Mission of the Cross
What We Believe
Mission of the Cross Lutheran Church is a confessional congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod serving Crosslake, Cross Lake, and the surrounding Brainerd Lakes area. We believe, teach, and confess the historic Christian faith as it is given in Holy Scripture and faithfully summarized in the Lutheran Confessions. We are not interested in religious novelty or in reshaping Christianity according to changing trends. Rather, we seek to receive, confess, and hand on the faith once delivered to the saints.
The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and life. In the Scriptures, God speaks truthfully and clearly. Through His Word, He reveals His will, calls sinners to repentance, and proclaims His mercy in Jesus Christ. For that reason, the preaching and teaching at Mission of the Cross are grounded in the Bible and governed by it.
Jesus Christ and Salvation
At the center of all we believe is Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who became man for us and for our salvation. We believe that all people are sinners and cannot save themselves by effort, morality, or religious works. Our hope before God rests entirely on Christ, who lived, died, and rose again for us. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, for the sake of Christ alone. This Gospel is the heart of our life together as a Lutheran church in Crosslake, Minnesota.
The Holy Trinity and the Christian Faith
We confess one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We joyfully confess with the Church of every age the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We are Christians not because we have invented something new, but because we stand in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic faith built on Christ and His Word.
Word and Sacrament
We believe that God gives His saving gifts through His appointed means. In Holy Baptism, He grants forgiveness, life, and salvation. In Holy Absolution, Christ speaks His pardon to sinners. In the Lord’s Supper, our Lord gives His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of faith. These are not empty symbols, but Christ’s gifts for His people.
Worship and the Christian Life
Because Christ serves His Church through Word and Sacrament, worship at Mission of the Cross is reverent, liturgical, and centered on His gifts. The historic liturgy is a faithful and orderly way of hearing God’s Word, confessing the faith, praying together, and receiving the Sacraments.
We also believe that faith bears fruit in love. Good works do not earn salvation, but they do flow from faith in Christ. Christians are called to serve their neighbors in daily life with humility, mercy, and truth. If you are looking for a Lutheran church in Crosslake, MN, or the Brainerd Lakes area, we invite you to join us. Here Christ is preached, and His gifts are given for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of faith.
Confessional Lutheran Beliefs
We believe the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and practice. We accept the three Ecumenical Creeds, namely, the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as faithful witnesses to the truth of the Holy Scriptures. We also accept the confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as they are contained in the Book of Concord of 1580 because they are faithful and true exposition of the Word of God.
The Apostles’ Creed and Luther’s Explanation of it in his Small Catechism summarize what we believe about the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ, and salvation along with many other articles of the Christian faith. It is included below for your convenience.
If you want to read more about the official teachings of Mission of the Cross Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod please check out the entire Book of Concord which includes all of Luther’s Small Catechism. You may also find the answers to these FAQs helpful. Pastor Traphagan is always happy to meet with anyone who has questions about what we believe and why we believe it. Please don’t hesitate to contact him using the contact information here.
The First Article I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.
The Second Article And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
What does this mean? I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.
The Third Article I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.