We believe . . .
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe that there is one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Christian church, which is the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16) and the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:23; 4:12). The Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is that which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.
The members of this one church are all those who are the "sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26). The church, then, consists only of believers, or saints, whom God accepts as holy for the sake of Jesus' righteousness, which has been credited to them (2 Corinthians 5:21). These saints are scattered throughout the world. All people who believe that Jesus is their Savior from sin are members of the holy Christian church, regardless of the nation, race, or church body to which they belong.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe that this Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church church is a certainty, although it is not an peripheral, visible organization. Because "man looks at the outward manifestation, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7), only the Lord knows "those who are his" (2 Timothy 2:19). The members of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church are known only to God; we cannot distinguish between true believers and hypocrites. The Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is therefore invisible and cannot be identified with any one church body or with the total membership of all church bodies.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary believe that the presence of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church nevertheless can be recognized. Wherever the gospel is preached and the sacraments are administered, the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is present, for through the means of grace true faith is produced and preserved (Isaiah 55:10,11). The means of grace, therefore, are called the marks of the church.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe that it is the Lord's will that Christians meet regularly to support one another up by using the means of grace together (Hebrews 10:24,25) and to work for the spread of the gospel into all the world (Mark 6:15). Since these visible gatherings use the means of grace, they are called churches. They bear this name, however, only because of the true believers present in them (1 Corinthians 1:2).
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe that God directs believers to recognize oneness in faith with Christians whose confession of faith submits to all the teachings of Scripture (John 8:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22). We believe, furthermore, that individuals through their membership in a church body entrust themselves to the doctrine and practice of that church. To declare that agreement exists where there is no agreement in confession is to presume to look into people's hearts. Only God can look into people's hearts. It is not necessary that all Christians agree on matters of church ritual or organization.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe that those whose confession of faith reveals that they are united in the doctrines of Scripture will express their partnership in Christ as occasion permits (Ephesians 4:3). They may express their partnership by joint worship, by joint proclamation of the gospel, by joining in Holy Communion, by joint prayer, and by joint church work. God directs believers not to practice religious fellowship with those whose confession and actions reveal that they teach, tolerate, support, or defend error (2 John 10,11). When error appears in the church, Christians will try to preserve their partnership by patiently admonishing the offenders, in the hope that they will turn from their error (2 Timothy 2:25,26; Titus 3:10). But the Lord commands believers not to practice church fellowship with people who persist in teaching or adhering to beliefs that are false (Romans 16:17,18).
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe that every Christian is a priest before God (1 Peter 2:9). All believers have direct and equal access to the throne of grace through Christ, the mediator (Ephesians 2:17,18). God has given the means of grace to all believers. All Christians are to declare the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). In this sense all Christians are ministers, or servants, of the gospel. God wants all Christians to share the message of salvation with other people (Matthew 28:19,20; 0:32).
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe that God has also established the public ministry of the Word (Ephesians 4:11), and it is the will of God that the church, in agreement with good order (1 Corinthians 14:40), calls competent individuals into this public ministry (1 Timothy 3:1-10; 1 Corinthians 9:14). Such individuals minister publicly, that is, not because as individuals they possess the universal priesthood but because they are asked to do this in the name of fellow Christians (Romans 10:15). These individuals are the called servants of Christ and ministers of the gospel. They are not to be lords over God's church (1 Peter 5:3). The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe that when the church calls individuals into this public ministry, the Lord himself is acting through the church (Acts 20:28).
We believe that the church has the freedom to institute various forms within the one ministry of the Word, such as pastors, Christian teachers, and staff ministers. Through its call, the church in Christian liberty designates the place and scope of service.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe that the church's mission is to serve people with the Word and sacraments. We look upon the pastoral office as the most complete form of the public ministry of the Word. Pastors are trained through our own resources and called to provide such all-embracing spiritual oversight for the assembly and nurturing of souls in congregations (1 Peter 5:2).
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe that women may participate in offices and activities of the public ministry except where that work involves authority over men (1 Timothy 2:11,12). This means that women may not serve as pastors nor participate in assemblies of the church in ways that exercise authority over men (1 Corinthians 11:3; 14:33-35).
The Lord teaches us through His Word that women are not given the responsibility of serving the church as pastors. We read the following statements: "As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak,but should be subordinate,as even the law says what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:33-34,37).
"Let a woman learn in silence with all submissiveness. I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent"(1 Tim.2:11-12).
"The saying is sure: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Now an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife"(1 Tim.3:1-2).
"This is why I left you in Crete that you might appoint elders in every town as I directed you, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife"(Titus 1:5-6).
God has given His church many gifts. Among them is the gift of the office of the public, pastoral ministry. We receive what God gives, in the way He has given it, and in the form He has given it. We do not tell God that His gift is not good enough for us, or that we don't like the form in which He has given the gift. We receive God's gifts as He gives them, with thanks and praise. We rejoice in the opportunities God has given us, as His redeemed people, to serve Him in the church, and in our daily lives.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace reject any attempt to identify the holy Christian church with an outward organization. We deny any claim that the church must function in the world through specific governmental forms.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace reject as false ecumenicity any views that look for the true harmony of the church in some form of external or organizational blending, and we oppose all activities toward such union made at the expense of a clear confession of all the teachings of Scripture. We reject the argument that religious companionship may be practiced without agreement in doctrine and practice. There must be agreement in the confession of scriptural doctrines, and also one's actions or practice must show that error is not tolerated.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace reject participation or membership in organizations that have religious features in conflict with the Christian faith, such as most lodges. This is what Scripture teaches about church and ministry. This we believe, teach, and confess.
