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Click
HERE
for a Comparison of Teachings
WE STILL
BELIEVE . . .
In an age
of constant change,
we still believe in the unchanging Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit -- three persons in One God.
In an age
of Humanism's confusion,
we still believe that God created the universe in six 24-hour days as
revealed
in Genesis, and that the whole Bible is God's Word, free from all
errors,
contradictions or myths.
In an age
of doubt, we still
believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the
Virgin
Mary.
In an age
of fear and guilt,
we still believe that Christ died on the cross as payment for the sins
of the world, and that He arose from the grave because His sacrifice
was
accepted by God, so that the world is declared righteous on account of
Him
In an age
of do-it-yourself religion,
we still believe that eternal salvation is through faith in the "good
news",
not obedience to the law; by grace alone, apart from all works; by the
Holy Spirit working through the Gospel in the Word and Sacraments, not
by human reason, religious sincerity, spiritual fervor,
"Spirit-baptism"
or any other condition, work, or "add on" of man.
In an age
of Ecumania, we
still believe that to preserve the pure Gospel of Christ for ourselves
and others, Christians are commanded by the Lord to test and judge all
teachings and philosophies, hold to whatever is according to God's
Word,
and avoid all religious fellowship with that which is contrary to that
Word.
In an age
of "evangelical materialism",
we still believe that the "evangel" is the proclamation of forgiveness
and the gaining of heaven through faith in Christ, not the preaching of
principles by which one may lead a "good" life and gain earthly
prosperity.
"If you
hold to my teaching, then
you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the
truth
will set you free."
John 8:31-32
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A Comparison
of Teachings
"Test the
spirits whether
they are of God;
because
many false prophets
have gone out into the world."
(1 John 4:1).
From its
beginning, Holy Trinity
has been determined to teach only what is "of God," that is, teachings
that are recorded in the BIBLE, which is GOD'S WORD. We call ourselves
Lutheran because we hold to the historic Lutheran teachings. The BIBLE
is the only source for these teachings.
Below are
some examples of what the
Bible teaches, in contrast to the errors that are taught by many of
today’s
“liberal" churches.
The
Way to Heaven
Bible
Teaching All
people are sinners - faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Those
who refuse to confess and repent of their sins, die without faith in
Him,
and are eternally lost in hell.
False
Teaching Sincere
followers of non-Christian religions may get to heaven, even
without
believing in Jesus.
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| "All have
sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. |
| For by grace
you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is
the
gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast" Ephesians
2:8-9. |
| "Therefore
being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ" Romans 3:23. |
| "The gift
of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans
6:23. |
| "Therefore
repent and convert so that your sins may be blotted out"
Acts
3:19. |
| "I am the
Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me.
Because I live, you shall live also" John 14:6. |
| "God so loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes
in
Him should not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16. |
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Inspiration
of the Bible
Bible
Teaching The
Bible is the inspired Word of God in its entirety, without error or
contradiction.
False
Teaching The
Bible is a book written by fallible men and therefore subject to error.
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| "All Scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God
may
be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good
work"
1
Timothy 3:16. |
| "When you
received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not
as
the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God" 1 Thessalonians
2:13. |
| "Holy men
of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" 2 Peter
1:21. |
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Creation
of the World
Bible
Teaching The one almighty
and Triune God created the world and everything in it, including man,
in
six ordinary days.
False
Teaching All things
have come into being by a process of evolution. Man has evolved
from
lower forms of life.
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| "In the beginning
God created the heavens and the earth" Genesis 1:1. |
| "For in six
days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is
in them, and rested on the seventh day" Exodus 20:11. |
| "For by Him
all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible
and invisible" Colossians
1:16. |
| "By faith
we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that
the
things which are seen were not made of things which are
visible"
Hebrews
11:3. |
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False
Beliefs &
Alternative
Lifestyles
are not
pleasing to God
Bible
Teaching Every teaching
in the Bible is important. Therefore Christians should stand up
for
the Truth (and anot tolerate error). Although God shows His love
to sinners (John 3:16), He also hates sin and tells us that willingly
following
error and living in sin is a tool of Satan to take away our faith.
False
Teaching The Bible
teachings are either unclear, unimportant, or not valid for our day and
age. Following God's Word is a matter of preference. God
does
not care what we believe or the lifestyle we choose to live.
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| "Do not be
carried about with various and strange doctrines" Hebrews 13:9. |
| "There will
be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive
heresies"
2 Peter
2:1. |
| "Teach no
other doctrine" 1 Timothy 1:3. |
| "And in vain
they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of
men"
Matthew
15:9. |
| "Beware lest
anyone cheat you through philosophy and vain deceit"
Colossians
2:8. |
| "Neither fornicators,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals...will inherit the
kingdom
of God" 1
Corinthans 6:9. |
| "Now I urge
you brethern, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to
the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them" Romans
16:17. |
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We believe
that Christians ought
to be concerned about upholding the truth and rejecting all false
teachings.
Our Lord Jesus promises: "If you abide in My word, you are My
disciples
indeed, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you
free"
John 8:32. |
Holy Trinity Evangelical
Lutheran Church &
School
2920 Pella Avenue, West Columbia,
SC 29170
803-796-0770
HolyTrinity@CLClutheran.com
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