Who We Are and What We Believe
Pastor Larry Rubeck
With the universal Christian Church, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod teaches of the love of the Triune God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Being “Lutheran,” our congregation accepts and teaches the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther. The teachings of Luther, which inspired the reformation of the Christian church in the 16th century, can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone. We join with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to praise God, study His Word, and work in His service.
About Martin Luther’s Teaching
Grace
Faith
Scripture
To understand Luther’s phrases it is important to understand the concept of the Triune God. God the Father is the creator of all that exists. God the Son, Jesus Christ, became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan. God the Holy Spirit, creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God. With this foundation it is a bit easier to understand Luther’s phrases
Grace alone: God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.
Faith alone: By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.
Scripture alone: The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.
Common Questions
Who is Jesus?
For more than 2,000 years people have asked the question, “Who is Jesus?”. We were not present when Jesus lived on this earth, but in the Bible we have the record of his birth, life, death on the cross, and resurrection. Study of the Bible, God’s Word, will enable you to seek out the answer to this age-old question.
What Does Synod Mean?
The word “Synod” in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod comes from Greek words that mean “walking together.” The term has rich meaning in our church body, because congregations voluntarily choose to belong to the Synod. Though diverse in their service, these congregations hold to a shared confession of Jesus Christ as taught in Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions which they believe are a correct interpretation and presentation of Biblical doctrine. Contained in The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, these statements of belief were put into writing by church leaders during the 16th century. The simplest of these is Luther’s Small Catechism. The Augsburg Confession gives more detail on what Lutherans believe. Read an article from the May 2004 Lutheran Witness about what a “Synod” is.
More Study Resources
The Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations provides study documents and statements of theological issues. Answers to theological questions may be found on the Frequently Asked Questions web site. The Christian Cyclopedia has served thousands of students, church professionals, and lay persons as a one-volume compendium of historical and theological data, ranging from ancient figures to contemporary events. In addition, a series of downloadable “What About? pamphlets offer insight on variety of doctrinal topics, moral issues and concerns in the church. We also invite you to learn more about specific worship practices (or FAQ’S) of the Synod.
Adapted from A Week in the Life of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House.
Location
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
& My Father’s World Preschool
932 S. McHenry Avenue
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Hours
Open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Sunday Services: 8:30 am & 10:30 am