Our Beliefs

God

The Almighty King who rules over all the universe. God exists eternally as three co-equal persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, never-changing, completely trustworthy, and holy. He is our loving Father who is faithful to his people and his promises.

Genesis 1:1 :: Genesis 1:26-27 :: Genesis 3:22 :: Psalm 90:2 :: Matthew 28:19 :: 1 Peter 1:2 :: 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus Christ

The Son of God, came to earth and lived a perfect life. He was crucified on a cross, dying in our place for our sins so that we may be reconciled with God. Three days later He rose from the dead proving His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven, is sitting on the throne of God ruling over all creation and will come again to create a new heaven and earth.

Matthew 1:22-23 :: Isaiah 9:6 :: John 1:1-5 :: John 14:10-30 :: Hebrews 4:14-15 :: 1 Corinthians 14:3-4 :: Romans 1:3-4 :: Acts 1:9-11 :: 1 Timothy 6:14-15 :: Titus 2:13

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He brings us into a relationship with God by giving us faith, and lives in every believer from the moment of salvation. God also promises to give us His Spirit when we are baptized. The Holy Spirit provides the Christian with understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. He is our encourager, advocate and convicter of sin leading us into a lifestyle of repentance.

2 Corinthians 3:17 :: John 16:7-13 :: John 14:16-17 :: Acts 1:8 :: 1 Corinthians 2:12 :: 1 Corinthians 3:16 :: Ephesians 1:13 :: Galatians 5:25 :: Ephesians 5:18

The Trinity

God exists as one being in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority. God is an eternal community of perfect love!

Deuteronomy 6:4 :: Matthew 28:19 :: Isaiah 61:1 :: Mark 1:9-11 :: Luke 1:35 :: John 5:21-23 :: John 14:10 :: John 14:16 :: Romans 8:9-11 :: 1 Corinthians 8:6 :: 2 Corinthians 13:14 :: Hebrews 1:8-10 :: James 2:19

Humanity

Humankind was made in the image of God, created to be in a perfect relationship with him. Humanity was given a choice to trust in God but instead chose to live on their own terms. We became alienated from him through our own disobedience, which the Bible calls sin. We are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through our own efforts, which is why God sent his Son Jesus to take the penalty for our sin so that we may be reconciled with God.

Genesis 1:27 :: Psalm 8:3-6 :: Isaiah 53:6 :: Romans 3:23 :: Colossians 1:21 :: Isaiah 59:1-2 :: Genesis 1:26-30 :: Genesis 2:7 :: Genesis 2:18-22 :: Psalm 8:3-6 :: Psalm 32:1-5 :: Psalm 51:5 :: Isaiah 6:5 :: Jeremiah 17:5 :: Acts 17:26-31 :: Romans 1:19-32 :: Romans 3:10-18 :: Romans 3:23 :: Romans 5:6 :: Romans 6:6 :: Romans 7:14-25 :: 1 Corinthians 1:21-31 :: 1 Corinthians 15:19 :: 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 :: Ephesians 2 :: Colossians 1:21-22 :: Colossians 3:9-11

Salvation

The Church is made up of a community of believers who are unified through faith in Jesus Christ. The Church is committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ, which are found in the Bible. Members of the Church seek to share the hope of Christ to the world through love, good deeds, and the message of the Gospel.

Matthew 16:18-19 :: Matthew 18:15-20 :: Acts 2:41-47 :: Acts 5:11-14 :: Acts 13:1-3 :: Acts 14:23 :: Acts 16:5 :: Acts 20:28 :: 1 Corinthians 7:17 :: 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 :: 1 Corinthians 12 :: Ephesians 5:22-32 :: Colossians 1:18 :: Colossians 3:15 :: 1 Timothy 4:14 :: 1 Peter 5:1-4 :: Revelation 21:2-3

The Church

The Church is made up of a community of believers who are unified through faith in Jesus Christ. The Church is committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ, which are found in the Bible. Members of the Church seek to share the hope of Christ to the world through love, good deeds, and the message of the Gospel.

Matthew 16:18-19 :: Matthew 18:15-20 :: Acts 2:41-47 :: Acts 5:11-14 :: Acts 13:1-3 :: Acts 14:23 :: Acts 16:5 :: Acts 20:28 :: 1 Corinthians 7:17 :: 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 :: 1 Corinthians 12 :: Ephesians 5:22-32 :: Colossians 1:18 :: Colossians 3:15 :: 1 Timothy 4:14 :: 1 Peter 5:1-4 :: Revelation 21:2-3

Baptism

Also known as born-again, a second birth, the creation of a brand-new life begun in Christ. Baptism is all about what God is doing in our life and celebrates the saving faith God gives to His people. God also promises through baptism to seal us as sons and daughters, forgive our sins and anoint us with the Holy Spirit. It’s not just plain water, but water fused with the Word of God.

We believe the gift of baptism is intended for all ages- including infants. Baptism is for both members and non-members of St. Paul. Non-members are asked to meet with a pastor before baptism takes place.

Matthew 28:19-20 :: Acts 2:38-39 :: Acts 2:41 :: Mark 10:13-15 :: John 3:5-6 :: Acts 22:16 :: Romans 6:3, 5 :: Galatians 3:27 :: Mark 16:16 :: 1 Peter 3:21 :: Titus 3:5

Lord’s Supper (Communion)

In communion we receive the true body and blood of Jesus Christ as the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins. It is a free gift from God for the strengthening of our soul, flesh and mind, and is offered to all who share in this belief.

Lutherans practice what has been called “close” or “closed” communion. That is, it is for Christians who share our faith. For those who don’t yet believe Jesus is their savior, or don’t believe you are a sinner in need of God’s grace, or don’t believe that His body and blood are present with the bread and wine, we invite you to come up and receive a blessing from the pastor by crossing your arms over your chest. And please do set up a time to talk with a pastor to learn about communion and receiving this wonderful gift!

Matthew 26:26-28 :: 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 :: 1 Corinthians 10:16 :: 1 Corinthians 11:27, 29

The Bible

The Bible is the inspired, inerrant word of God. Inspired means that the Holy Spirit worked through many humans who each wrote with their own style, vocabulary, and personality. But while there are many writers, there is only one Author – our perfect God who wanted to reveal His plan for salvation. Therefore, since our perfect God authored the Bible, it is inerrant (without error). It contains the Law, which shows us God’s design for us (and inevitably reveals where we fall short) and the Gospel, which shows us God’s design for our salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

2 Timothy 3:16 :: 2 Peter 1:21 :: Hebrews 4:12-13

Denomination

St. Paul is part of denomination called the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS).  In short, Lutherans believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that He deals with us on the basis of both Law and Gospel.  God delivers the Gospel of Jesus Christ through His Word and the Sacraments (God’s promises joined with a physical element).  The most detailed and historical explanation of what Lutherans believe are confessional writings found in the Book of Concord which were born out of the Reformation in the 1500s.