Toward the end of his ministry Jesus spoke the previous words in the temple courts to the Jewish religious leaders and to others who claimed to be his disciples. It wasn’t a friendly conversation for Jesus’ word was being challenged, ridiculed, and rejected. Jesus claimed to be the light of the world, who spoke God’s word in its truth and purity. To reject the word of Jesus was to reject to word of God. To reject the word of Jesus was to speak the words of the devil who is the father of lies. To speak the truth of God’s word brings light and life. To be mistaken about the truth of God’s word places one under the lies of the devil who is constantly seeking to bring us into spiritual darkness.

Many today are not concerned about true Bible teaching. They are willing to compromise the teaching of the Bible for the sake of outward unity. Should we baptize babies or shouldn’t we? Is it possible for those who are saved to fall and be lost? When Christ comes again, will it be to establish a thousand year rule on earth? Is Christ’s body and blood truly present in the Lord’s Supper with the bread and the wine? Does God tell us to avoid those who insist on teaching contrary to his word? Many today would say, "It doesn’t matter. You believe what you think the Bible says and I’ll believe what I believe the Bible says and we will not consider our differences important." Jesus would not agree. To have a correct understanding of Bible teaching brings you into God’s truth which sets you free. To have a mistaken understanding of Bible teaching enslaves you to the lies of the devil.

In 1967 our Wisconsin Synod set forth what our church body teaches and believes in a booklet entitled, "This We Believe." Since that time this booklet has been revised and reprinted several times. Its introduction begins with these words: "This We Believe is one way the members of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod have chosen to confess their faith in Christ. This document publicly summarizes the main teachings of our church body." This year another book has been authored which is entitled, "This We Believe - Questions and Answers". This is a wonderful book for all Lutherans who wish to grow in their understanding of what we teach and why we teach it and how our teaching is different from other church’s teaching. If we are going to confess the truth of God’s Word and not be led astray by the many false prophets Satan has sent into this world, it is important that we Christians grow not only in our knowledge of what we believe but also in our knowledge of why we believe it.

I invite the members of First Lutheran to purchase this book and to read it. (I will order a copy for anyone who wishes one. There will also be a copy of this book in our church library.) I know that you will grow in your knowledge of God’s word. Should you have questions about what you have read, I invite you to share those questions with me and I will help you reach your ultimate goal - to continue in Jesus’ word, to walk in Jesus’ light, to recognize the devil’s lies, to be Jesus’ disciples indeed.