What We Believe
What We Believe is important to us, and we hope that it is important to you, too. The Bible
We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God.
2 Peter 1:21 (NIV)
For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:15 through 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
From infancy you have
known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. John 17:17 (NIV)
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. The Law of God in the Bible teaches us what God expects of us and how
we have not measured up to God's standards. Leviticus 19:2 (NIV)
Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. Romans 3:22 through Romans 3:23 (NIV)
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:20 (NIV)
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. Romans 6:23 (NIV)
For the wages of sin is death. The Gospel message in the Bible teaches us that we are set free from the
condemnation that we deserved because of our sins by the perfect life of
Jesus Christ and the innocent blood he shed on the cross. John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Colossians 2:13 through Colossians 2:14 (NIV)
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Romans 1:16 (NIV)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Luke 2:10 through Luke 2:11 (NIV)
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Baptism
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used by God's command and
connected with God's Word. Matthew 28:18 through Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Baptism works forgiveness of sin, delivers from death and the devil and
gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises
of God declare. Mark 16:15 through Mark 16:16 (NIV)
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. It is certainly not the water that does such things, but God's Word which is in and with the water, and faith which trusts this Word used with the water. For without God's Word the water is just plain water and not Baptism. God's Word makes it a washing through which God graciously forgives our sin and grants us rebirth and a new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4 through Titus 3:7 (NIV)
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Baptism with water means that our Old Adam with his evil deeds and desires
should be drowned by daily contrition and repentance, and die, and that day
by day a new person should arise as from the dead, to live in the presence
of God in righteousness and purity now and forever. Romans 6:4 (NIV)
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Holy Communion (The Lord's Supper)
Holy Communion is the true body and blood of our lord Jesus Christ together
with the bread and wine, instituted by Christ for us Christians to eat and to drink. In this sacrament we receive forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. Matthew 26:26 through Matthew 26:29 (NIV)
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
1 Corinthians 11:23 through 1 Corinthians 11:25 (NIV)
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." Learn More
If you have any questions about our beliefs or becoming a member, please feel free to contact the church office (979.849.2269). Pastor Semro will be happy to answer any questions you might have or to arrange a time to do so with you. If you would like to read more about our doctrine visit WELS - This We Believe. Here you will find a clear picture of what we believe as members of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. A creed is a statement of what a person--or a group of people--believes and teaches. Click Here to to read more about "What is a Creed?"
