We Believe

We Believe, Teach, and Confess

According to Holy Scripture, and in the unity of the one, holy Christian faith, we believe, teach, and confess that

The one and only God is the Triune God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-as revealed by Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of the Father, and His prophets, apostles, and evangelists in the Holy Scriptures (Mt. 28:20)

Every human being is created by God and is precious to Him.  Each person is also born sinful, without fear, love, or trust in God and is lacking in the ability or will to turn toward God, and so would face eternal death and damnation (Eph. 2:1-10; Ps. 51:5) had Christ not come to save humanity.

Jesus Christ is true God, eternally begotten of the Father, and at the same time true man, born of the Virgin Mary, and is the only Savior from sin and the only Mediator between God and humanity (Jn. 1:1-3, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1Jn. 5:20; Acts 4:12)-.....who, by His perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross, has won the entire forgiveness of sins and eternal life for every human being, from the beginning to the end of the world (Rom. 3:21-26; Gal. 4:4-5; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Jn. 2:2);.....who rose bodily from the dead on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3-5); and .....who now reigns at the right hand of God as Lord over all (Eph. 4:10-12).

We are justified, or declared not guilty, in the sight of God and rescued from sin, death, and damnation not by our works but solely by God's undeserved kindness, His grace given as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ, whose perfect life and sacrificial death as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" fully atone for our sins (Rom. 3:21-28; Eph 2:8; John 1:29).

The blessings and benefits of Jesus' saving death and resurrection, namely the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation, are offered, delivered, and applied to us by means of the Gospel in all its forms (the preached and written Word, Holy Baptism, Absolution, Lord's Supper), through which the Holy Spirit works faith in Christ.  To this end Christ has instituted the Office of the Ministry and sends pastors to preach and administer the holy sacraments in His stead and Name (Jn. 6:63; 16:12-15; Lk. 24:47; Mt. 28:19; Jn. 20:21-23; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).

Good works, prayer, and holiness of life are the fruit of faith in Christ, not the cause of faith or salvation (Jn. 15:5; Heb. 11:16).

The Church is present wherever believers are gathered around Jesus Christ and His gifts, that is, wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is purely preached and taught, and Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, Holy Communion are administered according to Christ's mandate and institution, even though unbelievers or hypocrites may be numbered among those gathered (Mt. 18:20; Acts 2:42; Mt. 13:47-48).

Holy Baptism, which is water applied in the Name of the Triune God according to Jesus' mandate and promise, works rebirth and renewal, delivers and applies the forgiveness of sins, joins the baptized to Jesus' death and resurrection, and grants eternal life and salvation to all who believe the promise of salvation attached to Baptism (Mt 28:19-20; Jn. 3:5; Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:25-26; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:11-12; 1 Peter 3:21).

Holy Absolution, which is the forgiveness of sins spoken by the Pastor to a penitent sinner in Jesus' Name, actually offers, delivers, and applies the forgiveness of sins to the repentant person with the authority of the crucified, risen, and reigning Christ (Mt. 16:19; 18:18; Jn. 20:21-23).  The word of forgiveness in Holy Absolution is to be heard as Christ our dear Lord speaking to us Himself (Luke 10:16).

Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given under bread and wine, for Christians to eat and drink, instituted by Jesus Christ Himself, for the forgiveness of their sins (Mt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).

The Christian life is one of continual repentance and faith, from which flow good works as the fruit of faith (Mt. 12:33; Lk. 24:47).

Our Lord Jesus Christ will appear visibly on the Last Day to raise the bodies of all the dead, to condemn those who reject Him in unbelief together with the devil and his demons to hell and eternal punishment, and to give eternal life to all who trust in Jesus for forgiveness, life, and salvation (Rev. 1:7; Mt.25:31-46; Jn 5:28-29).

Holy Scripture, or the Holy Bible, is the written Word of God, is the very "breath of God" and so is without factual error and is the only source and final authority and judge of all teaching, practice, and life.  Holy Scripture preaches the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the repentance and faith of the sinner (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:22; Luke 24:47).

The Word of God is a two-fold Word -(1) the Law, which reveals our sins and seeks and kills the sinner, and (2) the Gospel, which announces, offers, delivers, and applies the forgiveness of sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, creates faith in Him, and gives new life and identity to the believer in Christ (Rom. 1:16; 3:21-22; Gal. 2:19-20).

Baptism

About you Baptism

As Lutherans, we believe Holy Baptism is essential to our lives as Christians.  Christ commanded baptism: 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. (Matthew 28:19). In Holy Baptism, the Lord promises you the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit; Baptism is a gift to us from God.  In his Small Catechism, Martin Luther provided a concise explanation for us: It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. (SC, Baptism, Second Part)

Holy Baptism is a sacrament because Christ established it and invited us to do it and because it delivers the forgiveness of sins Jesus won at the cross.  Jesus suffered, died, and rose again in order to save people from the eternal death brought about by sin.  Through His saving actions, Christ purchased and won salvation for all.  Baptism delivers and bestows the benefits of Jesus’ redemption.

If you would like to learn more about Holy Baptism or if you would like to schedule a baptism please speak to our Pastor or an Elder

Membership

Become a member

We invite you to consider becoming a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. We know that your life and the life of our church will be richer if you do. Membership in a church is about discipleship. It is about being a faithful follower of Christ. At Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (LCMS), we want to help all of our members and prospective members become followers of Christ.

We are a traditional Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. We believe each human is created male and female at conception, and marriage is between a man and a woman.

Contact us for more information about joining Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Starke.