BLC

Why we do what we do?

What do we believe?

LUTHERAN CONFESSION OF FAITH

Why we do what we do?
1. Allegiance to the Lordship of Christ
We believe that Christ is the head of the church and the Lord of our lives. We choose to follow His will, His ways and His word. (Ephesians 1:22-23; Mark 1:17; Matthew 7:21; Revelation 1:8)

2. Living by Gods Grace
We believe that we are saved by grace and live by grace alone. We are assured that we are accepted for who we are, given the power to overcome sin and are empowered by His Spirit to live a good life.(Romans 3:24, 5:1-2; 6:14; Ephesians 2:8-9; Numbers 6:24-26)

3. Godly Servant Leadership
We believe that God raises up godly men and women to take leadership of the church and serve his purposes by leading his people with a servant heart, a biblical vision & mission, kingdom values and team ministry. (Matthew 20:26-28; John 13:1-17; Romans 12:8;
Acts 6:2-5; Ephesians 4)

4. Biblical Preaching & Teaching
We believe that all preaching and teaching must be faithful to the scriptures and communicated relevantly for the purposes of life change.(2 Tim 3:16-17; James 1:23-25; Romans 12:7;)

5. Authenticity
We believe that true humanity should be experienced by refusing to live in falsehood, being real, and living an integrated life with honesty and integrity. (Ephesians 4:25-26. 32; Hebrews 12:1; Phil 1:6)

6. Passionate Worship
We believe that we are called to worship him wholeheartedly, creatively and excellently. This should be emphasized in our personal lives as well as in our corporate worship. (Matt 22:37; Romans 12:1; Colossians 3:16-17; Psalms )

7. Loving Community
We believe that the church is our first family and we need to build a community that is characterized by unity, care, support, growth and accountability. This should overflow into our families and relationship with friends. (Acts 2: 42-47, John 15:12; 1 Corinthian 13; John 13:34-35)

8. A Heart for People
We believe that people matter to God and they need to be welcomed, accepted, encouraged, affirmed and invited to follow Christ. (Matt 22:39; Matt 28:18-20;Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15; Matt. 18:14)

9. Prayer
We believe that prayer should permeate every aspect of our lives thus enabling us to cultivate intimacy with God and a commitment to intercede for others.(1 Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 6:5-15, 7:7-11; Eph 6:18; 1 Tim 2:1-2 )

10. Life in the Spirit
We believe that only the Holy Spirit can bring about lasting changes in the lives of people. He is the one who helps us grow into Christ-like maturity and equips us with gifts to serve God effectively. (Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12)

11. Kingdom Lifestyle
We believe that we who live in the reign of God should live according to a different set of values as demonstrated in the life of Jesus, the early church and taught in the scriptures. (Matt 5-7; Exodus 20; Philippians 2:1-11; 2 Corinthians. 8:7)

top

What do we believe?

THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

top

LUTHERAN CONFESSION OF FAITH

Section 1
We confess Jesus Christ as Lord of the Church. The Holy Spirit creates and sustains the Church through the Gospel and thereby unites believers with their Lord, and with one another in the fellowship of faith.

Section 2
We hold that the Gospel is the revelation of Gods sovereign will and saving grace in Jesus Christ. In Him, the Word incarnate, God imparts Himself to humans.

Section 3
We acknowledge the Holy Scriptures as the norm of the faith and life of the church. The Holy Scriptures are the divinely inspired record of Gods redemptive act in Christ, for which the Old Testament prepared the way and which the New Testament proclaims. In the continuation of this proclaimation in the Church, God still speaks through the Holy Scriptures and realizes His redemptive purpose generation after generation.

Section 4
We accept the Apostles, the Nicene, and the Athanasian creeds as true declarations of the faith of the Church.

Section 5
We accept the Unaltered Augsburg Confession and Luthers Small Catechism as true witnesses to the Gospel, and acknowledge as one with us in faith and doctrine all churches that likewise accept the teachings of these symbols.

Section 6
We accept the other symbolic books of the evangelical Lutheran Church, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, Luthers large Cathechism, and the Formula of Concord, as further valid interpretations of the Confession of the Church.

Section 7
We affirm that the Gospel transmitted by the Holy Scripture, to which the creeds and confession bear witness, is the true treasure of the Church, the substance of its proclamation, and the basis of its unity and continuity. The Holy Spirit uses the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments to create and sustain the Christian faith and fellowship. As this occurs, the Church fulfills its divine mission and purpose.

top