WHO WE ARE

We believe the Bible is the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16). God’s Word includes law, which shows us our sin, and gospel, the good news that shows us our Savior, Jesus.

Many Scripture passages combine into a beautiful mosaic that give a picture of Jesus. 

One resource summarizes what we teach you to believe about Jesus as follows: 

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and 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. 

The Bible has Jesus as its central message. To read the story of Jesus' life, turn to the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. 

We believe in one God in three persons, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit,  as described in Scripture:  Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19

The Bible tells us that God created all things good (Genesis 1:31), but that the first humans fell into sin – rebellion against God  (Genesis 3:1-14).  Since then all people have inherited a sinful corrupt nature from our first parents (Psalm 51:5), that is evident in our imperfect thoughts, words, and actions.  We would all be lost forever because of sin, but God, our Heavenly Father, sent Jesus Christ, to save us.

The name Jesus means God saves. The title, Christ, means the annointed one. Jesus was chosen and annointed. God did not have sexual relations with Mary. But Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-35, 2:7), and lived as one of us – a true man. Yet, he was truly God (John 1:1, Col. 1:15-20).  Jesus lived the life that God’s law requires (Hebrews 4:15), then suffered and died to pay the penalty that was due all people for their sins (2 Cor. 5:21),  In doing so, Jesus bought sinners back for God (1 Peter 3:18).  The gifts Jesus won for us – forgiveness and everlasting life – are given to us by God’s grace alone, received by faith alone (Eph. 2:8) in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6) as our Lord and Savior.Jesus rose again from the dead (resurrection appearances recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts), and lives and reigns with the Father in heaven (Heb. 1:3). Jesus will come again to judge all people, living and dead (Matthew 25:32-46).  We believe in the resurrection of everyone from the dead when Jesus returns at the end of the world – some to eternal punishment, others to eternal life.  Whoever trusts in Jesus as their Lord and Savior will have eternal life (John 3:16).

We believe that the Holy Spirit works through the Word of God and the means of grace including Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) to draw people to Jesus Christ and to strengthen believers in their faith.

As those who have been loved and forgiven by God, we joyfully seek to be faithful to Jesus's great commission for us:

(Matthew 28:18-20)

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Divine Shepherd Church is a member of the one holy Christian Church that God established on earth. 

Ephesians 4:4-6

 "4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

The source of what we believe comes only from the Word of God. We do not follow man-made religion. Yet God as the ultimate Author has inspired men and women to reveal His eternal truth, to reform, and awaken the church on earth through summaries of biblical truth that are believed, taught, and confessed. This list of testimonies traces back to ancient times. 

Since some local churches no longer teach the Word of God from Scripture alone, Divine Shepherd walks together with churches who do.   Our pastors receive Master's degree training in the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective and are ordained into the Evangelical Lutheran Church. We have sister churches, schools, missions, and ministries in hundreds of countries around the world. 

In the United States, we are a locally owned and lead community Church who voluntarily walks together on a national level with a church body called The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).  You can learn more about the LCMS here: www.LCMS.org

All national resolutions are guidelines to assist local congregations with fidelity to the Word of God in theology and practice.