This We Believe - twb
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This We Believe
A Statement of Belief of the
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Prepared for the Conference of Presidents by the
Commission on Inter-Church Relations for the
Wisconsin Evangelical Synod, 1999
Tenth printing, 2001
Revised, January 1999
Ninth printing, April 1988
Revised, September 1980
Sixth printing, May 1978
First printing, January 1967
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from
the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. NIV�. Copyright
� 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by
permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
The �NIV� and �New International Version� trademarks are registered
in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International
Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of
International Bible Society.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means�electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise�except for brief quotations in reviews without prior
permission from the publisher.
Northwestern Publishing House
1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee WI 53226-3284
� 1999 by Northwestern Publishing House
Published 1999
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 0-8100-0983-8
INTRODUCTION
�Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him
before my Father in heaven� (Matthew 10:32). With these words Jesus
indicates that he wants Christians to confess publicly what they
believe in their hearts.
This We Believe is one way the members of the Wisconsin Evangelical
Lutheran Synod have chosen to confess their faith in Christ. This
document publicly summarizes the main teachings of our church body.
This We Believe was first published in 1967. A minor revision was
undertaken in 1980. In consultation with the Conference of
Presidents, the Commission on Inter-Church Relations completed the
present revision in 1999. This second revision seeks to simplify the
language and to add some important points of doctrine not addressed
in the first two editions. The current revision was not undertaken
because of doctrinal disagreement with the previous editions.
The current document does not claim to be a full treatment of all
the Bible�s teachings. For a fuller exposition of the doctrines of
Scripture, the reader is referred to other sources, including the
pamphlet Doctrinal Statements of the WELS (Northwestern Publishing
House, 1997).
It should also be noted that This We Believe was not specifically
designed to serve as an outreach tool for unchurched people, but as
a basis for doctrinal discussions with other church bodies and
informed individuals.
It is our conviction that over the years This We Believe has been a
great blessing to the church. This revised edition is presented with
the fervent prayer that it may continue to serve Christ�s church, to
the glory of his name and for the extension of his kingdom.
I. GOD AND HIS REVELATION
1. We believe that there is only one true God (Isaiah 44:6). He has
made himself known as the triune God, one God in three persons. This
is evident from Jesus� command to his disciples to baptize �in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit� (Matthew
28:19). Whoever does not worship this God worships a false god, a
god who does not exist. Jesus said, �He who does not honor the Son
does not honor the Father, who sent him� (John 5:23).
2. We believe that God has revealed himself in nature. �The heavens
declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands�
(Psalm 19:1). �Since the creation of the world God�s invisible
qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly
seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are
without excuse� (Romans 1:20). So there is no excuse for atheists.
Since the requirements of the law are written on people�s hearts,
the consciences of people also bear witness that there is a God to
whom they are accountable (Romans 2:15). However, nature and
conscience present only a partial revelation of God and one that is
not able to show the way to heaven.
3. We believe that God has given the full revelation of himself in
his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. �No one has ever seen God, but God
the One and Only, who is at the Father�s side, has made him known�
(John 1:18). In Jesus, God has revealed himself as the Savior-God,
who �so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life� (John 3:16).
4. We believe that God has also given a written revelation for all
people in the Holy Scriptures. His revelation in the Bible has two
main messages, the law and the gospel. The law declares what is
right and wrong, and it threatens God�s punishment for sin. The
gospel presents the love of God, which he has shown especially by
providing salvation from sin through Jesus Christ.
5. We believe that the entire Bible is Christ-centered. In the Old
Testament God repeatedly promised a divine deliverer from sin,
death, and hell. The New Testament proclaims that this promised
deliverer has come in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus himself
says of the Old Testament, �These are the Scriptures that testify
about me� (John 5:39).
6. We believe that God gave the Scriptures through men whom he
chose, using the language they knew and the style of writing they
had. He used Moses and the prophets to write the Old Testament in
Hebrew (some portions in Aramaic) and the evangelists and apostles
to write the New Testament in Greek.
7. We believe that in a miraculous way that goes beyond all human
investigation, God the Holy Spirit moved these men to write his
Word. These men �spoke from God as they were carried along by the
Holy Spirit� (2 Peter 1:21). What they said was spoken �not in words
taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit� (1
Corinthians 2:13). Every thought they expressed and every word they
used were given them by the Holy Spirit. Saint Paul wrote to
Timothy, �All Scripture is God-breathed� (2 Timothy 3:16). The
church has called this miraculous process inspiration, which means
�breathing into.� Since every word of Scripture was inspired, we
also call this process verbal inspiration, or word-for-word
inspiration. This is not to be equated with mechanical dictation,
since the Holy Spirit guided the writers as they used their
individual vocabularies and writing styles.
8. We believe that Scripture is a unified whole, true and without
error in everything it says, for the Savior said, �The Scripture
cannot be broken� (John 10:35). Therefore it is the infallible
authority and guide for everything we believe and do.
9. We believe that the Bible is fully sufficient, clearly teaching
people all they need to know to get to heaven. It makes them �wise
for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus� (2 Timothy 3:15), and
it equips them for �every good work� (2 Timothy 3:17). Since God�s
plan of salvation has been fully revealed in the canonical books of
the Bible, we need and expect no other revelations (Hebrews 1:1,2).
The church is built on the teachings of the apostles and prophets
(Ephesians 2:20).
10. We believe and accept the Bible on its own terms, accepting as
factual history what it presents as history and recognizing as
figurative speech what is evident as such. We believe that Scripture
must interpret Scripture, clear passages throwing light on those
less easily understood. We believe that no authority--whether it is
human reason, science, or scholarship--may stand in judgment over
Scripture. Sound scholarship will faithfully search out the true
meaning of Scripture without presuming to pass judgment on it.
11. We believe that the original Hebrew text of the Old Testament
and the Greek text of the New Testament are the inspired Word of God. Translations
of the Hebrew and Greek that accurately reflect the meaning of the
original text convey God�s truth to people and can properly be
called the Word of God.
12. Although the original documents themselves have been lost, we
believe that the Lord in his providential care has accurately
preserved the Hebrew and Greek texts through the many hand-copied
manuscripts that exist. Although there are minor differences or
�variants� between the various hand-copied manuscripts, these
variants do not cause any changes in doctrine.
13. We believe that the three ecumenical creeds (the Apostles�, the
Nicene, and the Athanasian) as well as the Lutheran Confessions as
contained in the Book of Concord of 1580 express the true doctrine
of Scripture. Since the doctrines they confess are drawn from
Scripture alone, we are bound to them in our faith and life.
Therefore all preaching and teaching in our churches and schools
must be in harmony with these confessions, and we reject all the
errors that they reject.
14. We reject any worship that is not directed to the triune God as
revealed in the Bible. We reject the use of feminine names and
pronouns for God because in Scripture God reveals himself as Father
and Son. We reject the opinion that all religions lead to the same God.
15. We reject any thought that makes only part of Scripture God�s
Word or that allows for the possibility of factual error in
Scripture, even in so-called nonreligious matters such as historical
or geographical details. We likewise reject all views that say
Scripture is merely a human record of God�s revelation as he
encounters mankind in history, and so is a record subject to human
imperfections.
16. We reject any emphasis upon Jesus as the personal Word of God
(John 1:1) that minimizes the role of the Scriptures as the written
Word of God (Romans 3:2).
17. We reject every effort to reduce the confessions contained in
the Book of Concord to historical documents that do not have binding
confessional significance for the church today. We likewise reject
any claim that the church is bound only to those doctrines of
Scripture that are specifically addressed in these confessions.
This is what Scripture teaches about God and his revelation. This we
believe, teach, and confess.
II. CREATION, MAN, AND SIN
1. We believe that the universe, the world, and the human race came
into existence in the beginning when God created heaven and earth
and all creatures (Genesis 1,2). Further testimony to this event is
found in other passages of the Old and New Testaments (for example,
Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 11:3). The creation happened in the course of
six consecutive days of normal length by the power of God�s almighty
word.
2. We believe that the Bible presents a true, factual, and
historical account of creation.
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in his own image
(Genesis 1:26,27), that is, holy and righteous. Their thoughts,
desires, and will were in full harmony with God (Colossians 3:10;
Ephesians 4:24). They were furthermore given the capacity to
�subdue� God�s creation (Genesis 1:28) and the responsibility to
care for it (Genesis 2:15).
4. We believe that God created a multitude of good angels. Sometime
after creation, a number of these angels rebelled against God under
the leadership of one of their own who is called Satan or the devil
(2 Peter 2:4). Ever since, these evil angels have opposed God and
God�s people (1 Peter 5:8).
5. We believe that Adam and Eve lost their divine image when they
yielded to the temptation of Satan and disobeyed God�s command. This
brought upon them the judgment of God: �You will surely die�
(Genesis 2:17). Since that time all people are conceived and born in
a sinful condition (Psalm 51:5) and are inclined only to evil
(Genesis 8:21). �Flesh gives birth to flesh� (John 3:6). Since all
people are by nature dead in sin and separated from God (Ephesians
2:1), they are unable to reconcile themselves to God by their own
efforts and deeds.
6. We believe that God in his gracious providence richly and daily
provides for the bodily needs of all people (Psalm 145:15,16). He
furthermore protects believers against all danger by keeping evil
away from them (Psalm 121:7) or by making it serve their good (Romans 8:28).
7. We reject all theories of evolution as an explanation of the
origin of the universe and the human race and all attempts to
harmonize the scriptural account of creation with such theories.
8. We reject interpretations that reduce the first chapters of
Genesis to a narration of myths or parables or poetic accounts that
are not factual history.
9. We reject all theories that blur the distinction between human
beings and animals, since only human beings have immortal souls and
are accountable to God.
10. We reject all theories that blur the distinction between God and
his creation (pantheism).
11. We reject all views that look upon people as basically good by
nature; that consider their natural tendencies to be mere
weaknesses, which are not sinful; or that fail to recognize their
total spiritual depravity and their inability to please God (Romans
3:9-18). This is what Scripture teaches about creation, mankind, and
sin. This we believe, teach, and confess.
III. CHRIST AND REDEMPTION
1. We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, one with
the Father from all eternity (John 1:1,2). In the course of time, he
took a true and complete, yet sinless, human nature to himself
(Galatians 4:4) when he was conceived as a holy child in the virgin
Mary through a miracle of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). God�s angel
testified, �What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit�
(Matthew 1:20). Jesus Christ is unique, for in him the true God and
a true human nature are inseparably united in one person, the holy
God-man. He is called Immanuel, which means �God with us� (Matthew 1:23).
2. We believe that Jesus at all times possessed the fullness of the
Deity with all divine power, wisdom, and glory (Colossians 2:9). His
divinity was evident when he performed miracles (John 2:11). But
while he lived on earth, he took on the form of a servant, humbling
himself by laying aside the continuous and full display and use of
his divine characteristics. During this time he lived as a man among
mankind, endured suffering, and humbled himself to the shameful
death on the cross (Philippians 2:7,8). We believe that Christ
descended into hell to proclaim his victory over Satan (1 Peter
3:18,19). We believe that he rose again from the grave with a
glorified body, ascended, and is exalted on high to rule with power
over the world, with grace in his church, and with glory in eternity
(Philippians 2:9-11).
3. We believe that Jesus Christ, the God-man, was sent by the Father
to redeem all people, that is, to buy them back from the guilt and
punishment of sin. Jesus came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17) so
that on the basis of his perfect obedience all people would be
declared holy (Romans 5:18,19). He came to bear �the iniquity of us
all� (Isaiah 53:6), ransoming all people by his sacrifice for sin on
the altar of the cross (Matthew 20:28). We believe that he is the
God-appointed substitute for all people. His righteousness, or
perfect obedience, is accepted by the Father as our righteousness,
his death for sin as our death for sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). We
believe that his resurrection gives full assurance that God has
accepted the payment he made for all (Romans 4:25).
4. We believe that God reconciled �the world to himself in Christ,
not counting men�s sins against them� (2 Corinthians 5:19). We
believe that Jesus is �the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of
the world� (John 1:29). The mercy and grace of God are
all-embracing; the reconciliation through Christ is universal; the
forgiveness of sins has been gained as an accomplished fact for all
people. Because of the substitutionary work of Christ, God has
justified all people, that is, God has declared them to be not
guilty. This forms the firm, objective basis for the sinner�s
assurance of salvation.
5. We reject any teaching that in any way limits Christ�s work of
atonement. We reject any teaching that says Christ paid the penalty
only for the sins of some people. We reject any teaching that says
Christ made only a partial payment for sins.
6. We reject the views that consider the Gospel accounts to be pious
fiction developed by early Christians to express their ideas about
Jesus Christ rather than a true account of what actually happened in
history. We reject all attempts to make the historical accuracy of
events in Christ�s life--such as his virgin birth, his miracles, or
his bodily resurrection--appear unimportant or even doubtful. We
reject the attempts to stress a �present encounter with the living
Christ� in such a way that Jesus� redemptive work recorded in
Scripture loses its importance.
This is what Scripture teaches about Christ and redemption. This we
believe, teach and confess.
IV. JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
1. We believe that God has justified all sinners, that is, he has
declared them righteous for the sake of Christ. This is the central
message of Scripture upon which the very existence of the church
depends. It is a message relevant to people of all times and places,
of all races and social levels, for �the result of one trespass was
condemnation for all men� (Romans 5:18). All need forgiveness of
sins before God, and Scripture proclaims that all have been
justified, for �the result of one act of righteousness was
justification that brings life for all men� (Romans 5:18).
2. We believe that individuals receive this free gift of forgiveness
not on the basis of their own works, but only through faith
(Ephesians 2:8,9). Justifying faith is trust in Christ and his
redemptive work. This faith justifies not because of any power it
has in itself, but only because of the salvation prepared by God in
Christ, which it embraces (Romans 3:28; 4:5). On the other hand,
although Jesus died for all, Scripture says that �whoever does not
believe will be condemned� (Mark 16:16). Unbelievers forfeit the
forgiveness won for them by Christ (John 8:24).
3. We believe that people cannot produce this justifying faith, or
trust, in their own hearts, because �the man without the Spirit does
not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness to him� (1 Corinthians 2:14). In fact, �the sinful mind
is hostile to God� (Romans 8:7). It is the Holy Spirit who gives
people faith to recognize that �Jesus is Lord� (1 Corinthians 12:3).
The Holy Spirit works this faith by means of the gospel (Romans
10:17). We believe, therefore, that a person�s conversion is
entirely the work of God�s grace. Rejection of the gospel is,
however, entirely the unbeliever�s own fault (Matthew 23:37).
4. We believe that sinners are saved by grace alone. Grace is the
undeserved love of God for sinners. This love led God to give
sinners everything they need for their salvation. It is all a gift
of God. People do nothing to earn any of it (Ephesians 2:8,9).
5. We believe that already before the world was created, God chose
those individuals whom he would in time convert through the gospel
of Christ and preserve in faith to eternal life (Ephesians 1:4-6;
Romans 8:29,30). This election to faith and salvation in no way was
caused by anything in people but shows how completely salvation is
by grace alone (Romans 11:5,6).
6. We believe that at the moment of death, the souls of those who
believe in Christ go immediately to be with the Lord in the joy of
heaven because of the atoning work of Christ (Luke 23:43). The souls
of those who do not believe in Christ go to an eternity of misery in
hell (Luke 16:22-24).
7. We reject every teaching that people in any way contribute to
their salvation. We reject the belief that people with their own
power can cooperate in their conversion or make a decision for
Christ (John 15:16). We reject the belief that those who are
converted were less resistant to God�s grace than those who remain
unconverted. We reject all efforts to present faith as a condition
people must fulfill to complete their justification. We reject all
attempts of sinners to justify themselves before God.
8. We reject any suggestion that the doctrine of justification by
faith is no longer meaningful today.
9. We reject the teaching that believers can never fall from faith
(�once saved, always saved�), because the Bible says it is possible
for believers to fall from faith (1 Corinthians 10:12).
10. We reject the false and blasphemous conclusion that those who
are lost were predestined, or elected, by God to damnation, for God
wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).
11. We reject universalism, the belief that all people are saved,
even those without faith in Christ (John 3:36). We reject pluralism,
the belief that there are other ways to salvation besides faith in
Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). We reject any teaching that says it
does not matter what one believes so long as one has faith in God.
This is what Scripture teaches about justification by grace through
faith. This we believe, teach and confess.
V. GOOD WORKS AND PRAYER
1. We believe that faith in Jesus Christ always leads a believer to
produce works that are pleasing to God. �Faith by itself, if it is
not accompanied by action, is dead� (James 2:17). As a branch in
Christ the vine, a Christian produces good fruit (John 15:5).
2. We believe that works pleasing to God are works of love, for
�love is the fulfillment of the law� (Romans 13:10). Faith, however,
does not set up its own standards to determine what is loving
(Matthew 15:9). True faith delights to do only what agrees with
God�s holy will. That will of God is revealed in the Bible,
particularly in the Ten Commandments as their content is repeated in
the New Testament. In wrestling with current moral problems, the
Christian will therefore seek answers from God�s law.
3. We believe, for example, that the Fifth Commandment teaches that
all human life is a gift from God. This commandment speaks against
abortion, suicide, and euthanasia (�mercy killing�).
4. We believe that the Sixth Commandment regulates marriage and the
family. God instituted marriage as a lifelong union of one man and
one woman (Matthew 19:4-6). It is the only proper context for sexual
intimacy and the procreation of children. A marriage can be ended
without sin only when God ends the marriage through the death of one
of the spouses. Nevertheless, a Christian may obtain a divorce if
his or her spouse has broken the marriage through adultery (Matthew
19:9) or malicious desertion (1 Corinthians 7:15). The Sixth
Commandment forbids all sexual intimacy apart from marriage,
including homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9,10).
5. We believe that individuals are free to make their own decisions
concerning matters that are neither forbidden nor commanded by God�s
Word (adiaphora). People must be careful, however, that their use of
this freedom does not cause others to sin.
6. We believe that good works, which are fruits of faith, must be
distinguished from works of civic righteousness performed by
unbelievers. Although unbelievers may do much that appears to be
good and upright, these works are not good in God�s sight, for
�without faith it is impossible to please God� (Hebrews 11:6).
While we recognize the value of such works for human society, we
know that unbelievers cannot do their duty to God through works of
civic righteousness.
7. We believe that in this world even the best works of Christians
are tainted with sin. A sinful nature still afflicts every
Christian. Therefore Christians often fail to do the good they want
to do but keep on doing the evil they do not want to do (Romans
7:18-21). They must confess that all their righteous acts are like
filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Because of Christ�s redemption, however,
these imperfect efforts of Christians are considered holy and
acceptable by their heavenly Father.
8. We believe that the Holy Spirit enables every believer to produce
good works as fruits of faith (Galatians 5:22-25). The Holy Spirit
gives every believer a new nature, or �new man,� that cooperates
with the Holy Spirit in doing good works. The Holy Spirit uses the
gospel to motivate believers to do good works.
9. The Holy Spirit also equips the church with all the spiritual
gifts it needs for its well-being (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). During
the beginning of the New Testament era, special charismatic gifts
were given to the church, such as signs, miracles, and speaking in
tongues. These gifts were connected with the ministry of the
apostles (2 Corinthians 12:12). There is no evidence in Scripture
that we today should expect the continuation of such charismatic gifts.
10. We believe that a life of prayer is a fruit of faith.
Confidently, through faith in their Savior, Christians address their
heavenly Father with petitions and praise. They present their needs
and the needs of others, and they give thanks (1 Timothy 2:1). Such
prayers are a delight to God, and he grants their requests according
to his wisdom (Matthew 7:7,8; 1 John 5:14).
11. We reject every thought that the good works of Christians in any
way earn or contribute toward establishing a right relationship with
God and gaining salvation in heaven.
12. We reject every attempt to abolish the unchanging moral law of
God as revealed in the Bible as the absolute standard of what is
right and wrong.
13. We reject the view that people may decide for themselves what is
right and wrong apart from God�s Word. We reject any misuse of the
term love to condone behavior contrary to God�s Word. We recognize
these arguments as schemes of Satan to obscure the knowledge of
God�s holy will and to undermine the consciousness of sin.
14. We reject any view that considers the act of praying a means of
grace. Although God certainly gives good gifts to believers in
answer to their prayers, he conveys his forgiving grace and
strengthens faith only through the Word and sacraments. Furthermore,
we reject any view that looks upon prayer as beneficial only because
it helps the one who prays feel better.
15. We reject the view that all prayers are acceptable to God, and
we hold that the prayers of all who do not have faith in Christ are
vain babbling addressed to false gods (Matthew 6:7).
This is what Scripture teaches about good works and prayer. This we
believe, teach, and confess.
VI. THE MEANS OF GRACE
1. We believe that God bestows all spiritual blessings upon sinners
by special means established by him. These are the means of grace,
the gospel in Word and sacraments. We define a sacrament as a sacred
act established by Christ in which the Word connected with an
earthly element gives the forgiveness of sins.
2. We believe that through the gospel, the good news of Christ�s
atoning sacrifice for sinners, the Holy Spirit works faith in
people, whose hearts are by nature hostile to God (1 Peter 1:23).
Scripture teaches that �faith comes from hearing the message, and
the message is heard through the word of Christ� (Romans 10:17).
This Spirit-worked faith brings about a renewal in sinners and makes
them heirs of eternal life in heaven.
3. We believe that also through the Sacrament of Baptism the Holy
Spirit applies the gospel to sinners, giving them new life (Titus
3:5) and cleansing them from all sin (Acts 2:38). The Lord points to
the blessing of Baptism when he promises, �Whoever believes and is
baptized will be saved� (Mark 16:16). We believe that the blessing
of Baptism is meant for all people (Matthew 28:19), including
infants. Infants are born sinful (John 3:6) and therefore need to be
born again, that is, to be brought to faith, through Baptism (John
3:5).
4. We believe that all who join in the Sacrament of the Lord�s
Supper receive the true body and blood of Christ in, with, and under
the bread and wine (1 Corinthians 10:16). This is true because, when
the Lord instituted this sacrament, he said, �This is my body. This
is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins� (Matthew 26:26,28). We believe that Christ�s
words of institution cause the real presence--not any human action.
As believers receive his body and blood, they also receive the
forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28) and the comfort and assurance
that they are truly his own. Unbelievers also receive Christ�s body
and blood, but to their judgment (1 Corinthians 11:29).
5. We believe that the Lord gave his Word and the sacraments of
Baptism and the Lord�s Supper for a purpose. He commanded his
followers, �Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you� (Matthew
28:19,20). Through God�s Word and sacraments he preserves and
extends the holy Christian church throughout the world. Believers
should therefore be diligent and faithful in the use of these divinely established
means of grace for themselves and in their mission outreach to
others. These are the only means through which immortal souls are
brought to faith and to life in heaven.
6. We reject any views that look for the revelation of the grace of
God and salvation apart from the gospel as found in the Scriptures.
We reject any views that look for the Holy Spirit to work faith
apart from the means of grace. We likewise reject the view that the
law is a means of grace.
7. We reject the view that babies should not be baptized and that
they cannot believe in Christ (Luke 18:15-17). We reject the view
that baptism must be by immersion.
8. We reject all teachings that the Sacrament of the Altar offers
nothing more than signs and symbols of Jesus� sacrifice, thereby
denying that Christ�s true body and blood are received in the Lord�s
Supper. We reject the view that those who eat the body of Christ in
the sacrament merely receive Christ spiritually by faith. We reject
the claim that unbelievers and hypocrites do not receive the true
body and blood of Jesus in the Sacrament.
9. We reject the doctrine of transubstantiation, which teaches that
the substance of the bread and wine are changed entirely into the
body and blood of Christ. Scripture teaches that all communicants
receive both the bread and wine and the body and blood of
Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16).
10. We reject any attempt to set the precise moment within the
celebration of the Lord�s Supper when the body and blood of Christ
become present. We therefore reject the view that one must believe
that Christ�s body and blood are present as soon as the words of
consecration have been spoken and the view that one must believe
that Christ�s body and blood become present only at the moment of
eating and drinking.
This is what Scripture teaches about the means of grace. This we
believe, teach and confess.
VII. CHURCH AND MINISTRY
1. We believe that there is one holy Christian church, which is the
temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16) and the body of Christ (Ephesians
1:23; 4:12). The members of this one church are all those who are
the �sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus� (Galatians 3:26).
The church, then, consists only of believers, or saints, whom God
accepts as holy for the sake of Jesus� righteousness, which has been
credited to them (2 Corinthians 5:21). These saints are scattered
throughout the world. All people who believe that Jesus is their
Savior from sin are members of the holy Christian church, regardless
of the nation, race, or church body to which they belong.
2. We believe that this holy Christian church is a reality, although
it is not an external, visible organization. Because �man looks at
the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart� (1 Samuel
16:7), only the Lord knows �those who are his� (2 Timothy 2:19). The
members of the holy Christian church are known only to God; we
cannot distinguish between true believers and hypocrites. The holy
Christian church is therefore invisible and cannot be identified
with any one church body or with the total membership of all church bodies.
3. We believe that the presence of the holy Christian church
nevertheless can be recognized. Wherever the gospel is preached and
the sacraments are administered, the holy Christian church is
present, for through the means of grace true faith is produced and
preserved (Isaiah 55:10,11). The means of grace, therefore, are
called the marks of the church.
4. We believe that it is the Lord�s will that Christians meet
regularly to build one another up by using the means of grace
together (Hebrews 10:24,25) and to work for the spread of the gospel
into all the world (Mark 16:15). Since these visible gatherings (for
example, congregations and synods) use the means of grace, they are
called churches. They bear this name, however, only because of the
true believers present in them (1 Corinthians 1:2).
5. We believe that God directs believers to acknowledge oneness in
faith with Christians whose confession of faith submits to all the
teachings of Scripture (John 8:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22). We
believe, furthermore, that individuals through their membership in a
church body commit themselves to the doctrine and practice of that
church. To assert that unity exists where there is no agreement in
confession is to presume to look into people�s hearts. Only God can look into
people�s hearts. It is not necessary that all Christians agree on
matters of church ritual or organization. About these the New
Testament gives no commands (Romans 14:17).
6. We believe that those whose confession of faith reveals that they
are united in the doctrines of Scripture will express their
fellowship in Christ as occasion permits (Ephesians 4:3). They may
express their fellowship by joint worship, by joint proclamation of
the gospel, by joining in Holy Communion, by joint prayer, and by
joint church work. God directs believers not to practice religious
fellowship with those whose confession and actions reveal that they
teach, tolerate, support, or defend error (2 John 10,11). When error
appears in the church, Christians will try to preserve their
fellowship by patiently admonishing the offenders, in the hope that
they will turn from their error (2 Timothy 2:25,26; Titus 3:10). But
the Lord commands believers not to practice church fellowship with
people who persist in teaching or adhering to beliefs that are false
(Romans 16:17,18).
7. We believe that every Christian is a priest before God (1 Peter
2:9). All believers have direct and equal access to the throne of
grace through Christ, the mediator (Ephesians 2:17,18). God has
given the means of grace to all believers. All Christians are to
declare the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his
wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). In this sense all Christians are
ministers, or servants, of the gospel. God wants all Christians to
share the message of salvation with other
people (Matthew 28:19,20;10:32).
8. We believe that God has also established the public ministry of
the Word (Ephesians 4:11), and it is the will of God that the
church, in accordance with good order (1 Corinthians 14:40), call
qualified individuals into this public ministry (1 Timothy 3:1-10; 1
Corinthians 9:14). Such individuals minister publicly, that is, not
because as individuals they possess the universal priesthood but
because they are asked to do this in the name of fellow Christians
(Romans 10:15). These individuals are the called servants of Christ
and ministers of the gospel. They are not to be lords over God�s
church (1 Peter 5:3). We believe that when the church calls
individuals into this public ministry, the Lord himself is acting
through the church (Acts 20:28). We believe that the church has the
freedom to establish various forms within the one ministry of the
Word, such as pastors, Christian teachers, and staff ministers.
Through its call, the church in Christian liberty designates the
place and scope of service.
9. We believe that the church�s mission is to serve people with the
Word and sacraments. This service is usually done in local congregations. We
look upon the pastoral office as the most comprehensive form of the
public ministry of the Word. Pastors are trained and called to
provide such comprehensive spiritual oversight for the gathering and
nurturing of souls in congregations (1 Peter 5:2).
10. We believe that women may participate in offices and activities
of the public ministry except where that work involves authority
over men (1 Timothy 2:11,12). This means that women may not serve as
pastors nor participate in assemblies of the church in ways that
exercise authority over men (1 Corinthians 11:3; 14:33-35).
11. We reject any attempt to identify the holy Christian church with
an outward organization. We reject any claim that the church must
function in the world through specific organizational forms.
12. We reject as false ecumenicity any views that look for the true
unity of the church in some form of external or organizational
union, and we oppose all movements toward such union made at the
expense of a clear confession of all the teachings of Scripture. We
reject the contention that religious fellowship may be practiced
without agreement in doctrine and practice. There must be agreement
in the confession of scriptural doctrines, and also one�s actions or
practice must show that error is not tolerated.
13. We reject participation or membership in organizations that have
religious features in conflict with the Christian faith, such as
most lodges.
This is what Scripture teaches about church and ministry. This we
believe, teach, and confess.
VIII. CHURCH AND STATE
1. We believe that not only the church but also the state, that is,
all governmental authority, has been instituted by God. �The
authorities that exist have been established by God� (Romans 13:1).
Christians will, therefore, for conscience� sake obey the government
that rules over them (Romans 13:5) unless that government commands
them to disobey God (Acts 5:29).
2. We believe that God has given the church and the state their own
distinct responsibilities. To the church the Lord has assigned the
responsibility of calling sinners to repentance, of proclaiming
forgiveness through the cross of Christ, and of encouraging
believers in their Christian living. The purpose is to lead the
elect of God to eternal salvation through faith in Christ. To the
state the Lord has assigned the duty of keeping good order and
peace, of punishing the wrongdoer, and of arranging all civil
matters in society (Romans 13:3,4). The purpose is �that we may live
peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness� (1 Timothy 2:2).
3. We believe that the only means God has given to the church to
carry out its assigned purpose are the Word and sacraments (Matthew
28:19,20). People are converted by the Holy Spirit only through the
message of law and gospel, sin and grace, the wrath of God against
sin and the mercy of God in Christ. We believe that the means given
to the state to fulfill its assignment is civil law with its
punishments and rewards, set up and used according to the light of
reason (Romans 13:4). The light of reason includes the natural
knowledge of God, the natural knowledge of the law, and conscience.
4. We believe the proper relation is preserved between the church
and the state only when each remains within its divinely assigned
sphere and uses its divinely entrusted means. The church should not
exercise civil authority nor interfere with the state as the state
carries out its responsibilities. The state should not become a
messenger of the gospel nor interfere with the church in its
preaching mission. The church should not attempt to use the civil
law and force to lead people to Christ. The state should not seek to
govern by means of the gospel. On the other hand, the church and the
state may cooperate in an endeavor as long as each remains within
its assigned place and uses its entrusted means.
5. We believe that Christians are citizens of both realms and serve
God by faithfully fulfilling their duties in both (Romans 13:6,7).
6. We reject any attempt by the state to restrict the free exercise
of religion.
7. We reject any views that look to the church to guide and
influence the state directly in the conduct of its affairs.
8. We reject any attempt on the part of the church to seek the
financial assistance of the state in carrying out its saving
purpose.
9. We reject any views that hold that citizens are free to disobey
such laws of the state with which they disagree on the basis of
personal judgment.
This is what Scripture teaches about church and state. This we
believe, teach, and confess.
IX. JESUS� RETURN AND THE JUDGMENT
1. We believe that Jesus, true God and true man, who rose from death
and ascended to the right hand of the Father, will come again. He
will return visibly, in the same way as his disciples saw him go
into heaven (Acts 1:11).
2. We believe that no one can know the exact time of Jesus� return.
This knowledge is hidden even from the angels in heaven (Matthew
24:36). Nevertheless, our Lord has given signs to his believers to
keep them in constant expectation of his return (Matthew 24:4-14).
He has told them to be alert and to watch so that day will not come
upon them unexpectedly (Luke 21:34).
3. We believe that at Jesus� return this present world will come to
an end. �In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new
heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness� (2 Peter 3:13).
4. We believe that when Jesus returns and his voice is heard
throughout the earth, all the dead will rise, that is, their souls
will be reunited with their bodies (John 5:28,29). Together with
those still living, the resurrected will appear before his throne of
judgment. The unbelievers will be condemned to an eternity in hell.
Those who by faith have been cleansed in the blood of Christ will be
glorified and will live with Jesus forever in the blessed presence
of God in heaven (Philippians 3:21).
5. We reject the teaching that Christ will reign on earth for a
thousand years in a physical, earthly kingdom. This teaching
(millennialism) has no valid scriptural basis and falsely leads
Christians to set their hopes upon an earthly kingdom of Christ
(John 18:36). We reject as unscriptural any claim that Christians
will be physically removed, or �raptured,� from the earth prior to
judgment day. We likewise reject as unscriptural any claim that all
the Jews will be converted in the final days.
6. We reject the teaching that Christians should look for one
individual to arise in the end times as the great Antichrist. The
characteristics of the Antichrist as presented in Scripture have
been and are being fulfilled in the institution of the papacy (2
Thessalonians 2:4-10). We reject the opinion that the identification
of the papacy with the Antichrist was merely a historical judgment
valid only at the time of the Reformation.
7. We reject any denial of a bodily resurrection and of the reality
and eternity of hell. We reject the teaching that the souls of
people who have died return to earth in other bodies (reincarnation)
(Hebrews 9:27).
8. We reject all attempts to interpret the New Testament
descriptions of Jesus� second coming, of the end of the world, and
of the judgment as mere figures of speech for events that take place
not at the end of time but within the ongoing history of the world.
This is what Scripture teaches about Jesus� return and the judgment.
This we believe, teach and confess.
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