What We Believe
What We Believe Park View Lutheran Church is a Bible-based and Christ-centered congregation. We hold to the historic teachings of the Lutheran Church as found in the Book of Concord. Here is a brief summary of what we believe.
God and Creation We believe that the one true God is three-in-one. God is one (Deut. 6:4) and yet there are three Persons (Matt. 28:19): Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity). God is without beginning and without end (Ps.90:1-2). He created the universe out of nothing with the power of His spoken word (Heb. 11:3) and continues to protect and provide for His creation (Col.1:17).
The Bible We believe that every word in the Bible is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16). The Old and New Testament Scriptures are without error (John 17:17). They have been handed down to us from the inspired prophets and apostles (2 Pet.1:19-21) for our teaching. The main purpose of the Bible is to proclaim the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31).
Mankind and Sin We believe that ever since Adam and Eve’s fall into sin (Gen.3), every person has been conceived and born with a sinful condition (Ps.51:5). Our human nature is so corrupt that we are spiritually blind (2 Cor. 4:1-4), dead (Eph. 2:1-5) and enemies of God (Rom.5:6-10). It is impossible to please God through our own efforts or good works.
Jesus Christ We believe that God took on human flesh and blood in the person of Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:14). Jesus is true God, eternally begotten of the Father (1 John 5:20), and also true man (1 Tim.2:5), born of the Virgin Mary. By His perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross, He won complete forgiveness of sins and eternal life for every human being who has ever lived and will live (John 3:16). He rose bodily from the dead (Luke 24:6-7), ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9), and reigns at the right hand of God as Lord of all (Eph. 1:19-23). We wait for His glorious return on the Last Day when He will judge the living and the dead (Matt.25:31-32).
Faith and the Holy Spirit We believe that faith is God’s gracious gift to the sinner (Eph.2:8).Through the Law (God’s commands and threats of punishment), the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and drives us to repentance (Rom.3:19-20). Through the Gospel (God’s mercy and forgiveness in Christ), the Holy Spirit leads us to faith (1Cor.2:9-10). Faith in Christ alone saves us from the Father’s wrath (Rom. 10:9). In joyful response to God’s love, the Holy Spirit enables us to bear the fruit of faith in our lives (Gal.5:22-23).
The Church and Its Ministry We believe that the Christian Church is the community of believers who have come to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Acts 2:42). So that God’s people may continue to grow in their faith, Christ has instituted the office of the Pastoral Ministry (1 Pet.5:1-3). Pastors are called to preach God’s Word faithfully and administer the Sacraments (2 Tim.4:2). All members of the church are privileged to share the Good News of Jesus with others in word and deed (1 Pet.2:9).
The Sacraments We believe that Jesus has given His people “a delivery system” to build up His church. Holy Baptism is water applied in the name of the Triune God (Matt.28:19) which delivers God’s grace and the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). God desires that all nations be baptized, including infants, and be brought into a saving faith relationship with Him (Titus 3:4-7). Holy Communion is the very body and blood of Christ, given in, with and under bread and wine, for Christians to eat and drink, for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor.10:16). Baptism creates faith. The Lord’s Supper nurtures our faith.
Eternal Life We believe that death will not have the last word for those who belong to Jesus Christ (John 11:25-26). Because of God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone we are assured that we will live eternally with Him and all believers. Just as Jesus physically rose from the dead on the third day, all who believe in Him will be raised to everlasting life (Dan. 12:2-3).