One of the sayings that came out of the Reformation was, "The Church always needs to be reformed."  This does not mean that the Church, the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7), becomes unfaithful to her bridegroom, Jesus Christ.  After all, "the church of the living God" is always the "pillar and buttress of truth" (I Timothy 3:15).  However, this Reformation slogan does mean that the Church always needs to devote herself "to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42).  When human opinions and ideas creep in and eclipse the message of "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (I Corinthians 2:2) the forgiveness of sins, for life, and for salvation, the Church must always "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).

Therefore, Lutherans teach what Scripture teaches and what faithful Christians have taught through the centuries:  Since "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8), Lutherans boldly and consistently teach that "since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

Lutherans also teach that no human being can earn or obtain forgiveness of sins or life with God by any human efforts or works.  A person is not justified - made right - with God "by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ" (Galatians 2:16).  "For there is no distinction:  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:22-24).  Whoever "trusts Him who justified the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness" (Romans 4:5).

Lutherans statement of faith is outlined in these accepted Creeds:

Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
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.
On 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 there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
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.

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father;
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again
according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge
both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together
is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.