The Temple church of Christ invites you to attend any of our services. We love having visitors and would be honored by your presence. We are a warm, friendly, and loving congregation, and we are sure you would feel welcome.
We seek to follow the New Testament in all we do in our worship services. We aim to honor and glorify God in worshiping Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
As a congregation of the Lord’s Church, we seek to learn, grow, and love God and each other. We hope you will visit and allow us to get to know you.
God
We believe, first of all, that God is—the great ‘I AM,’ the source of all being.
Again, how does one stop there when such a weighty, awe-inspiring statement demands so much more? But for brevity’s sake, we must push on.
We believe that those who diligently seek Him are rewarded by Him in ways incomprehensible, with joy inexpressible, and with peace that passes understanding.
Believing that the God who presents Himself to us in the Bible is the only true God, we devote ourselves to Him heart, body, and soul. He is our life.
We believe that to honor Him, we must serve the needs of our fellow man with the same diligence and passion with which He does.
We believe He gave His only begotten Son that we might live; His Son died on the cross so that our penalty might be paid; He extended mercy and grace at great sacrifice to Himself. We can and will do no less.
Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He came to earth to save us from our sins and reconcile us to God the Father.
While on earth Jesus was God and man, we believe that He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for all mankind, providing the perfect sacrifice for our sins through the shedding of His blood.
We believe that He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the Father’s right hand, and will return in power and glory to receive His own.
Worship
To honor Him, we not only strive to offer Him our whole-life service every day of our lives, but we also offer Him our heartfelt worship.
In accordance with His will, each first day of the week, we humbly and obediently assemble with fellow believers to sing praises to His name and sing songs, hymns, and spiritual songs to edify one another.
In our worship, we offer Him our prayers of petition, thanksgiving, and supplication, asking that He bless us with wisdom to use for His glory all that He gives us. Our singing is acapella without the addition of instrumental music.
Every week, while assembled, we remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim his death until he returns by partaking in the Lord’s Supper.
We give attention to the reading and teaching of His word so that our lives might be strengthened spiritually and that our spirits might be emboldened to carry out our God-given commission to go into all the world, teaching the good news of salvation and making disciples.
Also, upon the first day of the week, to support the works of His kingdom locally and throughout the world, we give back to Him financially as He has prospered us. We find instructions for these efforts to honor Him in the New Testament.
The Church
Acts 2 details how the church began and also contains many facts related the the church that Jesus established, such as:
Formation at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4):
- The church was birthed on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. They were gathered together in one place, and the Spirit enabled them to speak in various languages (tongues), marking the beginning of the church’s public witness.
Multicultural and Linguistic Outreach (Acts 2:5-11):
- The church immediately attracted a diverse crowd from various regions (Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, etc.). The apostles’ Spirit-empowered speech in different languages allowed people from different nations to hear the gospel in their native tongues, indicating the church’s universal mission from its inception.
Peter’s Preaching and Christ-Centered Message (Acts 2:14-36):
- The church’s early proclamation focused on Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Joel 2:28-32, Psalm 16:8-11). Peter’s sermon emphasized repentance, faith in Jesus and baptism for salvation, establishing the church’s core message.
Mass Conversion and Baptism (Acts 2:37-41):
- About 3,000 people responded to Peter’s call to repent and be baptized, joining the church in a single day. Baptism was administered “in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins,” and recipients received the gift of the Holy Spirit, showing that conversion, baptism, and the Spirit’s indwelling were foundational to church membership.
Devotion to Specific Practices (Acts 2:42):
- The early church devoted itself to four key activities:
- The apostles’ teaching: Learning from the apostles’ instructions about Jesus and His teachings.
- Fellowship: Sharing in community and mutual support.
- Breaking of bread: Referring the Lord’s Supper.
- Prayer: Regular corporate and individual prayer.
Communal Life and Generosity (Acts 2:44-45):
- Believers were united, holding “everything in common.” They sold property and possessions to meet the needs of others, demonstrating radical generosity and a commitment to caring for the poor within the community.
Regular Gatherings and Growth (Acts 2:46-47):
- The church met daily in the temple courts for worship and teaching and in homes for fellowship and meals. They did so with “glad and sincere hearts,” reflecting joy and unity. The church grew daily as “the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
Public Favor and Evangelistic Impact (Acts 2:47):
- The early church enjoyed “the favor of all the people,” suggesting a positive public reputation, likely due to their generosity and transformed lives.
Leadership by Apostles (Acts 2:42-43):
- The apostles played a central role as leaders, teaching with authority and performing miracles, establishing them as the foundational figures in the church’s early structure.
We believe that all of Scripture is inspired by God and provides everything we need to live a life that pleases Him.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” — 2 Peter 1:3
Because of this, we strive to worship in the same way the first-century Church did when it was established by Christ and His Apostles.
Our desire is for pure Christianity with no additional creeds, simply the Bible in its entirety is why our congregation is pastored by a group of men called Elders
“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” — 1 Timothy 3:1-8
It’s also why our ministers do not take confession, and why our church family addresses each other simply as brother or sister.
Salvation
YOU MUST HEAR THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
You must hear the gospel and then understand and recognize that you are lost without Jesus Christ no matter who you are and no matter what your background is.
The Bible tells us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” — Romans 3:23
Before you can be saved, you must understand that you are lost and that the only way to be saved is by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 2 Thessalonians 1:8
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” — John 14:6
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12
YOU MUST BELIEVE JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD
You must believe and have faith in God because:
“without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” — Hebrews 11:6
But neither belief alone nor faith alone is sufficient to save.
“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” — James 2:19
“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” — James 2:24
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” — Matthew 7:21
YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS
You must repent of your sins.
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” — Acts 3:19
But repentance alone is not enough. The so-called “Sinner’s Prayer” that you hear so much about today from denominational preachers does not appear anywhere in the Bible.
Indeed, nowhere in the Bible was anyone ever told to pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” to be saved. By contrast, there are numerous examples showing that prayer alone does not save.
Saul, for example, prayed following his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
“So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.” — Acts 9:11
But Saul was still in his sins when Ananias met him three days later.
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ — Acts 22:16
Cornelius prayed to God always, and yet there was something else he needed to do to be saved.
“a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.” — Acts 10:2
“He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” — Acts 10:6
“So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.” — Acts 10:33
“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.” — Acts 10:48
If prayer alone did not save Saul or Cornelius, it will not save you either. You must obey the gospel.
“in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 2 Thessalonians 1:8
YOU MUST CONFESS JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD
You must, with sincere heart-belief, confess that Jesus is Lord. He is Lord whether you confess it or not, but it is unto your salvation that you must acknowledge His deity and His ownership.
“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” — Romans 10:9-10
This confession is the external expression of an internal spirit of complete submission to every aspect of His word and will. As with faith and repentance, confession alone does not save.
““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” — Matthew 7:21
YOU MUST BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION
Having believed, repented, and confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, you must be baptized for the remission of your sins.
“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” — Acts 2:38
It is at this point (and not before) that your sins are forgiven.
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ — Acts 22:16
It is impossible to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without teaching the absolute necessity of baptism for salvation.
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” — Acts 8:35-36
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” — Romans 6:3-4
“There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” — 1 Peter 3:21
Anyone who responds to the question in Acts 2:37 (“Men and brethren, what shall we do?”) with an answer that contradicts Acts 2:38 is NOT proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!
YOU MUST LIVE FAITHFULLY UNTO DEATH
Once you are saved, God adds you to His church and writes your name in the Book of Life.
“praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” — Acts 2:47
“And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” — Philippians 4:3
To continue in God’s grace, you must continue to serve God faithfully until death.
Unless they remain faithful, those who are in God’s grace will fall from grace, and those whose names are in the Book of Life will have their names blotted out of that book.
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” — Revelation 2:10
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” — Revelation 3:5
“You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” — Galatians 5:4