Lakewood Baptist Temple is an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church – a place where imperfect people are experiencing real change because of the Lord Jesus Christ, through biblical preaching from God’s Word.


Together we are discovering God’s greatness and reality of His love.

You will find Christ centered preaching,God honoring music, friendly people,  helpful teaching and ministries for everyone in your family to connect and grow.

What We Believe:

THE SCRIPTURES

We believe The Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

A.   By “The Holy Bible,” we mean that collection of 66 books from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written, does not only contain and convey the Word of God but is the very Word of God.

B.   By “Inspiration,” we mean the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old as they were moved by the Holy Ghost in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error as no other writings have ever been or will be inspired.

Psalms 19:7-11; 119:89, 130, 140, 160; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20;

Matthew 4:4; 24:35; Luke 16:31; 24:25-27 44-45; John 5:39, 45-47; 12:48; 17:17; Romans 15:4; Ephesians 6:17; II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19

THE TRUE GOD

We believe:  there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; and, that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

Genesis 17:1; Exodus 15:11; 20:2-3; Psalms 83:18; 90:2; 1247:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; Romans 11:33; I Corinthians 8:6; 12:4-6; Ephesians 4:6; I Timothy 1:17; Revelation 4:11

THE HOLY GHOST

We believe the Holy Ghost is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; and in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; for He convicts of sin, of judgment and righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.

Genesis 1:1-3; Matthew 3:11; 28:19; Luke 1:35; 3:16; 24:49; John 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11, 13; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Romans 8:14-16, 26, 27; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Hebrews 9:17; 14:26; II Thessalonians 2:7, 13.

THE DEVIL OR SATAN

We believe Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels, that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world.  We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power in back of the present apostasy, the lord of the Antichrist, and the author of all powers of darkness – destined however to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son and the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.

Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Zechariah 1:3; Matthew 4:1-3; 13:25; 25:41;  Mark 13:21, 22; John 14:30; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2;  II Thessalonians 2:8-11; I Peter 5:8; II Peter 2:4; I John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3; II John 7: Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-10; 13:13-14; 19:11, 16, 20; 20:1, 3, 10.

THE CREATION

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or developments through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animals and vegetable life were made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.”

Genesis 1:1, 11, 24-27; 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 20:12; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; 17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16, 17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6.

THE FALL OF MAN

We believe man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

Genesis 3:6, 24; Jeremiah 17:9; Ezekiel 18:19, 20; Romans 1:18-32; 3:10-19; 5:12, 19; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1,3.

THE VIRGIN BIRTH

We believe Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or could ever be born of woman, and He is both the Son of God, and God the Son.

Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Psalms 2:7; Matthew 1:18-25; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; I Corinthians 15:47; Galatians 4:4; I John 5:20.

THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN

We believe the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatory offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tender sympathies with divine perfection.  He is every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Saviour.

Isaiah 53:4-7, 11; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; I Corinthians 15:3, 20; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2; I Peter 2:24; 3:18; I John 2:2; 4:10

GRACE IN THE CREATION

We believe in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Jesus Christ; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sin is made a partaker of the Divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, or by character, or by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Ghost in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

Luke 5:27; John 1:12, 13; 3:3-8; Acts 2:41; 16:30-33; Romans 6:23; II Corinthians 5:17, 19; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:1, 8-9; Colossians 2:13; II Peter 1:2-4; 1 John 5:1

THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

Isaiah 55:1, 6, 7; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15, 16, 18, 36; 5:40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29-30; 10:13; I Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 3:12; I Thessalonians 1:4; I Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; I Peter 1:2; Revelation 22:17.

JUSTIFICATION

We believe the great gospel, which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.

Romans 3:24, Romans 3:28, Romans 5:9, Romans 8:30, I Corinthians 6:11, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:11, Galatians 3:24

THE CHURCH

We believe a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders and deacons, whose qualifications, claims; and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build up the church; and, Third, to teach and instruct as He commanded.  We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Ghost; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

Leviticus 27:32; Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; 6:5; 14:23; 15:23; 20:17-27; I Corinthians 5:11-13, 6:1-3; 16:1-2; 12:4, 8, 11; II Corinthians 8;23, 24; Ephesians 5:23-27; Colossians 1:18; I Timothy 3:1; 7-13; I Peter 5:1-4; Jude 3, 4.

REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger; and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all sufficient Saviour.

Psalm 51: 1-4, 7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37, 38; 20:21; Romans 10:9, 11, 13.

BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried; and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord’s Supper; in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and fruit of the vine  are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

Matthew 3:6, 16; 26:29; 28:29, 20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41, 42; 8;36-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians 2:12.

THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept be the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.

Psalm 121:3; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8: 23, 35-39; Hebrews 1:14; I Peter 1:5

THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

We believe there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked; and under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.

Genesis 18: 23; Proverbs 11:31; 14:32; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 7:13, 14; 25:34, 41; Luke 9:26; 16:25; John 8:21; 12:25; Acts 10:34, 35; Romans 1:17; 6:16-18, 23; 7:6; I Corinthians 15:22; Galatians 3:10; I Peter 4:18; I John 2:29; 3:7; 5:19.

CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that civil government is of Divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of earth.

Exodus 18:21, 22; II Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:1; Daniel 3:17, 18; Matthew 10:28; 22;21; 23:10; Acts 4:19, 20; 5:29; 23:5; Romans 13: 1-7; Philippians 2:10, 11; Titus 3:3; I Peter 2:13, 14, 17; Revelation 10:6.

THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS

We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value.  Of the resurrection, we believe that Christ arose bodily “the third day according to the Scriptures,” that He ascended “to the right hand of the throne of God,” that He alone is our “merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,” that, “this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like  manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven”-bodily, personally and visibly; that the “dead in Christ shall rise first;” that the living saints “shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;” that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David; and that Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until “He hath put all enemies under His feet.”

Isaiah 9:6-7: 11:4,5; Psalm 72:8; Matthew 24:27, 42; 25:13; 28:6,7; Mark 16:6, 19; Luke 24:2-6, 39, 51; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 15:4, 25, 51-51; Philippians 3:20, 21; I Thessalonians 4:16, 176; Hebrews 2:17; 8:1; 12:2; James 5:8; 1 John 2:1;  Revelation 3:21; 20:1-6.

MISSIONS

We believe the command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this commission was given to the churches.

Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15.

THE GRACE OF GIVING

We believe that God’s method of financing His earthly work of spreading the gospel to all nations, the care of the churches and the support of the ministry, is by the tithes and offerings of His people.  That it is to be given to the Lord through His church or storehouse to be distributed as directed by the leadership of the Spirit as the need arises.  The time to tithe is upon the first day of the week.  That everyone is accountable to the Lord for one-tenth of his income and that tithing was instituted long before the law was ever given and was practiced by the early church.

Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 8:7.