Questions?
Why get baptized?
We believe that the Bible teaches a person is saved by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It tells us that such “faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:17). Jesus Himself commands Baptism and tells us that Baptism is water used together with the Word of God (Matt. 28:19-20).
Because of this, we believe that Baptism is one of the miraculous means of grace, through which God creates and/or strengthens the gift of faith in a person’s heart (see Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:1-4; Col. 2:11-12; 1 Cor. 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.
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 baptize infants?
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.
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 wear jeans and shirts, dresses, slacks, hats, gloves and everything in between. It doesn’t matter what you wear, it only matters that you are here.
We are a very welcoming and friendly congregation, come and get to know us!
Do Lutherans baptize adults?
Lutherans do not believe that only those baptized as infants receive faith. Faith can also be created in a person’s heart by the power of the Holy Spirit working through God’s Word. Baptism should then soon follow conversion (cf. Acts 8:26-40) for the purpose of confirming and strengthening faith in accordance with God’s command and promise. Lutherans baptize people of all ages from infancy to adulthood.
How do we overcome sin?
We Christians know that God has punished Jesus in our place for our sins, so that we won’t have to be punished. God disciplines those whom He loves. Read Hebrews 12.
We know God is Good and Gracious and Loving in giving us the Way, the Truth and the Life for our salvation, our Savior Jesus. We know that He works all things for our good. We must always turn to God in His Word and pray for answers, never away from Him. Sometimes the answers He has are not evident to us right away. It may even be in heaven that we see and understand His purposes.
Do you have questions we haven’t covered?
Just send an email to firstluhteran@sbcglobal.net and tell us your question, we will post the answer here within a few days. Even if you just want to know what we had for breakfast! Hey we don’t judge!