Our Beliefs

Zion is a "Grace-centered Community of Servants."  To say that we are "grace-centered" means that we see ourselves as sinners redeemed by the grace of God.  Our status as children of God is a result of God's goodness, not our own.  We believe that to be the core theme of the inspired Scriptures.  

As children of one heavenly Father, we see ourselves as a family, a close-knit community of people who are dedicated to loving and supporting one another.  We are also strongly committed to serving others and see benevolence and outreach as fundamental aspects of  our individual and collective mission.

OTHER CORE BELIEFS are expressed in "The Apostles' Creed" and "The Nicene Creed."  Here is The Apostles' Creed, along with Martin Luther's "Explanations" (as found in The Small Catechism). 

The Apostles’ Creed

First Article: I believe in God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

What does this mean? I believe that God has created me and all that exists.  He has given me-  and still preserves- my body and soul with all their powers.  He provides me with food and clothing, home and family, daily work, and all I need from day to day.  God also protects me in time of danger and guards me from every evil. All this He does out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it.  Therefore I surely ought to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.  This is most certainly true.

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, Son of the Father from eternity, and true man, born of the virgin Mary- is my Lord.  At great cost He has saved and redeemed me, a lost and condemned person.  He has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil; not with silver or gold, but with His holy and precious blood, and His innocent suffering and death.  All this He has done that I may be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He has risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally.  This is most certainly true.

Third Article: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead, and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean? I believe that I cannot, by my own understanding or effort, believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him.  But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and 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 united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.  In this Christian Church, day after day, He fully forgives my sins and the sins of all believers.  On the last day He will raise up me and all the dead, and give me and all believers in Christ eternal life.  This is most certainly true.