CLHS Statement of Faith

Concordia Lutheran High School is firmly rooted in God’s Word, the Holy Bible (“Scripture”). We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21), the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed (Matthew 5:18; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5). It is the source and norm for life. We believe the entire Bible records God acting in history to redeem and rescue this broken world through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

The Triune God

The Lord God is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfection (2 Corinthians 13:14). God is not hidden, as though we must search to find him. Rather, he has revealed himself to us, that we might know him. He is the creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1). He has always existed, never having a beginning, never ending (Revelation 21:6), and never changing (Psalm 102:27; Malachi 3:6). He is the most beautiful of all things (Psalm 27:4). He is love (1 John 4:16) and he loves the world (Hosea 2:23; John 3:16). He is holy (Isaiah 6:3), he is merciful and forgiving (Daniel 9:9), he is compassionate (Exodus 34:6) he is just and rules the world with justice (Psalm 67:4).

God the Father

God the Father is the creator and sustainer of life. He spoke the world into being (Genesis 1:1). Throughout history the Father has shown himself to have a track record of pursuing and loving people even in their ignorance, apathy, and rebellion (Jeremiah 31:3). The Father desires to be known by all people (1 Timothy 2:4). He delights in loving the people whom he created (Zephaniah 3:17; Ezekiel 33:11).

God the Son — Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is true God and true man, the eternal Son of God who became flesh without ceasing to be God (John 1:1–2, 14; Colossians 1:19; Luke 1:35) and not simply a good man or good moral teacher. We believe that he was born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26–38), He lived a perfect life (Hebrews 4:15), died on the cross as the substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:24), and rose bodily from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12–24; 1 Peter 1:3–5). He ascended into heaven and now reigns at the right hand of the Father as our mediator, intercessor, and advocate (Acts 1:9–10; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2). He will come again in glory (1 Thessalonians 4:14–17).

God the Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is true God with the Father and the Son (Acts 5:3–4; 1 Corinthians 3:16). We confess that we cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ or come to Him, but the Holy Spirit calls us by the Gospel, enlightens us with His gifts, sanctifies, and keeps us in the true faith (1 Corinthians 12:3; Titus 3:5). The Holy Spirit dwells in believers and gives spiritual gifts for service (1 Corinthians 12:1–11).

Humanity and Sin

We believe humanity was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26–27). Through Adam’s fall, all people inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3). All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Left to ourselves, we are unable to remedy our lost condition or save ourselves (Romans 3:10–12).

Salvation

We believe salvation is a free gift of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8–10; John 1:12). Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death and resurrection (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19; John 3:16). Forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation are received through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Romans 3:28; John 17:3), not by works or human effort (Isaiah 64:6).

The Means of Grace

Faith comes through the work of the Holy Spirit using the means of grace—God’s Word and the Sacraments (Romans 10:17; John 6:63).

Baptism

We believe Baptism is water applied in the name of the Triune God according to Christ’s command (Matthew 28:19–20). Through Baptism, God works rebirth and renewal (John 3:5; Titus 3:5), grants forgiveness of sins, joins us to Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:11–12), and gives salvation (1 Peter 3:21).

The Lord’s Supper

We believe the Lord’s Supper is the true body and blood of Jesus Christ given in, with, and under the bread and wine for Christians to eat and drink, instituted by Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26–29; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

The Church

We believe the Church is the body of Christ composed of all believers from every time and place (1 Corinthians 12:12–14; Ephesians 1:22–23). The Church exists to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and serve the world (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8; Isaiah 49:6). In Christ, believers are made new, experience true freedom, and live with purpose (John 8:36; Galatians 5:1; John 10:10).

Christian Living

We believe good works, prayer, and holy living are the fruit of faith, not the cause of salvation (John 15:5; Hebrews 11:6). Christians are called to live for Christ in every aspect of life (Colossians 2:6–7; Galatians 5:16–25). God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess their sins and seek His mercy through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19–21; Romans 10:9–10).

We believe every person must be treated with compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28–31; Luke 6:31).

Human Life

We believe human life is sacred from conception to natural death (Psalm 139:13; Jeremiah 1:5; Isaiah 49:1). We are called to care for the physical and spiritual needs of others. It is our firm conviction that we uphold the dignity of each individual as we embrace the unchanging and longstanding principles of scriptural truth. 

Gender, Marriage, and Sexuality

We believe God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female (Genesis 1:26–27). These complementary sexes together reflect the image of God.

We believe marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a lifelong covenant relationship established by God (Genesis 2:18–25; Matthew 19:4–6). Sexual intimacy is intended by God to occur only within marriage between a man and a woman (1 Corinthians 6:18; Hebrews 13:4). Any sexual activity outside of this design is contrary to God’s will (1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Matthew 15:18–20).

We believe God offers forgiveness, grace, and restoration to all who repent and trust in Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Family

We believe God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of society (Genesis 2:24). Parents are called to raise their children in the instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6). We affirm the partnership of home, church, and school in Christian education.

Institutional Commitment

Concordia Lutheran High School is a Christian school affiliated with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and operates as a Recognized Service Organization. In order to preserve the integrity of its mission and Christian witness, all employees and volunteers are expected to support and uphold this Statement of Faith (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14–16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).