And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13
What We Believe
God
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.
The Bible
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
"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
God originally made all things good.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.
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.
Baptism
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).
“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
Communion
We take seriously the spiritual care of those that commune at our altar. 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. This is not dependent on a person's faith, but on Jesus' very words. Jesus invites to His table baptized believers who trust His words, repent of all sin, set aside any refusal to forgive and love as he forgives and loves us, and affirm what is taught and believed at this altar, that they may proclaim His death until He comes.
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.
Want to learn more?
Pastor Ross would be delighted to buy you a cup of coffee at a place of your choosing and answer any questions you might have.