What We Believe

A world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation.

Our Mission

Through proclamation of the gospel, through worship and as servants of God working for healing and justice in the world, we uphold and seek to protect the dignity and human rights of all people.

APOSTLES’ CREED

A creed is a statement of what a person or a group of people believes and teaches. The Apostles’ Creed is a confession of the gospel truths which were taught by the apostles of Jesus. This creed developed in the early Christian church. Christians used it to tell others what they believed and to confess their faith with one another when they met for worship. The Apostles’ Creed was also used in the early church to teach children basic truths of God’s Word. This Creed is still used today as a basis for Christian witnessing, confessing and teaching gospel truths of the Bible.

The gospel is summarized by the Apostles’ Creed in three parts because the true God is three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit—the Triune God. The Creed tells us what each of the persons of the Trinity has done and is still doing to bless and save us. Thus the gospel message of the Apostles’ Creed is the good news that our God has created us, that he has redeemed us, and that he sanctifies us.

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Our Beliefs

First St John - I believe in the resurrection of the body

We believe in the resurrection of the body

By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. – 1 Corinthians 6:14

First St John - I believe in God

We believe in God

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” – John 17:3

First St John - God the Father

We believe in God, the Father almighty

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. – Galatians 3:26

First St John - believe in God…maker of heaven and earth

We believe in God…maker of heaven and earth

Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 124:8

First St John - Jesus Christ, [God the Father’s] only Son, our Lord

We believe in Jesus Christ, [God the Father’s] only Son, our Lord

“But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:15-16

First St John - Jesus Christ…who was conceived by the Holy Spirit

We believe in Jesus Christ…who was conceived by the Holy Spirit

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” – Luke 1:35

First St John - Jesus Christ…Jesus Christ…born of the virgin Mary

We believe in Jesus Christ…born of the virgin Mary

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”
– Matthew 1:22-23

First St John - We believe in Jesus Christ…suffered under Pontius Pilate

We believe in Jesus Christ…suffered under Pontius Pilate

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. – Mark 15:15

 

First St John - Jesus Christ…crucified, died, and was buried.

We believe in Jesus Christ…crucified, died, and was buried.

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

First St John - Jesus Christ…He descended into hell.

We believe in Jesus Christ…He descended to the dead.

Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. – 1 Peter 3:18-20

First St John - believe in Jesus Christ…The third day he rose again from the dead.

We believe in Jesus Christ…The third day he rose again from the dead.

“…God raised him [Jesus] from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” – Acts 10:40-42

 

First St John - Jesus Christ…He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

We believe in Jesus Christ…He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

“Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:34-35, 37

First St John - Jesus Christ…From there [heaven] he will come to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in Jesus Christ…From there [heaven] he will come to judge the living and the dead.

“[Jesus] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” – Acts 10:42-43

First St John - believe in the Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit

No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 12:3

 

First St John - believe in…the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints

We believe in…the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
– Ephesians 5:25-27

First St John - believe in…the forgiveness of sins

We believe in…the forgiveness of sins

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:19

First St John - believe in…the life everlasting. Amen.

We believe in…the life everlasting. Amen.

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. – Psalm 16:11

 

Denominational Beliefs

Learn More

Augsburg Fortress

Martin Luther’s guide to the basics of Christian faith, newly illustrated and with study helps.

Lutheran Hour Ministries

LHM is a Christian outreach ministry that provides The Lutheran Hour radio program, daily devotions, help topics and booklets, evangelism training, ..

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

The ELCA confesses the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching the ELCA trusts the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.

First St. John Dayschool

We are now enrolling for our Summer Program and the 2024/2025 School Year! Enroll Today Through This Website

Genacross Lutheran Services

Improving Lives.  Inspired by Faith.  Throughout life, you and your family may face situations where you need expert support — especially as you grow older. Enrich your life with the compassionate, experienced care of Genacross Lutheran Services. Our range of services for different stages of life is inspired by faith and our devotion to serve.

Lutheran Resources

Definitive place to learn about the Lutheran faith. Whether you are a Lutheran or not, a beginner or a life-long Lutheran, you will find something here

Women of the ELCA (WELCA)

WELCA embraces all kinds of ministries that support our mission of mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. There is a place for you in Women of the ELCA.