Simply, Lutherans are disciples of Jesus Christ who trust in Him as their Lord and Savior.
WHAT DO LUTHERANS BELIEVE?
Lutherans believe ... that there is only one God— the Triune God— who has made Himself known as three eternal and all-powerful persons— the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit— who are all equally God, united as God, yet distinct from one another. Lutherans believe ... that God has revealed eternal truth to us in His inspired, inerrant word— the Bible— and that it alone is the basis of the Christian faith. Lutherans believe ... that God created the first man and woman in His own holy image to experience a never-ending life of joy and fulfillment, but they rebelled against His wonderful plan, destroying their own perfection, and passing on a sinful condition that makes all of us— adults and children alike— helpless and hopeless in the face of His righteous judgement. Lutherans believe ... that the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ, became fully human as well, lived a life of perfect obedience and service, sacrificed Himself on a cross in payment for the sins of the world, and rose triumphantly from the grave three days later ... all on our behalf! Lutherans believe ... that God the Father sent God the Son to save the world from sin through His own suffering and death, and that God the Holy Spirit makes this free gift a reality in each person's life when He gives them the ability to trust in Jesus as their Savior. Lutherans believe ... that God comes to us through His Word and through His sacred gifts of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to bestow grace and forgiveness to all who trust in Christ. Lutherans believe ... that Baptism is God's gracious act whereby His Spirit grants new birth to people of all ages, bestowing through this water of life both saving faith in Jesus Christ and perfect cleansing from all their sins. Lutherans believe ... that Jesus Christ comes to those who receive His Supper to bestow with common bread and wine the very things He sacrificed on the cross, His own body and blood, that their faith might be strengthened and their lives renewed. Lutherans believe ... that all believers are called into Christ's church to love and serve God, to grow in their faith through the grace offered them in His Word and Sacraments, to utilize their Spirit-given gifts to buildup their fellow disciples, and to carry out God's mission of taking the good news of His saving love to all people. Lutherans believe ... that on the last day of human history Jesus will return in all power and glory to raise the dead, to judge all mankind, and to take those who trust in Him as Lord and Savior to live with Him in His heavenly kingdom forever.