The Word of God and Our Confession of the Faith
We believe the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God, and sole authority for doctrine and life (1 Timothy 3:16).
We joyfully confess the doctrinal content of the Book of Concord of 1580 because it is true and in accord with God’s holy Word. The Small Catechism of Martin Luther is a lay summary of the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions.
The Lord God is Our Creator
The Lord God is the Creator of the world (Genesis 1:1). God Himself spoke through the Word (John 1:1-3, or, “the Logos”) to create the world out of nothing, and to form all creatures into existence during the six days of creation. All things were made through the Word. At the same time, the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters at creation (Genesis 1). The Trinity is further hinted at in creation, “Let Us make man in our image.” (Genesis 1:26-28).
The blessing of Aaron, the priest also points to the three persons of the Godhead, “The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6). The “LORD” is mentioned three times. This is no accident, but hints at the unique nature of the Triune God.
The Trinity was more clearly revealed in the New Testament. In Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan River, John lowered Jesus into the waters. At that moment, the Holy Spirit descended on our Lord Jesus, and rested on Him (Matthew 3:16). Jesus is anointed for His work as Messiah. The Father spoke in approval of His Son from heaven, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17).
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were clearly revealed in this magnificent event, by which we know God to be Three-in-One, and One-in-Three. In the sanctuary at Bethlehem, there is a stained-glass window which highlights the distinction between the Persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each week we confess the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed. We also confess the Athanasian Creed every year, which is a description of the Holy Trinity and the two natures in Christ, God and man.
Christians are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). This Baptism, “does now save you” (1 Peter).
Salvation in Christ and His Work
We confess that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, who invites sinners to come to Him and remain in His presence (Luke 15:2). Christ invites sinners to repent of their sin and trust in Him for salvation (Luke 15:7, 10). Our heavenly Father continues to welcome sinners back into His fold, and to sustain faith by His Word of Law and Gospel.
We continue receive divine life from God’s Word. Christians live on preaching of the Word of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18). We believe that Christ died to atone for the sins of the whole world. Christ was a “ransom” for the sins of the many (Matthew 20:28). We believe that Christ rose from the grave, conquering sin, death, and the devil for us. He won salvation for the whole world.
The Gospel and the Justification of the Ungodly
The heart of the Gospel is that God continues to justify sinners, as St. Paul says, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28). This faith is counted as righteousness, as it was for Abraham (Romans 4:3). St. Paul adds, “And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” (Romans 4:5).
Christ’s Means of Grace: Word, Baptism, and Lord’s Supper
God continues to work through His Word and Sacraments. He works through baptism to rescue infants, and give them the washing of rebirth and renewal in Christ Jesus.
We believe that Christ serves us His true Body and Blood in the Lord’s Supper by the power of His holy Word. Our congregation lovingly practices closed communion (1 Corinthians 11), ensuring that those who are repentant of their sin and hungering for Christ receive the Lord’s Supper.
Those who are not members of our fellowship are asked to wait until they have taken “Adult Instruction Class,” before receiving communion at Bethlehem. This class is offered frequently throughout the year, and upon request of Pastor Loeslie.
The Last Things
Christ will come again to judge “the living and the dead” (Matthew 25). We believe that Jesus’ return will be instantaneous. Those who reject Christ, the goats, will go to hell, and those who believe in Christ, the sheep, will be ushered into His presence (Matthew 25).
We believe that the millenium of Revelation 20 has begun already in the suffering and death of Christ. That millenium refers to the age of the Church, which we are already in. The end days began with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We confess with Jesus, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4).
We invite Christians who believe these to come and visit with Pastor Loeslie. We offer ongoing opportunities for adult instruction in the Christian faith. Adult Instruction at Bethlehem Lutheran Church is offered by appointment frequently throughout the year.
We believe the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God, and sole authority for doctrine and life (1 Timothy 3:16).
We joyfully confess the doctrinal content of the Book of Concord of 1580 because it is true and in accord with God’s holy Word. The Small Catechism of Martin Luther is a lay summary of the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions.
The Lord God is Our Creator
The Lord God is the Creator of the world (Genesis 1:1). God Himself spoke through the Word (John 1:1-3, or, “the Logos”) to create the world out of nothing, and to form all creatures into existence during the six days of creation. All things were made through the Word. At the same time, the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters at creation (Genesis 1). The Trinity is further hinted at in creation, “Let Us make man in our image.” (Genesis 1:26-28).
The blessing of Aaron, the priest also points to the three persons of the Godhead, “The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6). The “LORD” is mentioned three times. This is no accident, but hints at the unique nature of the Triune God.
The Trinity was more clearly revealed in the New Testament. In Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan River, John lowered Jesus into the waters. At that moment, the Holy Spirit descended on our Lord Jesus, and rested on Him (Matthew 3:16). Jesus is anointed for His work as Messiah. The Father spoke in approval of His Son from heaven, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17).
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were clearly revealed in this magnificent event, by which we know God to be Three-in-One, and One-in-Three. In the sanctuary at Bethlehem, there is a stained-glass window which highlights the distinction between the Persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each week we confess the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed. We also confess the Athanasian Creed every year, which is a description of the Holy Trinity and the two natures in Christ, God and man.
Christians are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). This Baptism, “does now save you” (1 Peter).
Salvation in Christ and His Work
We confess that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, who invites sinners to come to Him and remain in His presence (Luke 15:2). Christ invites sinners to repent of their sin and trust in Him for salvation (Luke 15:7, 10). Our heavenly Father continues to welcome sinners back into His fold, and to sustain faith by His Word of Law and Gospel.
We continue receive divine life from God’s Word. Christians live on preaching of the Word of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18). We believe that Christ died to atone for the sins of the whole world. Christ was a “ransom” for the sins of the many (Matthew 20:28). We believe that Christ rose from the grave, conquering sin, death, and the devil for us. He won salvation for the whole world.
The Gospel and the Justification of the Ungodly
The heart of the Gospel is that God continues to justify sinners, as St. Paul says, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28). This faith is counted as righteousness, as it was for Abraham (Romans 4:3). St. Paul adds, “And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” (Romans 4:5).
Christ’s Means of Grace: Word, Baptism, and Lord’s Supper
God continues to work through His Word and Sacraments. He works through baptism to rescue infants, and give them the washing of rebirth and renewal in Christ Jesus.
We believe that Christ serves us His true Body and Blood in the Lord’s Supper by the power of His holy Word. Our congregation lovingly practices closed communion (1 Corinthians 11), ensuring that those who are repentant of their sin and hungering for Christ receive the Lord’s Supper.
Those who are not members of our fellowship are asked to wait until they have taken “Adult Instruction Class,” before receiving communion at Bethlehem. This class is offered frequently throughout the year, and upon request of Pastor Loeslie.
The Last Things
Christ will come again to judge “the living and the dead” (Matthew 25). We believe that Jesus’ return will be instantaneous. Those who reject Christ, the goats, will go to hell, and those who believe in Christ, the sheep, will be ushered into His presence (Matthew 25).
We believe that the millenium of Revelation 20 has begun already in the suffering and death of Christ. That millenium refers to the age of the Church, which we are already in. The end days began with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We confess with Jesus, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4).
We invite Christians who believe these to come and visit with Pastor Loeslie. We offer ongoing opportunities for adult instruction in the Christian faith. Adult Instruction at Bethlehem Lutheran Church is offered by appointment frequently throughout the year.