Our Beliefs

At Bethlehem Lutheran Church, we believe, teach, and confess:

  • In the Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit
  • That the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God—the only source and norm for teaching
  • That since the fall of Adam & Eve, man is by nature sinful and therefore has earned nothing but punishment from a Holy God
  • That God, in love, sent His Son into the world to pay for the sins of all mankind and that on the cross, Jesus finished the work of Redemption
  • That on the third day Jesus bodily rose from the dead and later ascended into heaven
  • That the only way for man to receive forgiveness of sin is by faith alone in Jesus Christ
  • That faith itself is a gift of the Holy Spirit
  • That good works flow from faith, but that works do not earn or help in our salvation
  • The Holy Baptism is a miraculous means of God's grace by which infants and adults become a part of God's holy family
  • That in Holy Communion, we receive the true body and blood of Jesus in, with and under the forms of bread and wine
  • That there is but one true church consisting of all who in heart and mind and with their lips confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
  • That one day Jesus will come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, and take all believers with Him into heaven

We believe that you will find these embedded in our worship life.  Worship and teachings form and shape each other.  What we teach shapes our worship to be reverent and authentic; in awe and respect for Almighty God.  Likewise, our worship teaches, encourages, admonishes, and prepares us for living in this world and the next as we ground everything we do in the Word of God.

You can find out more of our beliefs and practices from this page on the LCMS website:  https://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=388

If you have questions regarding our congregation's beliefs, please feel free to contact us.  Eternal life is too great a gift to question or assume you have.  Out of Christian love, we want you to know that your salvation is secure in Christ Jesus!

 

Our practice concerning the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion:

  • If you desire to receive Holy Communion, but have not communed at Bethlehem before, we ask that you speak with the Pastor before the service begins.
  • Member congregations and pastors of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod believe that to receive the Lord's Supper together, we must agree in the doctrines of the Christian faith. Not every Christian church body considers such doctrinal unity to be necessary, but we ask your kindness in respecting our Communion practice (closed communion).
  • Please know that our Communion practice does not mean that we are judging any individual Christian's faith or salvation. We rejoice at the faith of all who belong to our Lord's church and are glad that you are visiting with us. If you have questions, our Pastor will be pleased to discuss this in detail with you.  You may download this document on Fellowship in the Lord's Supper for your own reading.