Salvation
We believe that mankind is separated from God by sin. Christ’s
sacrificial and substitutionary death on the cross satisfied God’s wrath against the sin of
mankind. Only by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can anyone receive forgiveness
and be saved from sin’s penalty. Salvation is God’s free gift of grace to us, but we must
accept it. Salvation is a process where we confess our sins, repent of our self-ruled life
and turn to Jesus in faith, are buried with Christ in Baptism, and live a Christ-ruled life.
We can never make up for our sin by self-effort, self -improvement, or good works. Because
God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that
salvation for eternity. It is the grace and sustaining power of God that gives us this
security.