The Scriptures are inspired. The Spirit guided the writing of the prophets and apostles, so that the Bible is truly the Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, for God does not lie or err. The Holy Scriptures are the only infallible rule and norm for Christian doctrine.

Additional Reading: Epitome Rule and Norm

The Holy Scriptures contain two basic messages: the Law and the Gospel. The Law is the good will of God. The main function of the Law is to reveal our sin and to condemn us. The Gospel is the Good News about Jesus—that God forgives us for the sake of Christ. The Gospel delivers the forgiveness of sins and ignites faith inside the heart.

Additional Reading: Epitome V

There is only one God, who eternally exists as three divine Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. While the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are truly distinct Persons, they are one in essence, attributes, and will.

Additional Reading: Augsburg Confession I and Smalcald Articles I:1

God created the world in six days. Originally, this world was very good.

God created human beings, so that He might cultivate and care for creation through humanity. Humans are the representatives of God on earth. Every human being has a material body and an immaterial soul.

Additional Reading: Large Catechism II:1-24

Every human is sinful from the moment of conception. We do not fear, love, or trust in God above all things. We do not love our neighbor as ourselves. Since we break the Law, we are justly sentenced to death and eternal damnation. The Devil enticed Adam and Eve to sin, and he continues to tempt us to sin and terrorize us with the fear of death.

Additional Reading: Augsburg Confession II and Smalcald Articles II:1

Jesus is fully God and fully man simultaneously. He obeyed the Law as our substitute and then died in our place. Jesus was crucified to reconcile the whole world to God. By rising from the dead, our Lord has overcome death and has disarmed the Devil.

Additional Reading: Augsburg Confession III and Smalcald Articles I:4

Sinners do not seek God. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit calls us by the Gospel and converts us. Faith is dependence on Jesus and a living confidence that he will save us.

We are justified by faith alone. In other words, those who believe in Jesus are truly accepted by God and forgiven. Our good works do not merit God’s favor or contribute to our salvation.

Additional Reading: Augsburg Confession IV and Epitome II

God does require good works, although they do not save us. When a person truly believes in Jesus, he will begin to love God and delight in the Law. He will gladly do good works, because he knows that they please the Father and serve our neighbor.

Even though the Christian desires to serve his Lord, his nature is still corrupted by sin. And so, the Christian Life is a struggle against the flesh. No Christian achieves perfection in this life. Every day we must pray, “Forgive us our trespasses.”

Additional Reading: Augsburg Confession VI and Epitome IV

Baptism is a sacred bath instituted by Jesus consisting of plain water connected to God’s Word. Baptism is a spiritual birth and what brings us into the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit uses Baptism to give us the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. Since the Kingdom of God belongs to infants and since we are conceived in sin, we baptize our babies.

Additional Reading: Augsburg Confession IX and Large Catechism IV

The Lord gives the Keys to his Church. The Church calls certain men to wield the Keys in the stead of Christ. These pastors can deliver forgiveness to the repentant and withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant.

We practice Private Confession, in which Christians confess their sins privately to their pastor and receive absolution (i.e. forgiveness). Private Confession is a precious tradition that alleviates consciences crushed by guilt.

Additional Reading: Smalcald Articles II:7 and Augsburg Confession XXV

Our Lord instituted this sacred meal, through which he feeds us his actual body and blood hidden beneath ordinary bread and wine. He gives us his crucified body and his shed blood as a token and pledge of his grace, so that we might know that he died for us. We receive the forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of the Altar. Also, the Sacrament nourishes our faith and strengthens our union with Christ and his Church.

We celebrate the Lord’s Supper every Sunday and on special Feast Days. We only give the Sacrament to Christians who have been prepared through instruction and who are in fellowship with us.

Additional Reading: Augsburg Confession X, Smalcald Articles III:6, and Epitome VII

The Christian Church is the people of God consisting of all believers. The Church can be found wherever the Word and the Sacraments are found.

The risen Lord appoints certain men to serve the churches as his representatives. These pastors are called to teach the Faith, to rebuke false doctrine, to administer the Sacraments, and to care for our Lord’s lambs.

Additional Reading: Augsburg Confession Article V, Article VII, Article VIII, and Article XIV

Jesus will return on an unknown date. He will resurrect all of the dead. He will judge mankind. Those who put their faith in Christ will receive eternal life in the New Creation. All unbelievers will be condemned.

Additional Reading: Augsburg Confession XVII