Good Hope Lutheran Church

As Part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

We believe that all people are imperfect and are saved (made right with God) by God’s grace and God’s grace alone, through Christ. There is no special prayer you need to pray, no special state of mind you need to achieve and no good deed you need to perform. We believe that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God became one of us and took upon himself the sin and suffering of all the world. God did this to demonstrate God’s love for us. We believe that we receive the gift of grace by faith alone on account of Christ. We live in the tension of still being sinful but trusting that we are forgiven and that God is at work in us. The gift of grace expresses God’s unconditional love, and in response to that love we are set free to live gratefully and lovingly.

An important date in the Lutheran tradition is Oct. 31, 1517, when a German monk named Martin Luther started a movement known as the Reformation. He insisted the Bible showed that salvation could not be earned or bought, which was contrary to church teachings at the time. Luther believed salvation was a gift and a sign of God’s never-ending love. The most influential documents for our church were written by him and other Lutheran reformers. These are compiled in the Book of Concord. Key writings there include the Augsburg Confession and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. We don’t believe that you are born or are baptized Lutheran, but if you participate in the Lutheran tradition, you identify as a Lutheran Christian.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) bases its beliefs on the Bible and the historic ecumenical Creeds, emphasizing the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and God's love for all creation. The ELCA's understanding of faith is rooted in a “living, daring confidence in God’s grace” and a commitment to living out that faith in service to the world.

Here’s a more detailed look at the ELCA’s beliefs:

Key Beliefs:

The Triune God:

The ELCA believes in one God, revealed in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. 

God’s Love and Creation:

God created all things and loves all of creation, including the earth and its inhabitants. 

Jesus Christ:

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is the savior who transforms lives through his death and resurrection. 

The Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit is active in the world, guiding and empowering believers. 

Salvation by Grace:

Salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Faith as a Relationship:

Faith is a living, trusting relationship with God, not just intellectual assent. 

Service to the World:

The ELCA believes God calls its members to be actively involved in the world, working for justice, healing, and the common good. 

Confessions:

Lutherans affirm the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, as well as the Book of Concord (including the Augsburg Confession).