Upholding Scriptural Integrity within the International Lutheran Council
Core Identity and Global Connections of FELSISA
The FELSISA is a Confessional Lutheran Church in South Africa, in church fellowship with the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (LCSA). On the global landscape, both the FELSISA and the LCSA are members of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), an association of established confessional Lutheran church bodies which proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of
- an unconditional commitment to the Holy Scriptures as the inspired and infallible Word of God and
- to the Lutheran Confessions contained in the Book of Concord as the true and faithful exposition of the Word of God.
Apart from its committed adherence to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, the identity of the FELSISA also finds expression in a number of “core values.” The cores values articulate its deepest scriptural convictions, which drive its ministry. It provides the answer to the question: Why do we do what we do. As such it also describes “Who we are”.
We believe that God’s will is revealed and expressed in Holy Scripture. As a result our thoughts, decisions and actions are to be informed and guided by God’s Word alone.
We confess that although we are set free from the power of sin for eternal life, sin remains a continual struggle. It diverts from God’s purpose and enhances self-focus and self-preservation.
The promises of God’s Word calls for “trust” worked by God’s Spirit in and through his Word. In all actions and decision-making we are therefore committed to trust God’s Word alone.
Scripture verses
Ps 33:4: For the word of the Lord is right and true, he is faithful in all he does.
Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
2 Ti 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Lk 11:28 Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.
We believe that central to the message of salvation is the “Cross of Christ.” In Christ God enters this world, dies on the cross for our sins and reconciles us with himself again. God thereby overcomes the power of sin and the devil not through mighty acts of glory or eloquent speech, but in weakness and helplessness, epitomised by the cross of Calvary.
As such we believe that the crucified Christ does not prevent hardship per se, but is always with us in a suffering world and in all things works for the good of those who love him. As only the cross provides us with the assured hope of God’s love and eternal life, we proclaim the crucified Christ faithfully.
Scripture verses
1 Co 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Co 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
2 Co 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Ro 5:1-5 Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us…
We believe that although the Law of God is necessary to reveal our sins and to heighten our dependency on God, it is only God’s grace that makes us acceptable to Him and effects change in our lives.
For this purpose God has entrusted to us his “means of grace” in the true proclamation of his Word and the right administration of his Sacraments. These means of grace we share eagerly always motivated by the grace which we ourselves have experienced in Christ.
Scripture verses
Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
Ro 2:4 [Don’t you realise] that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
Ro 6:14 Sin shall not be your masters, because you are not under law, but under grace.
We believe that God is the creator of all people and that all people are valuable to him and loved by him equally. Likewise we believe that Christ died on the cross for all people and that every believer forms part of the “one body” of Christ.
This motivates us to be inclusive and to welcome all people joyfully into our fellowship, irrespective of their social class, cultural and ethnic background.
United in Christ and in love for one another we also seek to create the necessary freedom for cultural expression without judgement or domination, each regarding the other more important than himself.
Scripture Verses
Mt 28:19 Go and make disciples of all nations…
2 Pe 3:9 He (the Lord) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Eph 2:19 You are no longer foreigners or aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.
Gal 3:26, 28 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus... There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ.
Php 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.
Ro14:1-4 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
We believe that Christ did not only call people into a relationship with God, but also called them to be disciples who grow to maturity and are able to disciple others. All children of God therefore need to be equipped for the ministry.
This we do diligently through the teaching of God’s Word always with the purpose to reach out and to share the Gospel of Christ with others.
Scripture verses
Mt 28:19-20 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising… and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Eph 4:11-12 It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare (equip) God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
Heb 5:12 By this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.
1 Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
We believe that the message of God’s eternal grace leads to acts of mercy for the needy in this world; Christ himself being the prime example of caring for those in need. Acts of mercy are seen to be the “fruit of faith” of all those who have become aware of God gracious dealings in their own lives.
Having experienced God’s grace in a world largely devoid of love, we heartily care for others.
Scripture verses
Mk 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for ransom for many.
Dt 15:4 There should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you.
Mt 25:35-39 I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ …. ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
1 Jn 3:16-18 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
Summary
It is important that we don’t only determine “why” we do what we do, but also “how” we do it. The “how” (already highlighted in the Core Value description above) is a matter of the “heart” and can be summarised as follows:
- Trusting God’s Word alone
- Faithfully proclaiming the Cross of Christ
- Eagerly sharing God’s grace
- Joyfully welcoming all people
- Diligently equipping God’s people
- Heartily caring for the world
