With the universal Christian Church, The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) believes and teaches that there is only One True God: the Father, Creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, Who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and the devil; and the Holy Spirit, Who creates faith through God's Word and Sacraments. The three Persons of the Trinity are coequal and co-eternal, One God.

Therefore, as Christians belonging to the LCMS, we believe and teach that the Word of God as given to us in the Old and New Testaments and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, as commanded and instituted by Christ Himself, are the means by which God comes to us. This Lutheran confession is often summarized in three phrases: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Word Alone.

• Grace Alone: We believe that we can do nothing by ourselves to earn our place in heaven. Yet even though we are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love, our Father sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly. Through Christ alone, God our Father offers His unmerited gift of salvation. (Ephesians 2:1-9)
   

• Faith Alone: We believe that we cannot achieve faith by ourselves, but that the Holy Spirit calls us by the Gospel (Word and Sacraments) and works faith in our hearts "even as He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith." (Luther's Small Catechism. Explanation to the Third Article)

• Word Alone: The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, as written in Holy Scriptures, and by which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. Christ is God Incarnate (become flesh), Who died for our sins and rose again for our justification. God's Word is the sole rule and norm for Christian faith and doctrine. (John 1:1-5)