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The Holy Trinity

“…Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” Matthew 28:19–20

We learned from our pastors in Confirmation Class that God is triune. We also learned that the word triune means ‘three in one.’ We believe that God is triune because He has revealed that to us in His Word, the Bible—not because we can comprehend this truth or fit it into our little heads.We would do well to remember that God doesn’t ask us to comprehend Him, but only that we take Him at His Word and trust Him. The triune nature of God is a truth that can be appropriated only by faith. Jesus describes God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is God (2 Corinthians 1:3); the Son is God (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:8-9); and the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4).Read More »The Holy Trinity

God’s Sacred Institution

It happened one hundred years ago on April 15, 1912. The newly commissioned steamer, the RMS Titanic, struck an iceberg and foundered in the north Atlantic Ocean. Among the passengers was an elderly couple, Isidor and Ida Straus, who had been married forty-one years. As the doomed ship sank slowly but surely into the sea, Isidor and Ida were seen standing near a lifeboat. The officer in charge urged them to climb on board, but Isidor refused to do so as long as there were women and children still remaining on the ship. Isidor urged his wife to get into the lifeboat, but she declined. “We have lived together for many years,” she said. “Where you go, I go.” They were among the drowning victims of the Titanic disaster.

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Looking after the Interests of Others

Matthew Chapters Five through Seven

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your Yes be Yes, and your No, No. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” Matthew 5:33-42Read More »Looking after the Interests of Others

Apologetics

Apologetics — Should We Even Be Doing This?

“The Bible needs no defense.” “God’s Word will take care of itself. So who are we to think that our puny efforts and inadequate reasoning could help defend God’s almighty Word?” On the other hand, since God also promises to give us our daily bread, should I therefore say, “Since what God says will always come to pass, who am I to think that the Lord needs me to provide for my family?” Or even: “Why evangelize? Does God need me to preach His Word when He could have the rocks cry out if He so chose?” (Luke 19:40)Read More »Apologetics

This We Believe

475th Anniversary of the SMALCALD ARTICLES

“…The Word of God shall establish articles of faith and no one else, not even an angel.” (Luther, SA, Part II, Art. II) 3.Of Cloisters/The Papacy

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). There is only one way of salvation–justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins. The Biblical teaching of justification by faith in Jesus Christ is like the bright beam of a lighthouse showing the way to God. The false teachings and practices within visible Christendom are like a thick smoke screen that obscures the light of the gospel and leads people to shipwreck on the rocks of work-righteousness.Read More »This We Believe

The Book of Concord

The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church [Tappert Edition]

Excerpts from THE SMALCALD ARTICLES Part II, Article IV. Of The Papacy

1. “The pope is not the head of all Christendom by divine right or according to God’s Word, for this position belongs only to one, namely, to Jesus Christ. … Hence it follows that all the things that the pope has undertaken and done on the strength of such false, mischievous, blasphemous, usurped authority have been and still are purely diabolical transactions and deeds…which contribute to the destruction of the entire holy Christian church (in so far as this lies in his power) and come into conflict with the first, fundamental article which is concerned with redemption in Jesus Christ.” (#’s 1&3)Read More »The Book of Concord

This We Believe

A Review of Dr. Martin Luther’s  Smalcald Articles

2. Of The Mass

The faithfulness of an individual’s or a church’s doctrinal confession depends on its foundation. A set of beliefs that begins with false premises and man-made ideas is sure to end up in error.Read More »This We Believe

Ascension Joy

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

So says Juliet to her love, Romeo, as they part ways for the evening. It was a sorrow for Juliet to part with her loved one for a time, but it was made sweet for her when she realized she would be able to see him in the morning.Read More »Ascension Joy

It’s the Heart that Matters

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”  Matthew 5:27-30 (NIV)Read More »It’s the Heart that Matters