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Our Beliefs
Greetings!
When you come to St. Mark’s we want to you feel at home. Whether you are checking us out for the first time, thinking about becoming a regular attendee, or have made this your church home, you are always welcome here.
As a progressive Christian community we are an LGBTQIA+ affirming community, working towards racial and economic justice, celebrating the gifts of everyone.
Who is Jesus Christ?
The man, Jesus of Nazareth, lived and died in Palestine during the governorship of the Roman administrator Pontius Pilate; we believe him to be the Messiah chosen by God to show his love for the world. He is God, yet with all the limitations of being human. His
relationship to God, however, was not one of sin but rather of perfect obedience to the
God’s will.
What is the Church?
The Christian church is made up of those who have been baptized and thus have received Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world. Sometimes it is referred to as “the Body of Christ.” Lutherans believe that they are a part of a community of faith that began with the gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s presence with his people, on the day of Pentecost. The church is essential to Christian life and growth. Its members are all sinners in need of God’s grace. It has no claim on human perfection. The church exists solely for the hearing and doing of God’s Word.
Why a Lutheran Church?
Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles
of theology and practice espoused by Luther, such as Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura:
• We are saved by the grace of God alone — not by anything we do;
• Our salvation is through faith alone — we only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who died to redeem us;
• The Bible is the only norm of doctrine and life — the only true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged.
Another of Luther’s principles was that Scriptures and worship need to be in the language of the people. Luther’s Small Catechism, which contains teachings on the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, Holy
Communion and Morning and Evening Prayers, is still used to introduce people to the
Lutheran faith, as is the Augsburg Confession. These and other Lutheran confessional
documents included in the Book of Concord may be ordered from the ELCA Publishing.
How Do Lutherans Look upon the Bible?
To borrow a phrase from Luther, the Bible is “the manger in which the Word of God is laid.” While Lutherans recognize differences in the way the Bible should be studied and interpreted, it is accepted as the primary and authoritative witness to the church’s faith.
What Sacraments Do Lutherans Accept?
Lutherans accept two Sacraments as God-given means for penetrating the lives of people with his grace. Although they are not the only means of God’s self-revelation, Baptism and Holy Communion are visible acts of God’s love.
Do Lutherans Believe in Life After Death?
While there is much we do not and cannot know about life beyond the grave, Lutherans do believe that life with God persists even after death. Judgment is both a present and future reality, and history moves steadily towards God’s ultimate fulfillment.
This of course is a great mystery, and no description of what life may be like in any
dimension beyond history is possible. Anxiety for the future is not a mark of
faith. Christians should go about their daily tasks, trusting in God’s grace and living a life of service in his name.
What Must a Person Do to Become a Christian?
Jesus said,” Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
What Must a Person Do to Become a Lutheran?
To become a Lutheran, only Baptism and instruction in the Christian faith is required. If you are already baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, it will be necessary only to attend a membership class in a Lutheran congregation and thus signify your desire
to become a part of its community. Active members of other Lutheran congregations usually, need only to transfer their membership.
