In common with other Chalcedonian churches, Lutheranism subscribes to the ancient ecumenical creeds which are reproduced in the Book of Concord: the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed and the (much less popular) Creed of Athanasius.
While these creeds are very important I find several biblical passages to contain a succinct and compelling distillation of our shared faith, in effect creeds that are fully contained within scripture.
Three of my favorites include:
There is one body and one Spirit .. one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
(Ephesians 4:4-5 ESV)
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
(1 Timothy 3:16 ESV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
(Colossians 1:15-20 ESV)
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