So what do Lutheran Christians believe? Here’s a short summary:
Along with the historic and universal Christian Church, we believe and confess the faith expressed in the Three Ecumenical Creeds.
We believe in one Triune God: the Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who 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; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God.
Being “Lutheran,” we accept and teach the truth of God’s Word as it is summarized and confessed in the Book of Concord. The Book of Concord is a collection of documents, penned by Martin Luther and other reformers of the 16th Century, which we hold as faithful expressions of the Scriptural presentation of the Christian faith.
This teaching can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.
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. Our good works do not earn our salvation, but are done in thanksgiving for God’s love.
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.