What We Believe
“Be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit
just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call
one Lord,
one faith,
one baptism,
one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
(Ephesians 4:1–6, ESV)
As “one body” of believers, we at Ascension and in the CLC endeavor to keep this unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We emphasize unity in the preaching of the gospel, in confession, in teaching, and in fellowship. However it is only by God’s grace through the forgiveness of sins that there is any such unity among us.
“one hope”
– We believe that our “one hope” of eternal life is based on Jesus Christ’s perfect life and innocent death in our place.
– We believe that this “one hope” is God’s gift to the whole world. The death of our Savior paid for the sin of the whole world.
“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:23, 24, ESV)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8, 9, ESV)
“…in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19, ESV)
“one Lord”
– We believe that our “one Lord” is Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
– We believe that by faith our “one Lord” is the only way of salvation.
“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8, ESV)
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:12, ESV)
“one faith”
– We believe that there is no other source of truth than the Bible. It was written by God’s Spirit and is without error.
– We confess “one faith.” We subscribe without qualification to the confessions of the Book of Concord 1580, The Brief Statement of 1932, and the writings of our own church body (the CLC): Concerning Church Fellowship and Concerning Church and Ministry.
“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23, ESV)
“…that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV)
“one baptism”
– We believe baptism is God’s means of creating faith and granting us entrance to His kingdom.
– We believe that Baptism brings the forgiveness of sins to infants and adults alike.
“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5, ESV)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19, ESV)
“one communion” of the Lord’s Supper
– We believe Christ’s true body and blood are really present in the bread and wine.
– We believe that through the eating and drinking the believer receives the forgiveness of sins.
“for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28, ESV)
“one God”
– We believe there is one triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22, ESV)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19, ESV)