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The entire Bible, which
points to Jesus as the Savior, is the inspired and holy Word of God. It is
God’s message of love and hope for all people.
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There is only one true God,
who exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
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God is the Creator of
everything that exists.
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Adam and Eve were originally
created by God pure and holy. They lived according to God’s will, doing what
was pleasing to Him. Later, they went against God’s will and brought sin
into the world. Since that time, all people have been conceived and born in
sin.
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Sin is living out of
relationship with God, not living according to God’s will, and transgressing
His holy will in thought, word and deed.
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People cannot save
themselves by their good works or restore themselves to a right relationship
with God.
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God sent His Son, Jesus,
into the world. He is both true God and true man. He lived to fulfill God’s
law for us, died on the cross to pay the penalty our sins deserved, and rose
from the dead so that we might have eternal life. He ascended into heaven,
where He now sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us.
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Because of Jesus’ death on
the cross, God declares all believers just or righteous and forgiven. This
happens not because of human effort, but because the justification won by
Jesus is applied to the one who believes in Jesus as Savior.
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The means of grace are the
Word, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. By these means, the merits of Jesus’
perfect life and atoning death are personally conveyed by the Holy Spirit to
all who believe in Jesus as their Savior.
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Jesus will come again to
take all believers to Himself. On the final day, all the dead will be
raised. Those who are still alive will be bodily transformed. After this,
the final judgment will take place. Unbelievers will go into eternal
damnation, and believers into eternal life.
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The true Christian church is
made up of all believers of all times who believe and trust in Jesus Christ
as their personal Lord and Savior.
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God wants Christians to join
with other believers in churches that correctly teach God’s Word and
administer Holy Baptism and Holy Communion according to the teachings of
Scripture.
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Christians are called to
tell others that the only way of salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, and
to show their faith by their deeds of love towards others.