God's Word
We believe that the Bible is God's inspired Word (2 Peter 1:20-21) and is completely free from error (John 17:17). As such, we believe that God's Word is sufficient for faith, for attaining salvation, and for guiding us to godly living (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We reject any notion which suggests that the entire Bible is not God's inspired and inerrant Word.
Sin
We believe that all people are conceived and born sinful (Psalm 51:5) and that they commit many sins throughout all their lives (1 John 1:8). Because of this sin all people deserve death (Romans 6:23) and eternal punishment in hell (2 Thessalonians 1:9). We reject any notion which suggests that babies are born free of guilt or that any person may attain perfection in this earthly life.
Grace
We believe that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to make atonement for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). By his perfect life (Galatians 4:4-5) and innocent death (Ephesians 1:7) Jesus has made satisfaction for the sins of the world (John 1:29). We reject any notion which suggests that Jesus only died for the sins of some.
The Means of Grace
We believe that God uses means or tools to deliver his forgiveness to the individual (Romans 10:17). The means God uses to deliver forgiveness are his Word (Romans 1:16), holy baptism (Acts 2:38), the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26-28), and holy absolution (John 20:23). We reject any notion which suggests that God grants forgiveness apart from these means.
Holy Baptism
We believe that in holy baptism, God grants new life (Titus 3:5), forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and eternal life in heaven (1 Peter 3:21). We do baptize infants because they need the grace baptism offers (Psalm 51:5). We believe that immersion, pouring, and sprinkling are all valid modes of baptizing since God has simply commanded us to baptize (Matthews 28:19). We reject any notion which would suggest that baptism is merely a symbolic washing.
The Lord's Supper
We believe that in the Lord's Supper Jesus gives his true body and blood with bread and wine to all who eat and drink (1 Corinthians 10:16). In this Supper, Jesus also grants the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28). We reject any notion which would suggest that the Lord's Supper is merely a meal by which we remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
God
We believe in the Triune God, who is three distinct persons (2 Corinthians 13:14) and yet one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). We reject any notion which denies this Trinity.
Jesus
We believe that Jesus is the eternal Son of God (John 1:1-2). We also believe that Jesus took on human flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary (Matthews 1:18-23). As such, we believe that Jesus is true God and true man (Colossians 2:9). We reject any notion which denies or diminishes this unity of Jesus' human and divine natures.
Creation
We believe that God created the world by his almighty power (Psalm 33:6-9) in six, twenty-four hour days (Genesis 1:2 2:1-2). We reject any notion which suggests that God created the world using evolutionary processes that took millions of years.
Vocation
We believe that God gives many and varied gifts to individuals (Romans 12:6), and that we serve God by simply using the gifts he gives us in our various callings as spouses, parents, workers, students, volunteers, etc. (1 Corinthians 7:17). God is truly pleased with these deeds (Romans 12:1). We reject any notion which suggests that the best or most God-pleasing deeds are performed under the auspices of the church.
Our Confession of Faith
All of this has been taught to us in the Word of God. We believe that the Bible is the true inspired Word of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It cannot err nor lie. It is sufficient for our life here and our eternal salvation. It is also clear and efficacious to do what it says. Since sin has corrupted us, however, mankind has a tendency to add and subtract from God’s holy Word, something God expressly forbids. Because of this, our Lutheran forefathers boldly confessed the truth of God’s Word both as a response to corruptions in the past and as a guide to help prevent more in the future. We here at Calvary confess the same: the three Ecumenical Christian Creeds (the Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian), the Augsburg Confession and its Apology, the Small and Large Catechisms of Dr. Martin Luther, the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, and the Epitome and the Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord. These confessions are all found in the Book of Concord. You can read the Book of Concord here.
