What We Believe

Cross

As Lutherans, first and foremost we are Christians. We profess that Jesus is God's son, made human to live among us. For the sake of a sinful world, Jesus was condemned to death on the cross, but death could not contain him and on Easter he rose as our living Lord. In his life and being, he broke through the prison of sinfulness and thus restored the relationship of love and trust that God intended to exist between Godself and God’s children.

Lutherans hold to the basic principles of theology and practice espoused by Martin Luther way back in the 16th century:

  • Sola Gratia: We are saved by the grace of God alone, not by anything we do.
  • Sola Fide: Our salvation is through faith alone. We only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake.
  • Sola Scriptura: The Bible is the only norm of doctrine and life, the only true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged.

Bethany is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or ELCA, connected with nearly five million other Lutherans across the United States and 66 million Lutherans around the world. The ELCA web site has more on what Lutherans believe. ELCA brandmark