Who Is Jesus?
This is the most important question we can ask. In a world in which information is readily available and opinions abound, this fundamental question stands above all other inquiries and considerations.
We believe Jesus is exactly who He said He is. Along with the ancient Church, we confess that Jesus is true God and true man in one person. He is the Son of God who was crucified and raised from the dead for the salvation of all who trust in Him.
Christ is not Jesus’s last name, but identifies Him as the Messiah (Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Messiah), the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises that God saves His people.
This fulfillment and salvation happened in history in real time and in a real place (first century AD in Israel) through a flesh-and-blood person named Jesus.
The Bible is the true and trustworthy Word of God that records God’s love for the world through His Son Jesus. The miracles recorded in the Gospels and the teachings of Jesus are true and accurate.
Jesus physically died on a cross and physically rose from the dead in three days. He physically ascended into heaven, and the Church awaits His second coming when He will judge all people.
What does the Bible Say about Jesus?
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:1-5, 14 (ESV)
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
Why is it Important that I believe that Jesus is my Savior today?
So that you can have life right now and one day in heaven. The Bible is clear that on the last day those who trusted in Jesus will rise to eternal life in heaven but those who have denied Jesus will be thrown into hell. But Jesus also came that you can enjoy a life full of meaning and purpose even in the midst of the brokenness of this world!
What does the Bible Say about Life in Jesus?
"These [things] are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31 (ESV)
"Jesus said to [Thomas], 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6 (ESV)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (ESV)
"Jesus said to [Martha], 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.'" John 11:25-26 (ESV)
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' . . . Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'" Matthew 25:31-34; 41 (ESV)
St. John's Lutheran Church is committed to following Jesus, to growing as disciples of Jesus and to experiencing life in Jesus. That's why our mission is "Experiencing and Sharing the Love of Jesus Christ."