We believe that water baptism is an outward sign to the world of the inner change that has occurred in the life of one who has accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. We firmly believe that baptism in and of itself cannot save an individual from sin, for simple child-like faith and belief in Christ Jesus is what brings about salvation. We believe that Christ Jesus himself submitted to the ordinance of baptism under the hand of John the Baptist, thereby setting an example for all believers to follow. Our church follows the explicit command of Christ to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost and when baptism is performed, we totally submerge in water. In so doing, such action symbolically identifies with the death, the burial and the resurrection of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Our church is a Pentecostal church, and being such, we believe in the Pentecostal experience as described in Acts Chapter 2 of the Holy Scriptures. We believe that the Holy Ghost, sometimes referred to as the Holy Spirit, is the third person of the Godhead and we believe that His ministry is still active and apparent in the world today. The Holy Ghost is God’s Spirit and is the active, moving force of God’s presence. We recognize the operation of His office and person throughout the bible, and find his ministry evident in both the Old and New Testaments. We believe that the Holy Ghost participates in the process of conversion by bringing about conviction upon the heart of the unrepentant sinner and that it is Christ Jesus himself that baptizes in the Holy Ghost.

We believe that the Holy Ghost comes to lead and to guide into all truth, that he is a helper, that he assists in bringing to remembrance the word of God into the heart and mind of the believer, that he edifies the believer by building him up on his most holy faith and gives the believer boldness to witness effectively, that he is a comforter, that he comes to reprove the world of sin, and that he comes to glorify the name of Jesus Christ throughout all of the earth. We believe that one of the manifestations of the Holy Ghost’s presence in a believer is the ability to speak in an unknown tongue as the Spirit gives utterance. We further believe that all of the spiritual gifts given by Christ to the body of believers are operated, orchestrated, and executed by unction of the Holy Ghost. We thank and praise God for the Holy Ghost, and welcome him in our services for where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty!

We believe that Holy Communion is one of the sacred ordinances established by Christ. It is a solemn service of commemoration in which each and every child of God is extended the opportunity to symbolically partake of the body and blood of our eternal savior, Jesus Christ: his body being represented by unleavened bread and his blood represented by the fruit of the vine or wine. We believe that as often as we receive this bread and drink of this cup we show forth Christ’s death until he return. We further believe that Holy Communion should only be received by those who have been born again or regenerated and that sickness and death may occur if one partakes of it unworthily. We also believe in and practice foot washing as part of this service in harmony with Christ’s example.

We believe that marriage is an honorable estate established by God and that it should not be entered into lightly. We believe that the purpose of marriage is to enable mankind to be fruitful, to multiply and to replenish the earth. To accomplish this, we believe that a man must leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. We further believe that if a man is to be married, he should be in a position to support and provide for his family: he should, therefore, get a job and be able to maintain gainful employment to insure that his family does not suffer lack. We believe that for the marriage covenant to be valid, it should be between one man and one woman, and that the marriage status should endure until death separates them. We, therefore, believe that same sex marriage is sinful, and an abomination in the eyes of God. We further believe that a same sex marriage relationship is null and void from its inception, and such being the case, the parties thereto will have no part in the kingdom of God, except they repent and turn away from their sin(s).

We believe that God hates divorce and that every effort should be made, if at all possible, to remain married until death parts either the husband or his wife. We believe that if either partner to a legitimate marriage in the eyes of God (one between a man and a woman) are unable to resolve their differences, they are permitted to separate from their spouse for a season; and while separated, each spouse should remain faithful to their marriage vows and not seek to enter into another relationship, or another marriage. When and if relations improve, we believe that they should be reconciled to their original spouse or remain unmarried. It is our belief that there exist only two valid grounds for divorce in the eyes of God:

1). Adultery

2). If a partner to a marriage decides that they no longer want to be married to their spouse because of their faith and relationship with Christ Jesus.

We believe that the relationship between a man and a woman, who have entered into Holy Matrimony, should be a peculiar witness to the world; and that unique witness should be an exact reflection of the spiritual union between Christ Jesus and his bride, the church.

Temple of Praise Church of God In Christ

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 1224

Canton, MS 39046

Email:

info@templeofpraiseoutreach.org