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Here
We
Stand!
+ + + + + +
The Biblical Beliefs of
The Orthodox Lutheran Church
2
“Since then your serene majesty and your lordships seek a simple answer, I will give it in this manner,
neither horned nor toothed: Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason, for I do not trust either in the Pope or in Councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves, I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor
right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help
me. Amen.”
-‐‑ Luther, appearing before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, and his nobles, at Vorms in Germany, April 18th, 1521.
The Orthodox Lutheran Church follows the example of our namesake, Martin Luther. What is written in this Statement of Beliefs is exactly what we believe and teach, based only on the clear words of Holy Scripture. Thus,
Here We Stand!
We cannot and will not do otherwise!
God IS with us! Amen.
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Stand #1: God Is Real
a.) There is only one true God (Isaiah 44:6). He has made Himself known as the “Triune” God, one God in three Persons. This is clear from Jesus’ command to His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
b.) Whoever does not worship the Triune God worships a false god, a god who does not exist. All the other so-‐‑called “gods” of other religions are nothing more than worthless idols.
c.) The one true God has revealed Himself in nature. “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1, see also Romans 1:20). There is no excuse for being an atheist.
d.) The consciences of people also bear witness that there is a God to Whom they are accountable (Romans 2:15).
e.) Nature and conscience present only a partial revelation of God, and one that is not able to show the way to heaven.
f.) God has given the full revelation of Himself in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus, God has revealed Himself as the Savior-‐‑God, Who “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
g.) This is the only God that exists, the only God that lives, the only God that rules, the only God that saves!
Here we stand!
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Stand #2: The Bible Is God’s Word
a.) The One True Triune God has revealed Himself to all people of all time in the sixty-‐‑six Books of Holy Scripture, which we call the Bible.
b.) The Bible has two main teachings, the Law and the Gospel. The Law tells us what is right and wrong, and it proclaims God’s anger over sin. The Gospel tells us about the love of God in Jesus Christ, and how we can go to heaven.
c.) Jesus Christ is the focus of the entire Bible. Throughout the Old Testament, God promised a Redeemer from sin, death, and hell. Jesus Himself says about the Old Testament, “. . . it is these that testify about Me” (John 5:39). In the New Testament we see that this Savior has come in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
d.) God gave us the Bible through people He chose, using the language they knew and the words they were used to. He used Moses, the prophets, and others to give us the Old Testament in Hebrew and Aramaic, and the Evangelists and Apostles to give us the New Testament in Greek.
e.) God the Holy Spirit worked in these people to give us the Bible. Thus, “men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (Second Peter 1:21). What they said was spoken “not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit” (First Corinthians 2:13). Therefore, every thought they expressed, and every word they used, were given to them in a miraculous way by God. Saint Paul says, “All Scripture is inspired by God” (Second Timothy 3:16).
f.) The Bible, and only the Bible, gives us the true words of God. It is the only reliable source of correct spiritual knowledge.
Here we stand.
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Stand #3: The Bible Is True
a.) The Christian Scriptures are true and without error in everything they say, for our Savior said, “The Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35), and "ʺYour Word is truth."ʺ (John 17:17) Thus, the Bible is the only infallible authority for everything we believe, say, and do. b.) The Bible also teaches people all they need to know to get to heaven. It gives them “wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (Second Timothy 3:15), and it guides them in “every good work” (Second Timothy 3:17).
c.) Since all of God’s plan of salvation can be found only in the Bible, no other “revelations” are needed (Hebrews 1:1,2). All other so-‐‑called holy books, such as the Quran and Book of Mormon, are false.
d.) We accept as factual history whatever God presents as history, and understand figures of speech when they are used. Above all, Scripture must interpret Scripture. Simple, clear passages are always used to interpret those that are more difficult. No interpretation, no matter how intelligent or logical, may ever contradict the Bible. True believers never presume to teach God or correct His perfect Word!
e.) Only the original texts of the Old Testament and New Testament are the inspired Word of God in the fullest sense, and only translations that accurately give the true meaning of the original texts can also properly be called the Word of God.
f.) The original texts of the Bible are no longer available, but the Lord in His power and wisdom has preserved the words of these texts through thousands of carefully hand-‐‑copied manuscripts. Although there are a few minor differences between these manuscripts, these variations do not cause any changes in historic Christian doctrine.
Here we stand!
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Stand #4: The Bible Alone Gives Us All Our Teachings
a.) There are many false teachings in some churches that call themselves “Christian.” All preaching and teaching in our church must be in complete harmony with God’s perfect and infallible Word, the Bible.
b.) Our beliefs also match the historic professions of Biblical faith. These are the three universal creeds of the church; the Apostles’, the Nicene, and the Athanasian, and also the Lutheran Confessions contained in the Book of Concord of 1580. These creeds and confessions have been proven to contain only the true teachings of Scripture. Therefore, they can be used to explain and defend the Biblical teachings of the true Christian church. We also totally reject each and every error that they list as being false and dangerous to saving faith.
c.) The Bible teaches that any worship not directed to the one true Triune God is blasphemous idolatry. All religions and all worship do NOT lead to the same God! Also, the use of feminine names and pronouns for God is simply wrong and foolish, because in the Bible God reveals Himself as our "ʺFather"ʺ and His "ʺSon."ʺ
d.) Some teach that only part of Scripture is God’s Word, and they even proclaim that there are factual errors in the Bible, not just in historical or geographical details, but also in the facts surrounding the life and ministry of our Savior. But we proclaim that Scripture is NOT merely a human record of God’s revelation. Therefore, the Bible most certainly does NOT contain any errors of any kind on any subject, or any other human imperfections, period!
Here we stand!
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Stand #5: God Is Our Creator
a.) The entire universe was brought into existence before the beginning of time when God created all things out of nothing only by the power of His almighty Word. (Genesis 1, 2.) The whole creation took place during six normal days, not over long periods of time.
b.) The Bible presents a true and factual account of creation. The truth of this miracle is supported by many other passages of the Bible (Exodus 20:11, Hebrews 11:3). Jesus Christ Himself testified to the truth of this teaching many times during His ministry. (Matthew 19:4)
c.) Many today teach that the first chapters of Genesis are a collection of myths, fables, and parables, and are not reliable historical accounts. However, denial of Creation is the same as calling Jesus a liar, and a dangerous and potentially soul-‐‑destroying rejection of Christ, and one of the fundamental truths of Scripture.
d.) Any and all theories of macro-‐‑evolution, including those called “theistic evolution,” or attempts to combine the Biblical account of creation with the theory of evolution, are to be totally rejected by all true believing Christians as an explanation of the origin of the universe and humanity.
e.) Mankind is the crown of God’s creation, and only human beings have immortal souls and are accountable to God. The LORD continues His work in the world every day by providing for the earthly needs of all people only by His grace (Psalm 145: 15,16). And he protects and preserves believers by keeping them from harm (Psalm 121:7), or by making it serve their eternal good (Romans 8:28).
f.) He allows humans to take part in His work by giving them the ability to rule over creation (Genesis 1:28), and the responsibility to use and care for it properly (Genesis 2:15).
Here we stand!
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Stand #6: We Are Sinners From Conception
a.) During creation God made a huge army of perfect and very powerful angels. At some point after creation, a large group of these angels attacked their Creator. They were led by Lucifer, the Angel of Light, also called Satan or the devil (Second Peter 2:4). These forces were defeated by God and His holy angels and thrown out of heaven. Since that time, these evil but still powerful angels have continued to attack God and His children (First Peter 5:8). This is the ultimate origin of all sin and evil in the universe.
b.) Moses tells us that God created Adam and Eve in His own “image” (Genesis 1:26,27). This was not a reference to what God looked like, since He is a spirit. Rather, this means that they were totally holy and righteous, so that all their thoughts and actions were in complete agreement with God (Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24).
c.) Adam and Eve lost their perfect agreement with God when they willfully disobeyed Him. This act brought God’s anger upon them and all their descendants (Genesis 2:17). The very instant they sinned, Adam and Eve were spiritually separated from their Lord, and they began to die physically. d.) Every single human being, with the exception of Jesus Christ, is conceived as a sinner (Psalm 51:5), and inclined to do only evil all the time (Genesis 8:21). Because all people are sinners by nature (Ephesians 2:1), it is totally impossible for them to come to God by their own decision, or to make up for their sins by their own works.
e.) People are most certainly NOT basically good by nature. This desire for evil is not mere weakness. The Bible teaches the total spiritual and moral depravity of each and every human individual, and their complete inability to please God in any way, without His help (Romans 3:9-‐‑18).
Here we stand!
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Stand #7: Jesus Christ Is God
a.) Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Second member of the Holy Trinity, perfectly united with the Father and the Holy Spirit throughout all eternity (John 1:1,2).
b.) When the time was just right, the Father sent Christ to earth. Jesus was conceived in the Blessed Virgin, Mary, as a perfect, holy child by a miracle of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 4:4, Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:20). He is 100% true God and 100% true man inseparably united in one person, the God-‐‑man. He is called Immanuel, which means, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
c.) While on earth Jesus Christ always possessed the full powers of His divinity (Colossians 2:9). He often showed these powers when He performed miracles (John 2:11).
d.) During most of His life here, He lived in a state of humility by not making use of His divine power, but lived as a simple man among mankind. He grew, learned, ate, drank, slept, laughed, and cried. He endured suffering, pain, hunger, thirst, weariness, sadness, and rejection. He experienced a painful, agonizing, and terrible death on the cross (Philippians 2:7,8).
e.) Christ was brought to life in His tomb by His Father and descended into hell to proclaim his victory over Satan (First Peter 3:18,19). He then came out of the grave with a glorified body and showed Himself to hundreds of His followers. He ascended back into heaven, and is now ruling over this world with power, and over His Church with grace (Philippians 2:9-‐‑11).
f.) The Gospel records of Jesus’ life are NOT pious stories invented by the early Church, but factual and historical accounts. All the events of Christ’s life are important to saving faith and must be believed.
Here we stand!
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Stand #8: Jesus Christ Paid For The Sin Of All People
a.) The Bible teaches that every single sin of every single person who has lived, is living, or ever will live, is completely and totally paid for through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross, for “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
b.) No one can earn God’s forgiveness through anything that they do (Ephesians 2:8,9). People receive all the benefits of Jesus’ death simply by believing that God freely and completely forgives them their sins for the sake of Christ'ʹs perfect righteousness and sacrificial death. Thus, they are "ʺsaved,"ʺ that is, God does not see their sins, but only Christ’s righteousness, and therefore welcomes them into the Kingdom of heaven.
c.) The Bible teaches that God “justifies,” that is, declares all sinners totally holy and righteous in His sight, only through their faith in Christ’s sacrifice. This is the “Gospel,” the Good News of salvation by grace alone through faith!
d.) This is saving faith: knowledge of and trust in Jesus Christ, His Word and His work. And this belief saves only because of the plan of salvation prepared by God and carried out by Christ, which it holds as absolute truth (Romans 3:28; 4:5).
e.) Though Jesus died for all people, the Bible also teaches that “he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Therefore, all who do not trust in God to forgive them only because Jesus died for their sins do not receive any of the benefits of His death (John 8:24). They are “lost” to hell; condemned to guilt and pain forever.
Here we stand!
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Stand #9: We Are Elected To Heaven
a.) Before the universe began, God in His grace looked into time and selected the actual individuals that He would bring to saving faith through the work of the Holy Spirit. These were "ʺelected"ʺ for heaven.
b.) God now works out all things in the universe in order to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to these individuals, and create saving faith in their hearts. He does whatever is necessary to preserve them in this one true faith throughout their earthly lives so that they receive the gift of eternal life in heaven (Ephesians 1:4-‐‑6; Romans 8:29,30).
c.) We call this Biblical truth “predestination to salvation.” This action by God was not caused by anything God saw in these individuals in their futures, such as some being less resistant to God’s grace than others. Neither did He choose them because He saw that they would, through something within themselves, come to faith.
d.) This teaching of the Bible only shows once again how completely salvation is by God’s grace alone (Romans 11:5,6), and NOT by anything people think, say, or do.
e.) We absolutely deny and reject the horrible and offensive teaching of “predestination to damnation.” There is nothing anywhere in the Bible that would support this terrible doctrine. The very idea that those who end up in hell were predestined for damnation by the LORD, is not only false and unscriptural, but actually a sinful and blasphemous accusation against the perfect love and grace of God.
f.) The Bible teaches that God desires that all people come to faith and live forever with Him in heaven (First Timothy 2:4; Second Peter 3:9). The fact that so many will not be in heaven is due only to their own foolish unbelief.
Here we stand!
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Stand #10: There Is Only One Way To Receive Eternal Life In Heaven
a.) Death equals separation. Physical death is separation from the physical blessings of God. This happens when the soul leaves the human body. This is simply a basic consequence of sin, and will happen to all people, believers and unbelievers alike, up until Christ’s return. This separation is only temporary.
b.) Spiritual death is separation from the spiritual blessings of God. This separation happens only to unbelievers, and can take place even before physical death. After death it is permanent, continuing in hell for all eternity.
c.) At the exact instant of death, the souls of those who believe in Jesus of Nazareth as God, Lord, and Savior will go immediately to be with God in the eternal joys of heaven, only because of their God-‐‑given faith in the work and merits of Jesus Christ as Messiah (Luke 23:43).
d.) The souls of those who do not believe the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will go instantly into the misery of hell forever (Luke 16:22-‐‑24). Hell is a real place, and someplace to be avoided at all costs! There is no such place as "ʺPurgatory."ʺ
e.) The belief that all people will eventually get to heaven in some way, including those who reject the essentials of saving faith, is plainly false and wrong (John 3:36). The Bible is extremely clear on this point: there are NO other ways to eternal life in heaven besides faith in the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, and all that this faith must include (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
f.) The thinking of many that it doesn’t matter what anyone believes as long as they have faith in some kind of “god,” or lives a “good life,” is not only unscriptural, incorrect, and dangerous, but also damnable!
Here we stand!
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Stand #11: Jesus Christ Will Return On The Last Day
a.) Jesus Christ is always near His children on earth with His invisible presence. On the Last Day He will return visibly to earth with great power and glory, not in lowly humility as a servant, but as the almighty King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Acts 1:11).
b.) Christ'ʹs appearance will mark the end of time and of this present world and the beginning of a new, wonderful, and perfect existence. (Second Peter 3:13).
c.) At the Last Day, all those who have previously died will be made alive again first (John 5:28,29). All these and all who are still alive at the time of Jesus’ return will then appear before God’s Judgment Throne. All who rejected Jesus Christ and His Gospel during their earthly lives will be condemned to the everlasting torment of hell, along with Satan and all his evil angels. All who by the working of the Holy Spirit possessed faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, will enter eternal life and will dwell in the perfect joy and bliss of paradise in heaven with God forever and ever (Philippians 3:21).
d.) There will be no “second chances,” for anyone. The souls of the dead do not return to earth in other bodies, for “reincarnation” in order to somehow earn salvation (Hebrews 9:27).
e.) Only God the Father knows the exact day and moment that Christ will come again. Neither the angels in heaven, nor even Jesus Himself has this knowledge (Matthew 24:36).
f.) Christ has given us a number of clear signs of the Last Day so that we can be properly prepared for His imminent return (Matthew 24:4-‐‑14). Christ does not want His believers to be taken by surprise by His Second Coming, but wants us to be aware of the times, and to watch carefully for His appearance (Luke 21:34). He is coming – and soon!
Here we stand!
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Stand #12: God Tells All We Need To Know About The Last Day
a.) God’s Word is clear; the Last Day – Judgment Day – will indeed happen someday. Many people deny that this world as we know it will come to an end. They interpret the clear Biblical descriptions of the Last Day only as symbolic of events that might take place.
b.) There are many false teachings concerning the Last Day. These errors occur because people cannot be satisfied with the limited information God gives in His Word. They try to discover hidden meanings in the words of Scripture about the end of this world.
c.) The most prominent false teaching about the Last Day is called “Millennialism.” This is the idea that Jesus will physically rule the world from the actual earthly city of Jerusalem for a thousand years. This belief, however, has absolutely no backing anywhere in the Bible. Indeed, it wrongly encourages believers to look forward to a mere earthly kingdom of Christ (John 18:36).
d.) One of the unscriptural claims of Millennialism is that all “real” believers will at some point before, during, or after this thousand years be miraculously removed, or “raptured,” from the earth. Once again, there is not a single shred of Scriptural support for this.
e.) Another claim of this ancient heresy is the belief that all those of the Jewish race will somehow miraculously be converted to saving faith in Jesus sometime during the days leading to the final judgment. The Bible does not teach this either.
f.) Finally, Millennialists expect one single evil individual to assume a great deal of power during the End Times and be revealed as The Great Antichrist. But a close study of the Bible shows that this person was already revealed centuries ago (Second Thessalonians 2:4-‐‑10).
Here we stand!
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Stand #13: The Antichrist Is Revealed In The Bible
a.) The Bible says that all people are either for or against Christ, thus the terms, “pro” or “anti” Christ (Matt. 12:30; Mark 9:40; Luke 11:23).
b.) The prefix “anti” also means “in place of.” Therefore, an “antichrist” can be a person or institution that openly opposes Jesus Christ and His Gospel, but can also be someone or something that seeks to take His place or change His plan of salvation. c.) One of these is referred to in the Bible as THE Antichrist (First John 2:18; Second Thessalonians 2:1-‐‑12; and Revelation 17). The signs of this Antichrist are listed especially in the Second Thessalonians passages: he exists within the visible church, he is exalted and even worshipped, he proclaims himself to be equal with God, he is able to perform miraculous signs, his outward holiness fools many people, he promulgates cruel false doctrines, and he will remain until the return of Christ on the Last Day.
d.) When we look at history, only one institution fits this description. It opposes the pure Gospel of Christ, that is, justification by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ (Canon 9 of the Council of Trent, 1547); it claims to be the final authority on earth over both church and state (“Unam Sanctum,” 1303); it even demands obedience to it for the salvation of souls, (“Unam Sanctum,” bluntly states, “It is necessary to salvation that every person should submit” to this institution); and it claims infallibility in decreeing all articles of faith (Vatican I, 1870).
e.) The conclusion is inescapable – the Office of the Roman Pontiff is the Antichrist spoken of in the Bible. This does not mean that any particular Pope is the Antichrist, or even an antichrist in the wider sense of the term, or that these men could not be true believers and thus saved. Still, the Bible and facts of history do not lie – the Roman Papacy is The Very Antichrist of Holy Scripture.
Here we stand.
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Stand #14: We Are Saved By Grace Through Faith
a.) Grace is God’s undeserved love and kindness for all people. Because of His love, God gives people the faith they need to be saved. This faith is totally a gift of God. People do nothing to earn it in any way (Ephesians 2:8,9).
b.) The Bible teaches clearly that no one can produce saving faith in their own hearts, because “a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them” (First Corinthians 2:14). In fact, “the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God” (Romans 8:7). Thus, it is impossible for anyone to “make a decision” for Christ (John 15:16).
c.) Whenever any person is given God’s free gift of faith, he is “born again,” (John 3:3) or “converted,” that is, his status before God is changed from sinner to saint.
d.) The Holy Spirit alone gives people the ability to believe “Jesus is Lord” (First Corinthians 12:3). He creates this faith through the gospel (Romans 10:17) in Word and Sacraments. Therefore, every believer’s conversion is totally due to the work of God.
e.) Whenever someone rejects the Gospel, they do so absolutely on their own. Thus, damnation is entirely the fault of each and every individual unbeliever (Matthew 23:37).
f.) Some teach that believers can never lose their saving faith, but the Bible clearly says it is indeed possible for people to become unbelievers, and thus fall out of God’s grace (First Corinthians 10:12). This makes it very important to stay close to God’s Word and Sacraments, the only saving Means of Grace!
Here we stand!
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Stand #15: God Gives His Grace In Visible Ways
a.) It is only through the Gospel that the Holy Spirit creates saving faith in people. Otherwise people are total enemies of God by nature (First Peter 1:23). The Bible teaches that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). The message of God’s amazing grace cannot be found anywhere else but the Gospel contained in the Holy Scriptures. Those same Scriptures teach us that the Holy Spirit does not and will not work in any other way except through specific methods set up by God.
b.) Thus, the LORD creates and strengthens saving faith through special acts, which He instructs believers to carry out in His name. Since these actions give the underserved love and kindness of God in His Gospel to His children they are called “Means of Grace.”
c.) There are at least four means, or ways to receive the Gospel: through hearing or reading the Word of God; through Baptism; through the Lord'ʹs Supper; and through Absolution. The last three of these can be referred to as "ʺSacraments."ʺ These are acts commanded by Christ Himself, which create and/or strengthen saving faith, and give the complete forgiveness of sins. In Baptism and the Lord'ʹs Supper His Word of promise is also connected to physical substances and actions.
d.) All believers need to make frequent and faithful use of the Means of Grace, for themselves, and in proclaiming the Good News of salvation to others. This is the only way immortal souls can be given the necessary faith in Jesus, and thus gain eternal life in heaven. Jesus commanded his followers, “Go therefore and teach all the nations!” (Matthew 28:19) It is through the Word and Sacraments alone that He creates, preserves, strengthens, and expands His Holy Christian Church throughout the world.
Here we stand.
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Stand #16: Baptism Is A Saving Grace
a.) In the Sacrament of Holy Baptism God the Holy Spirit sends the Gospel into sinners, creating saving faith in them, making them born again believers, giving them a new life in Christ (Titus 3:5), and removing from them any and all sins (Acts 2:38). Jesus Christ promised His believers, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).
b.) Jesus instituted Baptism for the New Testament Church when He commanded His followers, “Go . . . baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:20).
c.) The word “baptize” simply means, “to apply water” in the Greek language. Baptism was a sign of repentance and spiritual cleansing practiced by Jewish believers during the centuries before Christ. During this time, the water was applied in a number of ways: by sprinkling, by pouring, or by complete immersion under the water.
d.) Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus, or anyone else, command that Christian baptism must only be by immersion. The only things necessary for a Scriptural Baptism are the application of water to an individual along with the name of the one true Triune God.
e.) Jesus also commanded “all nations” to be baptized, which obviously means all people of all races, cultures, countries, classes, places, and ages (Matthew 28:19). Since no nation exists without children, from newborn on, His command certainly includes infants also.
f.) The Bible teaches that infants are sinful from their conception (Psalm 51), and therefore need to be brought to faith in Jesus (John 3:5,6). Jesus Himself proclaimed that even newborn infants can believe in Him. (Luke 18:15-‐‑17) So, we baptize infants.
Here we stand!
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Stand #17: The Lord’s Supper Forgives Sins
a.) The Lord’s Supper is a Sacrament of the Christian Church because Jesus commanded that it be partaken of often, and because according to Jesus Himself, it grants believers forgiveness of all sins and also strengthens and builds up their faith (First Corinthians 11:23-‐‑26).
b.) This beautiful, comforting, and ancient act of the Church is also called “Holy Communion,” “The Sacrament of the Altar,” “The Lord’s Table,” and “The Holy Eucharist.” Eucharist means, “to give thanks” in Greek, and refers to the prayer connected to this Sacrament in the early Church. This Sacrament has been an integral part of every regular worship service since the very beginning of the Church.
c.) Scripture teaches very clearly that everyone who eats and drinks the bread and wine in a true celebration of the Lord’s Supper also at the same time receives the true Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (First Corinthians 10:16). The bread remains bread, but is also at the same time the whole and complete Body of Christ. The wine remains wine, but is also at the same time the very Blood of Christ. This great Bible truth is called “The Real Presence.”
d.) We can be certain of the Real Presence because when Jesus established this Sacrament, He proclaimed of the bread and wine, “This IS My Body. . . . This IS My blood of the covenant.” (Matthew 26:26,28). Only Christ’s original words at the first Supper cause the bread and wine to become also His Body and Blood at every celebration of His Supper. No human words or actions have this power. But Christ’s Word is always powerful and effective.
e.) Unbelievers and hypocrites also receive Christ’s true body and blood, but only to their spiritual detriment (First Corinthians 11:29). This is why they must be warned not to partake of this holy meal. Here we stand!
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Stand #18: Holy Communion Is A Show of Religious Unity
a.) Holy Scripture teaches that receiving the Lord’s Supper together with others is a display of religious unity (First Corinthians 10:14-‐‑17).
b.) If a person’s religious beliefs are different from ours, it is dishonest and hypocritical to display a unity that does not exist by communing together. We would be proclaiming a lie before the Lord and others.
c.) Therefore we share our Lord’s Supper only with members of our own congregation, or those who are in full doctrinal agreement with our congregation. This is called "ʺclosed"ʺ or "ʺclose"ʺ communion. We carry out this practice because this is what God clearly tells us to do in His holy Word. (First Corinthians 10:18-‐‑22)
d.) Some doctrinal disagreements revolve around the Sacrament of the Altar itself. Teachings that say the earthly elements in Communion are only symbols representing Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, are denying the simple, plain, and clear meaning of the Words of our Lord and Savior. These teachings are really an insult to Jesus, and a rejection of His holy Word. Such false ideas actually deny the blessings our Lord wants to give His believers.
e.) The teaching called “transubstantiation,” is also false. This idea proclaims that the actual physical substance of the bread and wine are supposed to be completely and totally “changed into” the body and blood of Christ, in such a manner so that no bread or wine remains at all. This is a completely unnecessary addition to Christ’s words. This teaching also places the power to bring about the Real Presence into the person and authority of a priest, rather than the words of Jesus Himself. This is totally contrary to will and actions of Christ and the clear words of the Bible. (Luke 22:19,20)
Here we stand!
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Stand #19: Confession & Absolution Is A Sacrament
a.) Confession and Absolution has always been an integral part of Christian life. On the evening of His Resurrection, Jesus told His followers, "ʺIf you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.” (John 20:23) It is a "ʺSacrament"ʺ of the Christian Church because it is commanded by Christ and because it gives the forgiveness of sins.
b.) Every believer has the right to pronounce God'ʹs forgiveness to those who repent and confess their sins. St. James writes, Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed."ʺ (James 5:16) The Apostle John gives us this comfort, "ʺIf we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."ʺ (1 John 1:9) When this is carried out between fellow believers it is referred to as "ʺPrivate"ʺ Confession & Absolution.
c.) Private Confession and Absolution is an important tool especially for Pastors to use in bringing the comfort of the Gospel to their members who are troubled by some particular and specific sin or sins.
d.) Confession and Absolution has always been closely connected with the participation in the sacrament of Holy Communion. The Pastor has the duty and responsibility to see to it that his communicants are property prepared to receive the Lord’s Supper. Private Confession and Absolution, while not the only means for accomplishing this, is still one of the best and most effective tools for carrying out this very important function of the Pastoral ministry.
e.) Dr. Luther and the Lutheran Confessions state repeatedly that Private Confession and Absolution is to be maintained and encouraged and not allowed to disappear. Therefore, it is practiced here on a regular basis and whenever needed by our members.
Here we stand!
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Stand #20: The Holy Christian Church Is The One True Church
a.) The Bible teaches that there is only one true Church. The word “church” in Greek means, “called out of.” Therefore, this Church is made up of all those who are spiritually called out of this sinful world, and into the kingdom of God. These are all who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Redeemer of the sins of the world, and their own personal Savior.
b.) The members of this one true church are all those who are called to be the “sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). This Church is also called “The Temple of God,” (First Corinthians 3:16) “The Body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:23; 4:12), and the "ʺHoly Christian Church, The Communion of Saints.” (The Apostle'ʹs Creed)
c.) The members of the Holy Christian Church can be known only to God (First Samuel 16:7; 2 Timothy 2:19). We cannot tell for sure who is a true believer. Therefore, the Holy Christian Church is invisible to mortal man. It cannot be equated with any particular church body.
d.) Wherever the Gospel of Christ is proclaimed the Holy Christian Church is there. The Holy Christian Church exists wherever there are believers, regardless of the nation, race, or church body to which these believers may belong.
e.) God gives His Church all the spiritual gifts it needs (First Corinthians 12:4-‐‑11). In the first century, the Church displayed special gifts, called “charismata,” or “gifts of grace.” Signs like speaking in unlearned languages, were very helpful in the ministry of the Apostles (Second Corinthians 12:12). The Holy Scriptures teach that these special gifts ended with the completion of the Bible (First Corinthians 13:8-‐‑10). Today, the Word of God and Sacraments are all that is needed to carry out the work of Christ’s Church.
Here we stand!
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Stand #21: The LORD Desires True Unity In His Church
a.) God wants all believers to go to church! It is His will that we gather together on a regular basis to strengthen and encourage each other (Hebrews 10:24,25), and to combine our energy, talents, and resources to share the Gospel with all the world (Mark 16:15).
b.) These gatherings are called “churches” only because of the true believers present in them (First Corinthians 1:2) through the working of the Holy Spirit by means of the Gospel in Word and Sacrament.
c.) God does not want any divisions or differences within or between churches (First Corinthians 1:10). The LORD desires that His children acknowledge and display spiritual unity with other believers in other churches whenever and wherever such unity exists. This unity must be based on full agreement in the clear teachings of Scripture (John 8:31; First Thessalonians 5:21,22).
d.) It is not necessary that all believers agree on exactly how church ceremonies are to be carried out, or exactly how a church should be organized and administered. There are no specific commands about such matters in the New Testament (Romans 14:17).
e.) Individual believers outwardly proclaim their religious beliefs by way of their membership in a particular congregation or church body. We have the right to expect that anyone who belongs to a particular congregation or church body accepts and commits themselves to the doctrines and practices of that group.
f.) We cannot assume spiritual unity exists if there is no knowledge or understanding of an agreement in religious teachings. Before any religious unity can be declared or practiced, full unity in doctrine and practice is to be declared openly and without reservations.
Here we stand!
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Stand #22: God Wants Us To Protect Our Unity In Christ
a.) Believers who agree in doctrine and practice can demonstrate their unity (Ephesians 4:3) in any number of ways: by worshiping together, by working together to proclaim the Gospel, by partaking of Holy Communion together, or by praying together.
b.) For our own soul’s protection, our Lord and Savior orders believers not to practice any kind of religious unity with those who teach, tolerate, support, or defend any false doctrine (Second John 10,11).
c.) When believers find false teachings or practices in the church, it is their duty to try and preserve unity by confronting the false teachers, warning them of the danger to their souls, and moving them to give up their error (Second Timothy 2:25,26; Titus 3:10).
d.) God commands us not to remain joined with a person or group who stubbornly refuses to follow the clear teachings of the Bible, and persists in holding, teaching, or practicing beliefs that are wrong according Holy Scripture (Romans 16:17,18).
e.) The true unity of the church is not in some form of external union. All believers oppose any attempts at unity that are made at the expense of the clear teachings of God’s perfect Word.
f.) Religious unity must never be established without full agreement in both doctrine and practice. Not only must there be agreement in the understanding of Scriptural doctrines, but also a believer’s actions must demonstrate that they do not accept Biblical error.
g.) Membership in organizations that proclaim religious teachings that contradict the orthodox, historic, Biblical Christian Gospel faith is plainly wrong, and against God’s holy and gracious will.
Here we stand!
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Stand #23: God Established The Ministry To Serve The Church
a.) Each and every believer is a priest in God’s eyes (First Peter 2:9), and a minister, or servant, of the Gospel (Matthew 28:19,20; 10:32).
b.) The Bible teaches that all Christians can speak directly to God because of their faith in Jesus Christ. He is the one true Mediator between God and man (Ephesians 2:17,18).
c.) It is also clear in Scripture that God gives the Means of Grace to all believers. All who have been brought to faith in Christ are called to worship Him and proclaim the Gospel (First Peter 2:9).
d.) For the good order of His Church on earth (First Corinthians 14:40), God set up the Public Ministry (Ephesians 4:11). It is God'ʹs will that gatherings of believers call upon people who meet the qualifications listed in the Bible to serve the Church in this public ministry (First Timothy 3:1-‐‑10; First Corinthians 9:14). Those in this ministry have the authority to serve publicly only because a group of believers ask them to do this as their representative (Romans 10:15).
e.) When a group of Christians, whether a congregation or a church body, calls people into the public ministry, the Bible assures us that the Lord Himself is acting through the believers in that church (Acts 20:28). Such people are said to have been given a “Divine Call.”
f.) Public ministers are not lords over the Church or its members, nor are they to be seen as “princes” of the Church (First Peter 5:3), but servants of Christ and of His people.
g.) It is God'ʹs will that believers give honor and respect to public ministers of the Gospel (Hebrews 13:7). Christians are also to submit and obey the spiritual leaders God has placed over them (Hebrews 13:17). Naturally, this does not include following them into false doctrine or practice.
Here we stand!
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Stand #24: God Sets The Parameters For The Public Ministry
a.) The only task of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is to be an instrument for the Holy Spirit so that He can create, sustain, strengthen, and increase saving faith in people.
b.) This can be done through individual believers, local groupings of believers, called congregations, or groupings of congregations, called church bodies, denominations, and sometimes “synods.” The word synod means “walking together” in faith and service to the Lord.
c.) When believers gather together around God’s Word they make use of the public Ministry of the Gospel. God has given the Church freedom to choose what forms of the Public Ministry it will use.
d.) Congregations and church bodies may establish many different variations of this ministry as they see fit. Yet every form of service is still a ministry of the Gospel. The actual Call itself will determine the place, duties, and scope of a particular ministry.
e.) The office of parish Pastor is the most all-‐‑inclusive and diverse Call in the Public Ministry. Pastors are diligently trained to provide a wide variety of spiritual services for the guidance, building-‐‑up, and oversight of believers in a local congregation (First Peter 5:2).
f.) It is God’s will that women also take part in the Ministry of the Gospel. The LORD in His wisdom has set up the “Headship Principle,” based on the Order of Creation. Women may serve in the Gospel Ministry only where such activity would not involve exercising spiritual authority over men (First Timothy 2:11,12).
g.) Women may not serve as Pastors or leaders in congregations or denominations, nor take deciding roles in their governing assemblies in any ways that would exercise authority over men (First Corinthians 11:3; 14:33-‐‑35).
Here we stand!
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Stand #25: God Is The Founder Of All Human Authority
a.) Every ruler and every government on earth has been put into place by God Himself and are His representatives (Romans 13:1). For this reason all people are to obey all governments or authorities and the laws they make (Romans 13:5).
b.) Only one exception is allowed by the Lord, and that is when rulers either forbid believers to do what He clearly commands, or orders them to do something He clearly forbids (Acts 5:29).
c.) God gives directions for both His earthly Church and worldly governments in regard to their own specific responsibilities. He instructs the Church to proclaim the Gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior to the whole world, through the Word and Sacraments (Matthew 28:19,20). He commands all rulers to maintain good order and keep the peace within their areas of authority.
d.) The whole purpose of government is "ʺso that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (First Timothy 2:2). Thus, God empowers all governments and rulers to act in His place in order to defend their citizens from all attacks either from within or without. This includes punishing criminals, even with death, and engaging in just wars (Romans 13:3).
e.) Believers can and should encourage all rulers to set up laws, rewards, and punishments, according to the light of God’s gift of reason, and the law of God written in man’s heart (Romans 13:4).
f.) Is pleasing to the Lord and beneficial for society for believers to participate in and faithfully serve their God-‐‑given government.
Here we stand!
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Stand #26: God Established A Separation Of Church And State
a.) There is a proper type of interaction between the Church and earthly governments. The proper relationship is maintained only when each realm works within its God-‐‑given responsibilities and uses only those means and methods allowed by God.
b.) The Church must not be given, nor seek to carry out, ruling powers, nor attempt to interfere with the government as it goes about its divinely established duties. Neither should the Church ever use the civil law in order to try and force people to believe in Christ. And all attempts of the Church to seek to obtain the assistance of the government as it works to carry out its saving purpose are against God’s will.
c.) The government must not be used as a messenger of the Gospel, nor attempt to interfere with the Church in its soul-‐‑saving work. No government has any right to ever even attempt to restrict the free exercise of any religion. It is also wrong for the government to try and use the message of the Gospel to govern, since unregenerate mankind cannot respond to Gospel motivation.
d.) The Church and government can work together on a particular project as long as both stay within their divinely established roles. And since Christians are members of both kingdoms, they can serve both God and their fellow man by faithfully participating as needed in each realm (Romans 13:6,7).
e.) Christians are not free to ignore or disobey those rulers or laws of the government with which they personally disagree, based merely on their own interpretation of Scripture (Romans 13:2).
Here we stand!
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Stand #27: God Wants Believers To Pray
a.) Prayer is any kind of communication between a believer and the one true God. Even though God knows all things, including all our desires and needs, He still wants us to bring our requests to Him in prayer. We also use prayer to worship, praise, and give thanks to God (First Timothy 2:1). Every prayer of every child of God is a great joy and delight to the Lord.
b.) The perfect pattern of Christian prayer was given to us by our Savior during His earthly ministry, and we call it “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-‐‑13; Luke 11:2-‐‑4). It will be noted that most things for which Jesus teaches us to pray are spiritual, not worldly.
c.) Because of their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Mediator, all believers can speak confidently and directly to their Father in heaven. There is no need for any other go-‐‑betweens: not priests, not angels, not deceased Christians, and not Jesus’ mother.
d.) God grants the requests of believers only according to his perfect wisdom and love (Matthew 7:7,8; First John 5:14). He knows what is best for us, and He grants us only those things that will benefit our faith and bring us closer to eternal life in heaven.
e.) While God often gives many gifts of His grace to believers in answer to their prayers, He creates faith and forgives sin only in and through the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Therefore, prayer is in no way a Means of Grace. People must already have faith in order to pray.
f.) God does not listen to the prayers of unbelievers. The Scriptures clearly teach that the prayers of unbelievers are not acceptable to God. Prayers of those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior are useless babblings directed to idols (Matthew 6:7). Here we stand!
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Stand #28: Good Works Are Necessary
a.) Scripture teaches us that “faith, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17) True faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will always produce works that are pleasing to God (John 15:5). But good works in no way earn nor contribute anything at all toward salvation.
b.) It is the Holy Spirit alone Who makes it possible for believers to do good works (Galatians 5:22-‐‑25). This takes place because the Spirit bestows a new nature, or the “new man,” upon every believer in Jesus. The Spirit works through this New Man in bringing about good works in the Christian.
c.) Only the Gospel can serve as the proper motivation for believers to do good works. The Law cannot produce true good works.
d.) In this sinful world even the noblest good works are far from perfect. Every believer still retains their “Old Adam.” They often fail to do the good they want to do by faith, but instead keep on doing the evil that they don’t want to do (Romans 7:18-‐‑21). But because of Christ’s perfect work, even good works tainted with sin, are looked upon as completely holy, righteous, and beautiful by God.
e.) Christian good works, which come about only because of the presence of saving faith, are entirely different from so-‐‑called “good deeds” done by unbelievers. Unbelievers do much that could be considered beneficial and righteous, yet these actions cannot be called true good works in the eyes of God. The Bible says, “without faith it is impossible to please [God]” (Hebrews 11:6).
f.) The good deeds of unbelievers have value and good purpose in human society, but we maintain, according to Holy Scripture, that they are incapable of pleasing God.
Here we stand!
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Stand #29: God Decides What Good Works Are
a.) People may not decide for themselves what is right and wrong. Believers will not attempt to set up their own standards of what is good and bad in God’s eyes (Matthew 15:9). True faith will lead them to desire only what is right and good according God’s holy Will.
b.) God’s will is revealed in His perfect Word, the Bible. Therefore, in confronting any moral question, believers will seek guidance and direction only from God’s Word, and allow that Word to give them an answer that is good and pleasing to their Lord.
c.) True good works are works of love, for “love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10). The word “love” is very often misused to condone activity that is clearly contrary to God’s Word. These are subtle schemes of Satan to obscure the knowledge and understanding of sin, and harden people’s consciences. Christians will oppose this.
d.) All attempts to set aside God’s eternal and unchanging moral law as revealed in the Bible as the one and only absolute standard of what is good and right is in itself evil, and to be opposed by all believers.
e.) There are a number of matters that are not addressed specifically in God’s Word. These are things neither forbidden nor commanded by our Lord. They are often referred to as “adiaphora.” On these issues, believers are free to make up their own minds and act according to their God-‐‑given wisdom.
f.) Believers must be careful that the use of this freedom does not lead others to sin, or cause offence to believers whose faith may still be weak.
Here we stand!
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Stand #30: God Commands To Be Top Priority In Our Life
a.) “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). God does not want us to put our earthly trust or eternal hope in anything or anyone else but Him. He requires that we respect, love, and trust Him more than anyone or anything else. This means true believers will not worship anything other than the Triune God of the Bible, put their hope and trust in anything or anyone other than this One True God, nor let anything or anyone become as important as or more important than God and living for Him.
b.) “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7). God’s “Name” is everything He tells us about Himself in the Bible. He has many other names: God, the Almighty, Lord of Hosts, and others. One of His most important names is: “LORD,” which means, “I AM!” in Hebrew, and shows God’s independence and reliability. He is “The God of Free and Faithful Grace.”
c.) Both the Bible and some of the names for God are often abused. When used unthinkingly or to curse, or swear to lies, these are grave sins against God and His holy name.
d.) “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). The word “Sabbath” means, “rest.” This commandment was meant to remind God’s people of the perfect peace brought by the Messiah. Through faith in Jesus we have peace with God and rest for our souls. Thus, we “keep the Sabbath” whenever we hear the Gospel and worship Jesus. The center and focus of worship must be Christ’s Gospel in Word and Sacraments.
e.) Our Order of Worship, or “liturgy,” goes back to early Bible times. This kind of worship was used by Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and the Apostles. It has an “order” to it because God Himself is orderly. To use shoddy or disorganized worship is to dishonor God.
Here we stand!
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Stand #31: God Commands That We Protect Life And Family
a.) “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). God wants us to treat all authorities as we would treat Him, for all authorities; parents and governments, are representatives of God
b.) No system of government is more Biblical or Godly than all others. All types of Government serve God’s holy purpose. Nations and governments rise and fall by His will. While orderly dissent can be part of a governmental process, revolt against authority is wrong, unless we are ordered to act against God’s revealed will. All who refuse to submit or show respect for God’s representatives are sinning against God Himself.
c.) “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). God is the creator of all life. Human life, both body and soul, begins at conception. Souls do not have a “pre-‐‑existence.” Since God’s Word can only have a saving effect on the soul between conception and death, we must not harm or shorten life. Only God has the right to end life. But He also gives the Government the right to end life, as His representative, in order to protect the lives of others, as in war or capital punishment. All other ending of human life, such as abortion, suicide, or euthanasia is murder, and thus against God’s will.
d.) “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Sex and marriage are beautiful gifts from God. Sex is not shameful in itself. God wants us to enjoy sex and marriage properly. He intended sexual relations to be used only within marriage. Indeed, sex helps fulfill the three main purposes of marriage: companionship, the creation of children, and avoiding sexual sins. All other uses of sex are sins against God. Sexual liberation and experimentation is NOT the answer to a happy life and marriage, not to mention being very dangerous.
Here we stand!
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Stand #32: Marriage Is Sacred
a.) God established marriage at Creation. He created and brought Eve to Adam after Adam had found no one like himself in all the world. When Adam accepted Eve they became husband and wife, the first married couple (Genesis 2:18-‐‑24).
b.) God’s definition for marriage is: mutual consent of one man and one woman, freely given, for life. Marriage is not simply the latest trend in human evolution, or an invention of society, nor can society or government define marriage according to its own whims or opinions.
c.) The Lord desires marriage to be a loving, caring, cooperative partnership. He designed this relationship to have the husband as the "ʺhead,"ʺ and the wife as a “suitable helper.” Each has their own sphere of responsibility. And since God is perfect and all-‐‑wise, this must always be a good and beneficial arrangement.
d.) God demands that husbands love and honor their wives as their own bodies, even as wives respect and submit to their husbands as they would to God. This calls for self-‐‑sacrifice from husbands, and humble submission from wives.
e.) Jesus teaches that marriage does not continue in heaven. Neither are new marriages begun in heaven (Matthew 22:30). Death ends the marriage relationship permanently.
f.) God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Divorce is always against God’s will and always involves sin, though it may become unavoidable. God permits divorce for only two reasons, adultery and desertion (Matthew 19:9). All other reasons for divorce are totally unacceptable to God. The surest ways to preserve marriage and prevent divorce are: faith in Christ, living by His Word, prayer, contentment, and lots and lots of patience.
Here we stand!
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Stand #33: God Commands Us To Protect Reputations And Property
a.) “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15). God determines who gets what in this life; some get many blessings, others get few. Our Lord wants us to help people keep and improve whatever He has given them.
b.) It is against God’s will for people to forcibly redistribute these blessings: by stealing, cheating, deceit, or government dictate. God forbids us to waste, misuse, or abuse what He gives us: by not making the fullest use of our talents and abilities, by using our talents and abilities for a sinful purpose, or by mistreating our bodies, minds, or the world around us.
c.) “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). God wants us to have a good reputation, and protect the reputations of others. People will look to those with a good reputation for advice, counsel, and leadership. All this can help believers spread the Gospel and lead souls into God'ʹs heavenly kingdom.
d.) By lying or gossiping about someone, spreading secrets, or putting a negative slant on the truth, people give others a bad reputation. A bad reputation can cause distrust and lack of respect. God forbids us to lie to or about others, to betray people’s secrets, or to say anything about others, even the truth, which is meant to harm their reputation.
e.) God expects us to speak well of others or not at all. He asks that we assume the best about the words, actions, and intentions of others.
f.) “You shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17). God forbids us to desire things we should not have, such as other people’s money, possessions, spouse and family, or workers and friends. Such desires can and often will lead to many other sins if not checked. We must control our lusts and passions through daily prayer and meditation on God’s Word.
Here we stand!
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Here We Stand!
We Believe:
-‐‑ God Is Real; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Three Persons In One Godhead. -‐‑ The Entire Bible Is God’s Perfect Word. -‐‑ The Bible Is True In Everything It Says. -‐‑ The Bible Alone Gives Us All Our Beliefs And Teachings For Faith And Life. -‐‑ God Is Our Creator And The Creator Of The Entire Universe And Everything In It. -‐‑ All Human Beings Are Sinners From The Moment Of Our Conception. -‐‑ Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Born Of The Virgin Mary During The Reign Of Augustus Caesar, Is True God And True Man In One Historic Person. -‐‑ Jesus Christ, By His Totally Sinless Life and Sacrificial Death, Paid for the Sins of All People, Including Unbelievers. -‐‑ We Are Saved Only By Grace Through Faith In Jesus Christ As Lord and Savior, Given To Us Through The Working of the Holy Spirit By The Means Of Grace – The Gospel In Word and Sacraments. -‐‑ We Are Elected To Heaven From Eternity. -‐‑ There Is ONLY One Path to Eternal Life In Heaven: Faith In Jesus Christ As Savior. -‐‑ Jesus Christ Will Return On The Last Day, Which God The Father Alone Knows. -‐‑ God Gives Us All We Need To Know About Judgment Day In The Bible. -‐‑ The Antichrist Is Revealed In The Bible As The Office Of The Roman Pontiff. -‐‑ God Gives His Saving Grace In Visible Ways Called Sacraments. -‐‑ Baptism Is A Saving Grace For All People, Including Infants. -‐‑ The Lord’s Supper Forgives Sins Through The True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Received Together With The Bread And Wine Of Holy Communion. -‐‑ Holy Communion Is A Display of Full Religious Unity. -‐‑ Confession & Absolution Is Also A Sacrament Of God’s Church On Earth. -‐‑ The Invisible Holy Christian Church Is The One And Only True Church. -‐‑ The LORD Desires True Unity Of Doctrine And Practice In His Church. -‐‑ God Wants Us To Protect Our Unity In Christ By Proclaiming And Protecting Only The Pure Doctrines Found In The Bible. -‐‑ God Established The Public Ministry To Serve The Church, Not Be Served By It. -‐‑ God Alone Sets The Qualifications For The Public Ministry. -‐‑ God Is The Founder Of All And Every Human Authority In This World. -‐‑ God Himself Established A Separation Of Church And State. -‐‑ God Wants Believers To Pray To Him Often. -‐‑ Good Works Are Necessary. -‐‑ God Alone Decides What Good Works Are. -‐‑ God, The Bible, And Worship Are To Be Our Top Priorities In This Life. -‐‑ God commands That We Protect All Human Life From Conception Onward, And The Family Unit As The Foundation Of A Stable Society Under God. -‐‑ Marriage Is Established By God As Only The Union of One Man and One Woman For Life. -‐‑ God Wants Us To Protect People’s Name And Property.
Stand with us!
