Temple Hills Church of God

For over half a century Temple Hills Baptist Church has stood strong. It served the Temple Hills community in Prince Georges County Maryland. Founded in 1953 as a mission church it maintained a distinctly Christian presence. The church faced new challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. Its mission and vision remained current. Holding to God’s Word the church sought to make and equip disciples. Temple Hills Baptist Church wasn’t perfect. It believed the Lord provided an open door for ministry. This extended to the community and beyond. The church invited all to join in God’s work. This was for the good of His people and His glory. The church’s statement of faith summarized the Bible’s most important teachings. It wasn’t divinely inspired but useful for unity. The statement drew from the New Hampshire Confession of Faith. This was slightly revised in 1853. The church believed in the Holy Bible as divinely inspired. It considered the Bible a treasure of heavenly instruction. It believed in one living and true God. This God was an intelligent Spirit the Maker and Supreme Ruler. God was glorious and worthy of honor. The church affirmed the unity of the Godhead. This included three persons Father Son and Holy Ghost. These were equal and executed distinct offices in redemption. Temple Hills Baptist Church believed in the fall of man. Man was created in holiness but fell through transgression. All mankind became sinners inclined to evil. They believed salvation was wholly of grace through the Son of God. Christ took on human nature without sin. He honored the law and made atonement. He rose from the dead and is now enthroned in heaven. He is a compassionate and sufficient Savior. The church believed in justification including pardon and eternal life. This wasn’t based on works but solely on faith in Christ’s blood. Justification brought peace with God and secured blessings. Temple Hills Baptist Church believed in the freeness of salvation. All were free to accept it through faith. Nothing prevents salvation except inherent depravity and rejection. They believed in regeneration or being born again. Regeneration is giving a holy disposition. It’s effected by the Holy Spirit. Evidence is seen in repentance faith and new life. The church believed in repentance and faith. These were inseparable graces wrought by the Holy Spirit. They involved conviction and turning to God. It included receiving Christ as Savior. They believed in God’s purpose of grace. This was His eternal purpose of regeneration sanctification and salvation. This was consistent with free agency. It promoted humility love and trust. They believed in sanctification a progressive work begun in regeneration. It was carried on by the Holy Spirit through means like God’s Word prayer and self-denial. Temple Hills Baptist Church believed in the perseverance of saints. True believers endure to the end. They are kept by God’s power through faith. The church believed in the harmony of the law and the gospel. The law is an unchangeable rule. The gospel delivers from sin and restores obedience. They believed in a visible church of baptized believers. This observed Christ’s ordinances and exercised gifts. Scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. The church believed in baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is immersion in water. This shows faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. The Lord’s Supper commemorates Christ’s love. They believed in the Christian Sabbath. The first day of the week is sacred for religious purposes. They believed in civil government. This is divinely appointed for society’s good order. Magistrates are to be honored and obeyed except when against Christ. The church believed in a distinction between the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are justified and sanctified. The wicked are impenitent and under the curse. They believed in a world to come. Christ will return to raise the dead. There will be a separation with the wicked facing punishment and the righteous facing joy. This judgment will fix the final state forever.