WHAT DO WE TEACH, BELIEVE AND CONFESS AT CONCORDIA? 

 

THE BIBLE

 

We believe the Holy Scriptures to be the inerrant (without error) Word of God. God the Holy Spirit guided (inspired) His chosen writers to write down His life giving Word (verbal inspiration) .

 

2 Peter 1:21 No prophesy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

 

GOD

 

In the Bible God has revealed himself to be three distinct persons in one divine being: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

Duet. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

 

Matthew 28:10 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

 

SIN

 

God's Word teaches us that when He created Adam and Eve they rebelled against Him and brought death into the world. This rebellion (or sin) has separated every person from God. Sin is every thought, word and action we do that is contrary to God's will as revealed to us in the Ten Commandments. Sin has left everyone without true fear and love for God and has made us spiritually blind, dead and enemies of God.

 

Ephesians 2:1 You were dead in your trespasses and sins.

 

Romans 8:7 The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's Law; indeed it cannot.

 

THE GOOD NEWS

 

The Gospel or the Good News is that Jesus, the Son of God, has freed us from the curse of sin.  On the cross Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world giving all who believe a right relationship with God.  His life, death and resurrection has restored our broken relationship with God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

John 3:16 God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

 

BAPTISM

 

The Greek word for ‘baptize” means wash, applying water by pouring, sprinkling, or immersing.  Jesus commanded his followers to baptize (wash) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  In Christian baptism God connects us to our Saviour Jesus Christ, washing away our sins and giving eternal life.

 

Acts 22:16 Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins.

 

Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.

 

HOLY COMMUNION

 

Just as food and water nourish our bodies with the necessary nutrients to survive, God has given us nourishment to keep us firm in faith toward Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.  In the Lord's Supper Jesus comes to us with his very body and blood in bread and wine for the strengthening of faith in Him and for the forgiveness of sins 

 

Matthew 26:26-28  Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “take, eat; this is my body.”  And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

WORSHIP

 

In worship God invites us to come into His presence, to listen to His Word and to give thanks to Him for all He's done for us in Jesus Christ. Our worship is focused on what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.  Through God's Word and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Communion God gives us the blessings of Jesus. 

 

Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thanksgiving in your hearts to God.