What do Lutherans believe about Baptism?

We believe that the Bible teaches us that a person is saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It tells us that “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17), and Jesus Himself has instructed us to be baptized with water, along with the Word of God (Matthew 28:19-20).

 Because of this, we see baptism as a wonderful means of grace. It’s a special moment where God can create or strengthen faith in our hearts. You can find support for this in passages like Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Galatians 3:26-27, Romans 6:1-4, Colossians 2:11-12, and 1 Corinthians 12:13.

Do we need to
be baptized to be saved?

The LCMS does not believe that Baptism is ABSOLUTELY necessary for salvation. All true believers in the Old Testament era were saved without baptism. Mark 16:16 implies that it is not the absence of Baptism that condemns a person but the absence of faith, and there are clearly other ways of coming to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. Still, Baptism dare not be despised or willfully neglected, since it is explicitly commanded by God and has His precious promises attached to it. It is not a mere “ritual” or “symbol,” but a powerful means of grace by which God grants faith and the forgiveness of sins.

Why are infants baptized?

We believe that when an infant is baptized, God creates faith in the heart of that infant. We believe this because the Bible says that infants can believe (Matt. 18:6) and that new birth (regeneration) happens in Baptism (John 3:5-7; Titus 3:5-6). The infant’s faith cannot yet, of course, be verbally expressed or articulated by the child, yet it is real and present all the same (see e.g., Acts 2:38-39; Luke 1:15; 2 Tim. 3:15).

The faith of the infant, like the faith of adults, also needs to be fed and nurtured by God’s Word (Matt. 28:18-20), or it will die.

What are our
Communion beliefs?

Lutherans believe that the Body and Blood of Christ are “truly and substantially present in, with and under the forms” of consecrated bread and wine (the elements), so that communicants eat and drink both the elements and the true Body and Blood of Christ himself in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, whether they are believers or unbelievers. Talk to the pastor for more details.

Why do bad things happen?

We live in a world permeated with sin. Because of that, and since the devil is the prince of this world, as the Bible says, bad things happen to good people. However, a lot more good has happened to people who love God in Jesus than bad. Read Psalm 90 and 91. And consider how God can turn the bad things into good for those who love God (Romans 8:28).

What do you wear to church?

We love to wear all kinds of outfits—jeans, shirts, dresses, slacks, hats, gloves, and so much more! The best part? It doesn’t matter what you wear; what truly counts is that you’re here with us.

We’re a welcoming and friendly community, and we can’t wait for you to come and get to know us!