What We Believe

Lord of New Life Lutheran Church (LCMS)
Midland, MI

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

As a member congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, we trace our roots through the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in 1517 to the early church. These Reformation Christians called themselves "evangelicals" because of their commitment to and trust in the "evangelion" (Greek for Gospel or Good News).


The Reformation reaffirmed the Good news that salvation is a gift, by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone. 


Painting: Martin Luther addressing the Diet of Worms. 

Confessional

We are 'confessional' Lutherans, meaning we subscribe to the Book of Concord as our confessional standard.  The Book of Concord does not replace the Bible but we believe it accurately states what the Bible teaches.

 

The Book of Concord is comprised of;

 

  • The Ecumenical Creeds
  • The Augsburg Confession
  • The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
  • The Smalcald Articles
  • The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope
  • The Small Catechism
  • The Large Catechism
  • The Epitome of the Formula of Concord
  • The Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord


For more information, please see Belief and Practice from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.


Law Gospel Distinction

At the heart of Lutheran Theology is the distinction between Law and Gospel. The Law concerns our works for God.  The Gospel, on the other hand, concerns God's works for us, in Christ, for our salvation.  Through the Law we come to know how far we have fallen short of God's demands and his wrath.  In the Gospel we learn of God's total rescue plan of salvation in Christ and His grace.


In Luther's words, "This distinction between Law and Gospel is the supreme art in Christianity, which all who glory in, and bear the Christian name, may and should understand". 


While not a part of the Lutheran confessions, we hold in high regard the famous lecture series by C.F.W. Walther, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel. 


Walther, the first LCMS president, delivered these twenty nine lectures at the St. Louis Concordia Seminary from September 12th, 1884 to November 6th, 1885.



Drawing: C.F.W. Walther

Sacraments as Means of Grace

In contrast to American evangelicalism, we believe that the sacraments of the Lord's Supper and Baptism are not law (works we offer to God) but pure Gospel (Christ's work for us).  In them, God promises and offers us Christ and all the benefits of redemption to be received by faith alone.