What We Believe - Trinity Lutheran Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

	Trinity Lutheran Church RR#3, 2027 Niagara Stone Road Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0 (905) 468-2611 Pastor: Rev. Larry Ritter rev.lritter@trinitynotl.ca Divine Service: Sunday, 10 AM
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What We Believe The Divine Service The Bible The Gospel The Ten Commandments The Creed The Lord's Prayer Baptism Confession The Lord's Supper Issues, Etc. Links	+ What We Believe + Trinity Lutheran Church is a congregation of Lutheran Church–Canada. We are a confessional Lutheran Church. This means we are catholic (meaning that we confess the wholeness of Christian doctrine) but we are not Roman Catholic. We are evangelical (Gospel-centred) but we are not a part of the modern Evangelical movement. We hold that Jesus Christ was crucified and risen again for the forgiveness of our sins (justification). Our Lord’s death and resurrection is the very centre and core of who we are. Our Lord comes to us to forgive our sins and to give us Himself through the Word of God, preaching, baptism, absolution (forgiveness) and the Lord's Supper. This one, catholic (Christian) and apostolic faith is confessed in the three ecumenical creeds: + The Apostles Creed + The Nicene Creed + The Athanasian Creed This faith is also confessed in the Book of Concord of 1580, including: + The Augsburg Confession + The Apology (Defense) of the Augsburg Confession + The Small Catechism + The Large Catechism + The Smalcald Articles + The Treatise of the Power and Primacy of the Pope + The Formula of Concord — Epitome + The Formula of Concord — Solid Declaration For more information about the above confessions, please see the following sites: + What is a Lutheran? + A Brief Introduction to the Book of Concord + The Lutheran Confessions: What Are They? + Frequently Asked Questions about the Book of Concord + What is the relationship between the Holy Gospel and the Lutheran Confessions? + What is the relationship between the Holy Bible and the Lutheran Confessions? + What is the relationship between the Holy Gospel and the Holy Bible? + The Book of Concord Blog The Book of Concord is the authoritative collection of the Lutheran Church’s statements of faith. It contains documents which Lutheran Christians have used since the sixteenth century to explain, defend, and advance their witness to the truth of God’s Word. If you would like to purchase your own copy of the Book of Concordia, there are two recent English translations available. Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions—A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord—2nd edition Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions is a remarkable achievement in Lutheran publishing. In 800 beautifully presented pages, the reader will find helpful introductions, insightful notes and annotations, and helpful tools and guides to aid reading and comprehension. The dramatic history and heroic persons associated with the various documents in the Lutheran Confessions are brought to life. There are more than 115 black and white and 31 full-color plates illuminating the text of the Confessions. Book of Concord (Editors: Robert Kolb; Timothy J Wengert) This is a translation of the Lutheran Confessions as they are presented in a modern German critical edition. Concordia Publishing House has both editions available for purchase. In summary, according to Holy Scripture, and in the unity of this one holy catholic (Christian) and apostolic Church, and the Lutheran Confessions, we believe, teach, and confess that: + The one and only true God is the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as revealed by Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of the Father, and His prophets, apostles, and evangelists in the Holy Scriptures (Matthew 28:20). + Every human being is conceived and born dead to God, is entirely predisposed to sin, is without inherent fear, love, or trust in God and is lacking in the ability or will to turn toward God, is entirely turned against God and is therefore under the sentence of eternal death and damnation (Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 51:5). + Jesus Christ is true God, eternally begotten of the Father, and at the same time true man, born of the Virgin Mary, and is the only Saviour from sin and the only Mediator between God and humanity (John 1:1-3,14; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 5:20; Acts 4:12) who, by his perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross, has won the entire forgiveness of sins and eternal life for every human being, from the beginning to the end of the world (Romans 3:21-26; Galatians 4:4-5; 2 Corinthains 5:21; 1 John 2:2); who rose bodily from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-5; and who now reigns at the right hand of God as Lord over all (Ephesians 4:10-12) + We are justified, or declared not guilty, in the sight of God and rescued from sin, death, and damnation not by our works but solely by God's undeserved kindness, His grace given as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ, whose perfect life and sacrificial death as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” fully atone for our sins (Romans 3:21-28; Ephesians 2:8; John 1:29). + Good works, prayer, and holiness of life are the fruit of faith in Christ, not the cause of faith or salvation (John 15:5; Hebrews 11:16) + The Holy Church is present wherever believers are gathered about Jesus Christ and His gifts, that is, wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is purely preached and taught, and Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, Holy Communion are administered according to Christ's mandate and institution, even though unbelievers or hypocrites may also be numbered among those gathered (Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:42; Matthew 13:47-48). + Holy Baptism, which is water applied in the Name of the Triune God according to Jesus' mandate and promise, works rebirth and renewal, delivers and applies the forgiveness of sins, joins the baptized to Jesus' death and resurrection, and grants eternal life and salvation to all who believe the promise of salvation attached to Baptism (Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:5; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:25-26; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:11-12; 1 Peter 3:21). + Holy Absolution, which is the forgiveness of sins spoken by the Pastor to a penitent sinner in Jesus' name, actually offers, delivers, and applies the forgiveness of sins to the repentant person with the full authority of the crucified, risen, and reigning Christ (Matthew 16:19; 18:18; John 20:21-23). The word of forgiveness in Holy Absolution is to be heard as Christ our dear Lord speaking to us Himself (Luke 10:16). + Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given under bread and wine, for Christians to eat and drink, instituted by Jesus Christ Himself, for the forgiveness of their sins (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corintians 11:23-26). + The Christian life is one of continual repentance and faith, from which flow good works as the fruit of faith (Matthew 12:33; Luke 24:47). + Our Lord Jesus Christ will appear visibly on the Last Day to raise the bodies of all the dead, to condemn those who reject Him in unbelief together with the devil and his demons to hell and eternal punishment, and to give eternal life to all who trust in Him for forgiveness, life, and salvation (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29). + Holy Scripture, or the Holy Bible, is the written Word of God, is the very “breath of God” and so is without factual error and is the only source and final authority and judge of all teaching, practice, and life. Holy Scripture preaches the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the repentance and faith of the sinner (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:22; Luke 24:47). + The Word of God is a two-fold word—the Law, which reveals our sin and seeks and kills the sinner, and the Gospel, which announces, offers, delivers, and applies the forgiveness of sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, creates faith in Him, and gives new life and identity to the believer in Christ (Romans 1:16; 3:21-22; Galatians 2:19-20)

+ What We Believe +

Trinity Lutheran Church is a congregation of Lutheran Church–Canada. We are a confessional Lutheran Church. This means we are catholic (meaning that we confess the wholeness of Christian doctrine) but we are not Roman Catholic. We are evangelical (Gospel-centred) but we are not a part of the modern Evangelical movement. We hold that Jesus Christ was crucified and risen again for the forgiveness of our sins (justification). Our Lord’s death and resurrection is the very centre and core of who we are. Our Lord comes to us to forgive our sins and to give us Himself through the Word of God, preaching, baptism, absolution (forgiveness) and the Lord's Supper.

This one, catholic (Christian) and apostolic faith is confessed in the three ecumenical creeds:
    + The Apostles Creed
    +    The Nicene Creed
    +    The Athanasian Creed

This faith is also confessed in the Book of Concord of 1580, including:
    +    The Augsburg Confession
    +    The Apology (Defense) of the Augsburg Confession
    +    The Small Catechism
    +    The Large Catechism
    +    The Smalcald Articles
    +    The Treatise of the Power and Primacy of the Pope
    +    The Formula of Concord — Epitome
    +    The Formula of Concord — Solid Declaration

For more information about the above confessions, please see the following sites:
+ What is a Lutheran?
+ A Brief Introduction to the Book of Concord
+ The Lutheran Confessions: What Are They?
+ Frequently Asked Questions about the Book of Concord
+ What is the relationship between the Holy Gospel and the Lutheran Confessions?
+ What is the relationship between the Holy Bible and the Lutheran Confessions?
+ What is the relationship between the Holy Gospel and the Holy Bible?
+ The Book of Concord Blog

The Book of Concord is the authoritative collection of the Lutheran Church’s statements of faith. It contains documents which Lutheran Christians have used since the sixteenth century to explain, defend, and advance their witness to the truth of God’s Word. If you would like to purchase your own copy of the Book of Concordia, there are two recent English translations available.

Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions—A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord—2nd edition
Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions is a remarkable achievement in Lutheran publishing. In 800 beautifully presented pages, the reader will find helpful introductions, insightful notes and annotations, and helpful tools and guides to aid reading and comprehension. The dramatic history and heroic persons associated with the various documents in the Lutheran Confessions are brought to life. There are more than 115 black and white and 31 full-color plates illuminating the text of the Confessions.
Book of Concord (Editors: Robert Kolb; Timothy J Wengert)
This is a translation of the Lutheran Confessions as they are presented in a modern German critical edition.

Concordia Publishing House has both editions available for purchase.

In summary, according to Holy Scripture, and in the unity of this one holy catholic (Christian) and apostolic Church, and the Lutheran Confessions, we believe, teach, and confess that:

    +    The one and only true God is the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as revealed by Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of the Father, and His prophets, apostles, and evangelists in the Holy Scriptures (Matthew 28:20).

    +    Every human being is conceived and born dead to God, is entirely predisposed to sin, is without inherent fear, love, or trust in God and is lacking in the ability or will to turn toward God, is entirely turned against God and is therefore under the sentence of eternal death and damnation (Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 51:5).

    +    Jesus Christ is true God, eternally begotten of the Father, and at the same time true man, born of the Virgin Mary, and is the only Saviour from sin and the only Mediator between God and humanity (John 1:1-3,14; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 5:20; Acts 4:12)

who, by his perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross, has won the entire forgiveness of sins and eternal life for every human being, from the beginning to the end of the world (Romans 3:21-26; Galatians 4:4-5; 2 Corinthains 5:21; 1 John 2:2);

who rose bodily from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-5; and

who now reigns at the right hand of God as Lord over all (Ephesians 4:10-12)

    +    We are justified, or declared not guilty, in the sight of God and rescued from sin, death, and damnation not by our works but solely by God's undeserved kindness, His grace given as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ, whose perfect life and sacrificial death as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” fully atone for our sins (Romans 3:21-28; Ephesians 2:8; John 1:29).

    +    Good works, prayer, and holiness of life are the fruit of faith in Christ, not the cause of faith or salvation (John 15:5; Hebrews 11:16)

    +    The Holy Church is present wherever believers are gathered about Jesus Christ and His gifts, that is, wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is purely preached and taught, and Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, Holy Communion are administered according to Christ's mandate and institution, even though unbelievers or hypocrites may also be numbered among those gathered (Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:42; Matthew 13:47-48).

    +    Holy Baptism, which is water applied in the Name of the Triune God according to Jesus' mandate and promise, works rebirth and renewal, delivers and applies the forgiveness of sins, joins the baptized to Jesus' death and resurrection, and grants eternal life and salvation to all who believe the promise of salvation attached to Baptism (Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:5; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:25-26; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:11-12; 1 Peter 3:21).

    +    Holy Absolution, which is the forgiveness of sins spoken by the Pastor to a penitent sinner in Jesus' name, actually offers, delivers, and applies the forgiveness of sins to the repentant person with the full authority of the crucified, risen, and reigning Christ (Matthew 16:19; 18:18; John 20:21-23). The word of forgiveness in Holy Absolution is to be heard as Christ our dear Lord speaking to us Himself (Luke 10:16).

    +    Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given under bread and wine, for Christians to eat and drink, instituted by Jesus Christ Himself, for the forgiveness of their sins (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corintians 11:23-26).

    +    The Christian life is one of continual repentance and faith, from which flow good works as the fruit of faith (Matthew 12:33; Luke 24:47).

    +    Our Lord Jesus Christ will appear visibly on the Last Day to raise the bodies of all the dead, to condemn those who reject Him in unbelief together with the devil and his demons to hell and eternal punishment, and to give eternal life to all who trust in Him for forgiveness, life, and salvation (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29).

    +    Holy Scripture, or the Holy Bible, is the written Word of God, is the very “breath of God” and so is without factual error and is the only source and final authority and judge of all teaching, practice, and life. Holy Scripture preaches the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the repentance and faith of the sinner (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:22; Luke 24:47).

    +    The Word of God is a two-fold word—the Law, which reveals our sin and seeks and kills the sinner, and the Gospel, which announces, offers, delivers, and applies the forgiveness of sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, creates faith in Him, and gives new life and identity to the believer in Christ (Romans 1:16; 3:21-22; Galatians 2:19-20)