What Makes Us Lutheran?
Lutherans are Christians and share core universal beliefs of the Christian Church, including worship of one God, revealed in three distinct persons. This is also known as the Holy Trinity. The persons of the Holy Trinity are witnessed as follows:
• 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;
• the Holy Spirit, who inspires faith through God’s Word and Sacraments.
• Grace Alone (Sola Gratia): Salvation is a free gift from the grace of God and cannot be earned through good deeds.
• Faith Alone (Sola Fide): People receive this free gift through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
• Word Alone (Sola Scriptura): The Bible, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ in particular, is the ultimate authority and norm for the Christian life.
• Christ Alone (Solus Christus): Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, without needing any other mediator.
• Law and Gospel: Also known as “Command and Promise”, our understanding of scripture sees God’s commandments working to show us human sinfulness, and God’s promises which offer forgiveness through Christ.
• Good Works: Good works are not necessary for salvation, but are the natural result of faith and joy in the promises of God.
Core Beliefs
A fuller confession of this faith in God as Holy Trinity can be found in the traditional creeds of the Christian Church
Our name “Lutheran” is tied to the 16th-century church reformer, Martin Luther. During his time, Luther witnessed a church that had strayed from its roots in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sought to reform it through faith and practice, with the following teachings being the most prominent:
Distinct Practices
• Two Sacraments: Lutherans recognize Holy Baptism and the Eucharist (Lord's Supper) as means through which God actively delivers grace and forgiveness.
• Simultaneously Saint and Sinner (Simul justus et peccator): Believers honestly acknowledge their human struggles while trusting completely in God's forgiveness.
• Vocation: Daily work in ordinary roles—such as parenting, working, or being a citizen—is viewed as sacred service to others.