Lutherans are Christians who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Lutheranism had its beginnings in 1517, when Martin Luther publicly called for correction of errors in the medieval church, a period in history known as the Reformation. Luther taught that a person is saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (called justification by faith). Lutherans believe that the teachings presented by Luther are faithful to the words and truths of Holy Scripture. Those who followed his teachings were called Lutherans, and the name stuck.

    The teachings of Luther and the reformers (and followers today) can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace alone, Scripture alone, Faith alone.

• Grace alone- God loves the people of the world, even through they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.

• Scripture alone- The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.

• Faith alone- By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.

        Everything that God does for us is a gift of His grace. We can do nothing to better our condition without God's love and gracious help. In God's Word and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper we find the purpose to carry out God's will in our daily life, and to endure the trials and troubles of this life, so that at death we shall be with Christ. At His coming again, we shall enter into the fullness of everlasting life.