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Statement of faith

  1. We believe, teach, and confess that the canonical books of the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, are the only verbally inspired and only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God, fully sufficient for all of faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21. See FC Rule and Norm.)

  2. We accept without reservation the confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as found in the Book of Concord, as the true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God. (Matt. 10:32-33, 1 Tim. 1:13, John 3:31-32. See the Preface to BOC.22-24.) The following articles are a summary of the main points of our doctrine. (References are to Holy Scriptures and the Book of Concord.)

Articles of Doctrine:

  1. We believe, teach, and confess that there is only one divine substance (essence), which is named and is God and three distinct and co-eternal Persons of this one divine essence: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity). (Deut. 6:4, 1 Cor. 8:4; Matt. 3:16-17, Matt. 28:19, 2 Cor.13:14, Gal. 4:6. See AC I)

  2. We believe, teach, and confess that since the fall of Adam all who are born according to the course of nature are conceived and born in sin, so that they are unable by nature to have true fear of God and true faith in God; and this inborn sickness and hereditary sin is truly sin and condemns to the eternal wrath of God all those who are not born again through Baptism and the Holy Spirit. (Ps. 51:5, Rom. 5:12-14, Eph. 2:1-3, Rom. 8:7, Gen. 8:21, 1 Cor. 2:14, Matt. 15:19. See AC II)

  3. We believe, teach, and confess that Jesus Christ is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary; that He lived a sinless life, did His miracles, shed His blood in His vicarious and atoning death, rose from the dead in the same body that was crucified, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will personally return in power and glory to judge both the living and the dead. (Is. 7:14, Matt. 1:20-25, Luke 1:31-35, John 1:1-18; Heb. 4:15, John 20:30-31, Heb. 2:17, Heb. 9:12, 2 Cor. 5:19-21, Acts 10:40-41, Acts 1:9-11, Matt. 25:31-32 See AC III)

  4. We believe, teach, and confess that we receive forgiveness of sin and become righteous before God by grace, for Christ's sake, through faith in Him, apart from any merit, works, or decision of our own, when we believe that Christ suffered for us and that for His sake our sin is forgiven. (Rom. 3:21-26, Rom. 4:3-5, John 3:16-19, Eph. 2:8-10. See AC IV.)

  5. We believe, teach, and confess that we cannot obtain this saving faith by our own reason or strength; therefore, God has instituted the preaching ministry, that is, He has given the Gospel and sacraments, so that through these the Holy Spirit works faith when and where He pleases in those who hear the Gospel. (Rom 10:14-17, 1 Peter 1:23, Titus 3:5, John 20:21-23, Matt. 26:27-28. See AC V.)

  6. We believe, teach, and confess that this saving faith is bound to bring forth the good fruits of a Godly life, and that it is necessary to do the good works commanded by God. (Ps. 51:10, Rom. 8:9, 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 5:22-23, Eph. 2:10, Eph. 5:18-20. See AC VI.)

  7. We believe, teach, and confess that there is one holy Christian and Apostolic church, which is the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel; it is enough for the true unity of the Church that the Gospel be preached in conformity with a pure understanding of it and that the sacraments be administered in accordance with the divine Word. Eph. 4:4-6, John 8:31-32, 1 Cor. 1:10, Acts 2:42, 1 Cor. 12:12-13, Gal. 3:26-28, 1 Cor. 10:16-17. See AC VII & VIII.)

  8. We believe, teach, and confess that Baptism is necessary, that grace is offered through Baptism, and that infants and children should also be baptized, for in Baptism they are offered to God and become acceptable to Him. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2: 38-39; Mark 10:13-15; John 3:5-6; Matt. 18:6; Rom(. 6:3-5; 1 Pet. 3:21. See AC IX.)

  9. We believe, teach, and confess that the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper are really the true body and blood of Christ, which are there distributed and received by all who commune. (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1Cor 10:16)

  10. We believe, teach, and confess that God created the world from nothing by His Word in six natural days (Gen. 1:1-2:4, Ps. 33:6, Heb. 11:3, 2 Peter 3:5-6; 1 Tim. 6:20-21); that He created man as male and female and blessed them with marriage and family (Gen. 1:26-31, 2:18-25; Eph. 5:22-6:4) ; that He will raise the bodies of the saved and the lost in the resurrection, those who are saved unto eternal life and those who are lost to eternal damnation (John 5:28-29).

Mount Hope Lutheran Church and School