spirit creates faith in all who are baptized, even the smallest of children, and delivers to us the “forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this” (Luther’s Small Catechism). As God writes through Peter in 1 Peter 3:21, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you” (ESV).
The Lord’s Supper
Also called the Sacrament of the Altar, we believe that “it is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink” (Luther’s Small Catechism). We believe this because of Jesus’ words the night before he died when He, taking the bread, said, “Take, eat; this is my body,” and when He, taking the cup of wine, said, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28, ESV). We believe that through the means of bread and wine in which Christ joins His Word of promise, He forgives our sins and strengthens us in faith.
Communion Statement
We heartily invite Confirmed members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to receive of the Lord’s Supper. Anyone else, we ask you to see the pastor first for instruction so that you might receive the supper to your benefit rather than to your harm. As the Apostle Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, “Anyone who eats the bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in an unworthy way is guilty of sinning against the Lord’s body and blood. Anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the Lord’s body brings judgment on himself as he eats and drinks” (ESV).
To learn more about what we believe as Lutherans, read The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s belief and practice.
Zion Lutheran Church 