What We Believe

The following is a brief summary of the beliefs of the ELCA Lutheran Tradition. For more information about the ELCA Lutheran Tradition, you may visit the ELCA's website where you can find information about What ELCA Lutherans Believe, Frequently Asked Questions About the Lutheran Tradition, and Lutheranism 101. If you have specific questions or would like to speak with a Pastor, please feel free to contact St. Stephen.

Jesus Christ - We believe Jesus is God's son, sent by God to become human like us. In his life and being he broke through the prison of sinfulness and thus restored the relationship of love and trust that God intended to exist between himself and his children. (Read More)

The Bible - We believe the Bible is "the manger in which the Word of God is laid." While Lutherans recognize differences in the way the Bible should be studied and interpreted, it is accepted as the primary and authoritative witness to the church's faith. (Read More)

Sacraments - We believe in two Sacraments as God-given means for penetrating the lives of people with his grace. Although they are not the only means of God's self-revelation, Baptism and Holy Communion are visible acts of God's love. (Read More)

The Trinity - We believe that there is one God eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Sin - We believe that all people live in a condition which is the result of misused freedom. "Sin" describes not so much individual acts of wrongdoing as fractured relationships between the people of creation and God. (Read More)

Salvation - We believe our salvation is through faith alone -- we only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who died to redeem us.

For more information about the ELCA Lutheran Tradition,
you may visit the ELCA's website or Contact St. Stephen.