This is What You Will Find Among Us:

The Bible preached as what it is -- the living Word of the living God; not the preaching of social, political, theological or ethical opinions of men.

Man acknowledged as he is --born in sin, prone to error and doomed to hell unless rescued by God Himself; not man morally capable of redeeming himself.

Jesus Christ worshiped as the Son of God made flesh to
redeem lost and condemned mankind; not a Christ molded to
accommodate the modern mind.

God confessed as He has revealed Himself : Father, Son and
Holy Ghost--three divine Persons, one divine Essence; not some
god fashioned either by the hand or mind of man.

Salvation proclaimed by grace through faith in the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus; not by the works or efforts or striving of man.

The Gospel preached and the Sacraments administered as
the means of grace whereby the Holy Spirit creates and preserves
faith; not self induced religious experience or any so-called faith
apart from that which is created by the Spirit through the Gospel.

The Church accepted in faith as the congregation of believers
--the creation of the Spirit of God; not a human organization subject
to the manipulations of men.

The business of the church considered to be the preaching
of forgiveness for the the regeneration of individuals unto eternal
life; not the redemption of the world to conform to some social
pattern of men.

Ecumenism as Spirit-created unity in the Gospel; not as
"agreement to disagree' for the sake of political power,
organization or the demands of expediency.

Christian liberty in all that is neither commanded nor
forbidden by our Lord in His Word.

A Comparison of Teachings
"Test the spirits whether they are of God; 
because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
(1 John 4:1).

From its beginning our congregation has been determined to teach only what is "of God," that is, teachings that are recorded in the BIBLE, which is GOD'S WORD. We call ourselves Lutheran because we hold to the historic Lutheran teachings. The BIBLE is the only source for these teachings. 

Here are some examples of what the Bible teaches, in contrast to the errors that are taught by many groups, including "Lutherans". 

The Way to Heaven "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 3:23.  "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord," Romans 6:23.   "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  Because I live, you shall live also," John 14:6.  "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life," John 3:16. 

Bible Teaching: Jesus is the only way to heaven. Those who die without faith in Him are eternally lost in hell.

False Teaching: Sincere followers of non-Christian religions may get to heaven, even without believing in Jesus.

Inspiration "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work," 1 Timothy 3:16.  "When you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God," 1 Thessalonians 2:13.   "Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit," 2 Peter 1:21.

Bible Teaching:   The Bible is the inspired Word of God in its entirety, without error or contradiction. 

False Teaching:   The Bible is a book written by fallible men and therefore subject to error.

Creation "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," Genesis 1:1.  "For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day," Exodus 20:11.  "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible," Colossians 1:16.

Bible Teaching: The one almighty and Triune God created the world and everything in it, including man, in six ordinary days. 

False Teaching:   All things have come into being by a process of evolution.  Man has evolved from lower forms of life.

Church Fellowship "That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ," 1 John 1:3.  "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment," 1 Corinthians 1:10.  "Can two walk together unless they are agreed?" Amos 3:3.  "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men," Matthew 15:9.  "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them," Romans 16:17.

Bible Teaching:   Every teaching in the Bible is important.  Therefore Christians should pray and worship only with those church groups and individuals who follow the Bible teaching and avoid all false teaching.

False Teaching:   Some teachings in the Bible are either unclear or unimportant.  Therefore Christians may pray or worship with groups or individuals who support teachings that are contrary to the Bible.

We believe that Christians ought to be concerned about upholding the truth and rejecting all false teachings. Our Lord Jesus promises: "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."  

Created by Gethsemane Ev. Lutheran Church of Saginaw, MI
Last Modified on 09/22/05