Our Beliefs
Sermons
The sermons preached at Living Word each week explain a short portion of the Bible and apply it to the life of a Christian.
The Book of Concord
The Book of Concord contains the Lutheran Confessions to which members of Living Word subscribe.
This We Believe
On the WELS official site, you can download a Word document called This We Believe which contains a summary of the Bible doctrines that WELS churches (such as Living Word) teach.
The Apostles' Creed
The Apostles' Creed is a brief summary of what the Bible teaches concerning God the Father and his work of creation, God the Son (Jesus) and his work of redemption, and God the Holy Spirit and his work of sanctification.
Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is for everyone, both infants and adults alike. Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used by God's command and connected with God's Word. It works forgiveness of sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. It is certainly not the water that does such things, but God's Word which is in and with the water, and faith which trusts this Word used with the water. For without God's Word the water is just plain water and not baptism. But with this Word it is baptism; that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of rebirth by the Holy Spirit. Baptism means that the 'old Adam' in us should be drowned by daily sorrow over and repentance of sin, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion, was instituted by Jesus Christ. It is the true body and blood of Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, for Christians to eat and to drink. The blessings we receive through the Lord's Supper are shown us by these words which are used in the sacrament, "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." Through these words we receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation in this sacrament. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation. It is not the eating and drinking that does such things, but the words, "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." These words are the main thing in this sacrament, along with the eating and drinking. And whoever believes these words has what they plainly say, the forgiveness of sins. A person must be properly prepared to receive this sacrament. He is properly prepared who believes these words, "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." But whoever does not believe these words or doubts them is not prepared, because the words "for you" require nothing but hearts that believe. For this reason, Living Word practices 'close communion'. Those who do not understand or who do not believe what is involved in this sacrament would, by partaking of it, bring harm rather than good on themselves. Thus, those who are members of Living Word or of a church in fellowship with Living Word may and should partake of the Lord's Supper often.
