What does Christ Lutheran Church in Mustang believe?

Christ Lutheran Church is a confessional, liturgical LCMS congregation. We believe that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, as revealed in Scripture alone. We encourage you to read below to see a fuller picture of what we believe and why we believe it. We also welcome you to join us at a Sunday service our Bible study. Pastor Ross is also available to meet for coffee to discuss our beliefs.

What is a Lutheran?

In the 1500’s a monk, Martin Luther, started what became known as the Protestant Reformation. Luther wrote against the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church at the time. His followers became known as “Lutherans”. Lutherans hold to the Scriptural teaching that we are saved by grace through faith and not our works. The three pillars of Lutheran teaching are:

Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone

It is only the grace of God that saves. This is given only through faith. And, only Scripture is the sole rule and norm of our faith.

The full expression of our beliefs can be found in the Book of Concord which was compiled in 1580 A.D. Learn more about our local congregation's history on Our Story Page. Have more questions about Christ Lutheran? Check out our FAQ page here.

God: The Holy Trinity

There is only one God, who has eternally existed and has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. God created everything, both visible and invisible, and sustains everything and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise. God does not change and is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

As the Nicene Creed (an ancient statement of faith) puts it:

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earthand of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heavenand was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Maryand was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heavenand sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, we acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and we look for the resurrection of the deadand the life of the world to come. Amen.

From "The Nicene Creed" in The Ecumenical Creeds, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Source: https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/ecumenical-creeds/nicene-creed/

Our Teachings on God & Creation

We believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

What does this mean?

Answer: We believe that God has made us and all creatures. He has given us our bodies and sous, eyes, ears, and all our limbs, our reason, and all our senses, and still preserves them. In addition, He has given us clothing and shoes, meat and drink, house and home, wife and children, fields, cattle, and all our goods. He provides us richly and daily with all that we need to support this body and life. He protects us from all danger and guards us and preserves us from all evil. He does all this out of pure, fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in us. For all this we ought to thank Him, praise Him, serve Him, and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

Our Teachings on God & Redemption

We believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean?

Answer: We believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is our Lord. He has redeemed us, lost and condemned creatures, purchased and won us from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil. He did this not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, so that we may be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Our Teachings on God & Sanctification

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean?

Answer: we believe that we cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel, enlightened us with His gifts, sanctified and kept us in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all our sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise up us and all the dead and will give eternal life to us and to all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.

From "II. The Creed" in The Small Catechism, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Source: https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/small-catechism/apostles-creed/

The Holy Bible: God’s Word to Us

The Bible (also referred to as Scripture) is the sole rule and norm of our faith. It is God’s inspired and infallible word and without error. It reveals God’s divine plan for salvation in Jesus Christ. We seek to conform our lives to the teachings it contains. It infuses our entire life together as a congregation.

The Church: Who We Are

"Church” is a word with many definitions today. We define it thusly:

As a place: where the word of God is rightly preached and the sacraments rightly administered.

As a people: the visible body of Christ sent into the world to proclaim the good news of salvation in Jesus. This group is all Christians everywhere. This church is eternal.

As a denomination: a group of churches willfully bound together in mission and teachings. Christ Lutheran is a member of the Oklahoma District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Salvation: What does the Lutheran Church Teach about Grace and Forgiveness?

God originally made all things good. However, mankind brought sin into our world, corrupting everything. The result of sin is death, and everybody is under that penalty. God, in His love, has paid that penalty through Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection. God now offers eternal life with Him to any who would believe in Christ as Savior and God.

Our Teachings on Holy Baptism & Who Can Be Baptized

Scripture tells us that all people are sinful, even children. The Bible also tells us that Baptism is a Means of Grace, in other words, it offers forgiveness of sins. And this promise is for people of all ages, including infants and young children.

We maintain the historic and Scriptural practice of baptizing infants, children, and adults. Baptisms are scheduled throughout the year as people wish to be baptized or have their children baptized. If you have not been baptized and desire to be, please contact the church office through email or call (405) 376-3116.

What is Baptism?

Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word. 

Which is that word of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew: “Therefore go 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).

What benefits does Baptism give?

It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are these words and promises of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

How can water do such great things?

Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” (Titus 3:5–8)

What does such baptizing with water indicate?

It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

St. Paul writes in Romans, chapter six: “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4).

From "IV. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism" in The Small Catechism, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Source: https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/small-catechism/baptism/

Our Teachings on Holy Communion & Sacramental Care

We take seriously the spiritual care of those that commune at our altar. Because we care deeply about your spiritual journey, we kindly ask that first-time visitors speak with Pastor Ross before the service begins if they wish to receive communion. To learn more about what to expect during your first visit, check out our Visitor FAQ Page.

Scripture teaches us that in Communion we receive the body and blood of Jesus along with the bread and wine in a supernatural and yet real, true, and present way (more than just spiritually). This is not dependent on a person's faith, but on Jesus' very words.

Scripture also tells us that we are not to take Holy Communion in division with one another. As such, we welcome to the table members of the LCMS or in a church body in Altar Fellowship with the LCMS. We ask all others to please speak with the Pastor or and Elder.

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.

Where is this written?

The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

These words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things, but the words written here: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: “forgiveness of sins.”

Who receives this Sacrament worthily?

Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.

From "VI. The Sacrament of the Altar" in The Small Catechism, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Source: https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/small-catechism/communion/

What is a Lutheran service like near Yukon, Mustang, Tuttle, and SW OKC?

Our services follow the historic, reverent Christian liturgy. Worship is hymn-based, Christ-centered, and focused on the faithful preaching of God's Word and Sacraments.

Want to experience these scriptural truths in person? Read our Worship Services Page or plan your Sunday visit on our I'm New Portal.

“Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times."

-Martin Luther