What We Believe

What We Believe

Statement of Faith

The purpose of this church shall be to promote the worship of God, the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the administration of ordinances of the New Testament, the Christian training of youth, the spiritual development of its members, the evangelization of the world to Christ through systematic world missions, and the furtherance of the Bride of Christ (The Church Invisible) through such activities and organizations as may seem practical. The new Testament is the basis for the organization and operation of this Congregation and shall serve as its Articles of Faith.

Doctrinal Statement
The Word of God

We believe that the Bible in its original writing to be the very Word of God and is without error or contradiction of any kind.  Holy men of God wrote it as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.  We believe it was miraculous and uniquely preserved to us from the first even until now, the only rule of faith and practice.

II Peter 1:19-21—“We have a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shineth into a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 

The Trinity

We believe the Scriptures teach the existence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three persons Who constitute the Godhead.  Three persons, yet one essence, one in purpose, each working in perfect unity and harmony to fulfill all the perfect will of God in creation, redemption, sanctification and ultimate glory.

Matthew 28:19-20—“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to do whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Man

We believe the man was created in the likeness and image of God.  We do not believe that this occurred by any evolutionary process.  We believe man was placed in a perfect environment, the creation of God, and walked with God until by deliberate choice  he sinned and was cast out of God’s presence.  Adam, in this willful act, became the federal head of a fallen race, totally depraved, and in need of grace and mercy, deserving nothing other than physical and spiritual death, resulting in everlasting separation from God in conscious regret and pain forever.
We believe man, both by nature and by his own choice, fell from his holy estate.   God, Who is rich in mercy and in His sovereign grace, regenerates, justifies, and sanctifies repentant sinners, restoring their lost souls  to fellowship with God, both here and forever in glory.

Romans 5:12—“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

Salvation

We believe that salvation of sinners rests in the perfect work of Jesus Christ on the cross, the just for the unjust, that He might bring the lost to God.  This implies:  1. The necessity of His being born of a virgin before she “knew a man” (Luke 1:34).  Before Joseph and Mary came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  That which was conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25).  2. The eternally existing Son of God became flesh and lived among men, teaching and preaching until His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension; now to appear in the presence of God the Father and is coming again to receive His redeemed people unto Himself.

We believe that salvation may be regarded by God’s people as past, present, and future.  Salvation is by faith in the substitutionary atoning work of Jesus Christ in His death burial and resurrection from the grave (I Corinthians 15:1-8).

Romans 10:17—“Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” 

The faithful teaching and preaching of the whole counsel of God is the means used by the Holy Spirit to convict men of sin, righteousness, and certain judgment to come.  Repentance is the knowledge and sorrow for sin and the willingness to forsake all that is displeasing to God, confessing freely to Him all past sins, asking forgiveness in Jesus’ name, and making restitution so far as possible for sin to men.  Regeneration is the work of God in which the repentant sinner is born from above as the Scripture declare.

I John 1:12-13—“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” 

We believe that the church is a spiritual organism composed of all born again believers.  It is manifested in both the local bodies of New Testament believers and as the mystical body of Christ composed of all born again believers throughout the world.  Growth in grace and in the knowledge of the Son of God equips the child of God to serve Him in righteousness and true holiness in his heart, his home, his church, and among his fellowman at home and abroad.

The Rapture

We believe in the imminent, personal, and visible return of our Lord for His redeemed people (Acts 1:10-11; I Thessalonians 4:16-17).  His return will be followed by the Judgment Seat of Christ at which the redeemed will give an accounting of the deeds done in the world (II Corinthians 5:10),  This will be followed by the marriage supper of the Lamb and the coming of the Lord in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).  We believe He will then set up the millennial kingdom at the end of which the wicked dead shall be resurrected to stand before the Great White Throne.

Revelation 20:11-15—“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire, this is the second  death.”

FAQs

Whether you are moving into the area or just planning to visit, we understand that you may have questions about our church. No matter what you are looking for, our desire is that the Holy Spirit will direct you. Each of our members are still growing and we invite you to grow with us.

What Version of the Bible Do You Use?

Pastor Creed and any men that preach at our church use the King James Version (KJV), though you may occasionally see someone using a different version. Our missionaries serving in other parts of the world, where the Bible has not been translated fully, use the best translation they can find and many translate the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into foreign languages.

Am I Expected to Give an Offering?

As a visitor, you are welcome to give an offering but are not expected to do so. Our church members are encouraged to give back a portion of what God has given to them in tithes or offerings.

What Should I Wear?

Most of our members wear suits and ties or skirts and dresses. We care about your spiritual condition, not the way you dress, so we invite you to come as you are. No matter what you choose to wear, you will be welcome in our service.

Do You Support Missionaries?

Where we cannot serve on foreign fields, we pray for and financially support those who can. Our church members are encouraged to participate in our regular Faith Promise Giving program and we currently support 36 missionaries who serve all over the world.

How Can I Join?

To join our church, you must be saved and membership is given to a saved individual upon:

Joining by Baptism
Baptism is reserved for new believers, believers who have never been baptized, or believers from a different denomination. Baptism demonstrates the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Joining by Letter
A letter from a church of like faith is reserved for believers coming from another church that has closely aligned doctrinal beliefs to our church’s. The books of Romans and Philemon were such letters.

Joining by Statement of Faith
Public profession of faith and statement of baptism is reserved for baptized believers who are returning to church after a long period of absence. They are given membership by their statement that they have been saved and baptized in a church that has closely aligned doctrinal beliefs, but for different reasons stopped attending or participating in the church’s ministry. 

If you are interested in joining Temple Baptist Church, we invite you to visit and speak to Pastor Creed. Upon your agreement with our Statement of Faith, Pastor will want to meet with you before presenting you to the church. No matter your background, if you have come to know Christ as your personal Savior and are ready to take the next step in living for Him, we invite you to join us.

What Kind of Music Do You Have?

We enjoy the solid doctrine found in traditional hymns as well as some newer music. Some of the songs that we sing are contemporary (recent), but would be unrelated to the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) movement.

Do You Have Sunday School?

We have a Sunday School class for every age from newborns to senior citizens. Sunday School is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with doctrine and build relationships with other believers.

How Many Services A Week Do You Have?

We have morning and evening Sunday services and a Wednesday prayer service. Pastor Creed understands that life is busy, but he also encourages us to attend as much as we are able.

What is the Preaching Like?

Pastor Creed preaches with compassion and makes living for Christ the central theme of his sermons. He regularly speaks on topics such as Christ-like living, the family, and reaching the world with the Gospel, to name a few.

Is There A Nursery?

Our nursery is prepared to nurture newborns to children 3 years of age and is available during every regular service to care for your child in a safe, comfortable environment. All those working with children in our ministry undergo a thorough background check. 

Do You Have Programs for Children and Teens?

No matter their ages, we have plenty of activities and interests for your children  to learn God’s Word in a safe, wholesome environment. Even as infants, children are learning in our nursery and teachers are actively teaching them the Bible.

What is the Average Age of a Church Member?

Our church is blessed to have great diversity in the ages and ethnicities of our members. Although the average age of our church members is middle-age, we have activities and interests for your entire family.

Can I Take Part in Communion?

We invite anyone who is saved and has been scripturally baptized to take part in the Lord’s Supper. We believe the Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of Christ’s suffering and what God has provided for us and  should not to be taken lightly.