WHAT WE BELIEVE . . .

Our Statement of Faith

Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church of Glendora is a member of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. We affirm and identify with the Book of Concord, affirming the teachings therein to be a true and accurate interpretation of Scripture.

The Triune God

We believe in the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

God the Father

We believe that God created the universe in six days. By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made; He spoke and it came into being. By Him, all things were created in heaven and on earth. God lovingly created mankind, and lovingly created a universe to sustain us. He created us to have a holy and loving relationship with Himself and each other. He is All knowing, present everywhere, holy, just, faithful, good, merciful, and gracious, and He daily provides for us all that we need, cares for us, defends us from all danger and guards us from evil.

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was sent by the Father to be our Lord and Savior. Born to the Virgin Mary, Jesus is both fully God and fully human. Jesus suffered and died and bodily rose again three days later to redeem us and rescue us from our sins, death and the power of the devil. The Bible says that God demonstrated his love for us this way: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6). He died a bloody death on the cross to pay for and forgive our sins and bring reconciliation between sinful mankind and God. His resurrection opens the kingdom of heaven to all believers and assures us that we will also experience a bodily resurrection and enjoy eternal life. We believe that Jesus is the only way provided by which people can be saved. The Bible says Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that there is no other name given under heaven by which we may be saved (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12). Those who confess their sins, believe in Jesus, and are baptized will receive eternal life (Mark 16:16).

Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Holy Trinity, true God with the Father and the Son – therefore not merely the power or energy of God. The Holy Spirit calls us to faith through the Gospel, enlightens us, empowers us to live the Christian life, and keeps us in the true faith. In the same way, the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the true faith.

Sanctity of Life

We believe God created human beings in His image, therefore all people have supreme worth and value. Their worth is dependent not on accomplishments or ability, but on God’s love. Because God sees humanity as worth dying for, we honor and defend the sanctity of every human life from the moment of conception throughout life.

Marriage

We believe and affirm that God created humankind male and female, and we affirm the Bible’s teaching that from creation God instituted marriage, the life-long union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:20-24, Mark 10:6-9).

Sin

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There is no one who has lived up to God’s expectations. We acknowledge that humanity is separated from God because of sin. God’s law is summed up in the command to love God with all our hearts, soul and minds, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet, we fail to do this in thought, word, and deed. Because of our sin, we deserve nothing from God but eternal punishment.

Forgiveness

We joyfully proclaim the Good News of forgiveness that comes through God’s Son, Jesus. God sent Jesus not to condemn us, but to save us.

God’s Word

We believe that the Bible from beginning to end is God’s Word. It is true and without error. The entire Bible is God-breathed and God-inspired and is the highest and truest authority for faith and life.

The Church

We believe that the church, both the local congregation and the worldwide fellowship of believers, is the Body of Christ. As His Body, we are called to worship him, receive His forgiveness, serve Him, and join Him in His mission to make disciples of all people.

Baptism

We believe that through the waters of Baptism God initiates and welcomes us into a relationship with Himself. He adopts us into His family, making us His, giving us all the gift of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Through Baptism God gives the gift of new life, not based on our decision, but on God’s. We practice and believe in infant Baptism as it captures the essence of the Gospel – God accepting us before we can accept Him. Learn more about Baptism here.

Holy Communion

We believe that in the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) Jesus gives us His body and blood to eat and to drink together with the bread

and the wine. Through the Lord’s Supper, we receive the forgiveness of sins and our faith is strengthened. Communion also encourages us to live out the Christian life each day, while drawing us closer to God Himself and to one another. When we commune together, members of Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church of Glendora affirm our love for one another, our common faith, unity in belief, and unreserved agreement with the doctrine and practice that is proclaimed from this altar and the teachings of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Learn more about Holy Communion here.

Christ’s Return

We believe in, and joyfully anticipate, the return of Jesus. No one knows the day of His return. At the last day, Jesus will judge all people who have ever lived. His judgment will show his perfect justice and his amazing grace. Believers in Christ will live with him in heaven in perfect happiness forever. Those who die rejecting God’s forgiveness will go to never-ending punishment.

Membership Philosophy

We believe we are not just members of a church; we are Jesus’ disciples. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we learn from God’s word how to be more like Jesus and live out our faith in everyday life as we serve one another, forgive one another, and proclaim the good news of God’s grace.