What We Believe https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a mission-oriented, Bible-based confession of the Christian faith. It is often described as a "confessional" church, meaning it adheres strictly to the teachings laid out in the 16th-century Book of Concord.
Core Pillars: The Three "Solas"
The LCMS follows the classic Reformation principles that summarize the Gospel:
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone): God loves the world and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem all people. Forgiveness and eternal life are free gifts—not something earned by human effort or good works.
Sola Fide (Faith Alone): These gifts are received through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith itself is seen as a gift of the Holy Spirit, not a personal achievement.
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone): The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the only final authority for Christian doctrine and life.
Key Beliefs and Practices
The Trinity: Belief in one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Sacraments: The LCMS teaches that Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are "means of grace." They believe that in the Lord's Supper, the true body and blood of Christ are really present in, with, and under the bread and wine.
The Nature of Humanity: They teach that all people are born in sin and are unable to save themselves, necessitating Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
The Creeds: The church upholds the three ecumenical creeds: the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds.