Lutheranism began in Germany, when Martin Luther called for reforms in the church of his day. Martin Luther was a pastor, teacher, and composer. He lived from 1483 to 1546.

• The Bible: The Bible is the Word of God that shows God in action. The Old Testament describes God’s covenant relationship with His chosen people. The New Testament is the proclamation of God’s love through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• God: Lutherans believe in the Trinity, that there is one God in the three persons of the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sanctifier (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

• Jesus Christ: Jesus is God who came in the form of a baby at Bethlehem and lived and walked among us. The death of Jesus Christ paid the price of sin for all people.

• Sin: Sin is our condition as human beings. It is our failure to live as God would have us live. We sin through our thoughts, words, and actions.

• Justification: This is the prominent position of the Lutheran church, stating that we are saved only through the grace of God in Jesus Christ, and not by our own merit.

• Repentance: We receive this free gift of grace through our sincere regretting of our sinful nature, and asking God to forgive us.

• Baptism: Baptism is a sacrament that establishes a new relationship with God as we symbolically “die” under the water of Baptism to be “reborn” as children of God. In Baptism, we are promised the forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

• The Lord’s Supper (Communion): This is a sacrament in which we receive Christ through the bread and wine. Lutherans believe in the “real presence,” that Christ is in the bread and wine, and that we receive grace when we partake of Holy Communion.
  

• Worship: The Lutheran church is a liturgical church. This means that worship typically follows a traditional form, with liturgy, candles, cross, altar, vestments, hymns, confession, proclamation of the Word, and celebration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

• Life after death: Life after death is a mystery. However, Lutherans believe that through the promise of forgiveness, life continues after the grave.

• Service: Claiming Christ as the example, the church is involved in social ministry to alleviate hunger, provide housing for the homeless, and serve the community and the world without restrictions.

• Ecumenical relationships: The Lutheran church shares a common faith with other churches around the world. The Lutheran church is also respectful of other faiths and encourages dialogue.
  

Click HERE for a more in-depth study of the Lutheran faith.