Letter From The Pastor

Dear Friend,

On behalf of Harbor Baptist Temple we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting our website and taking time to read this letter. Our earnest hope is that we at Harbor Baptist Temple, can be a help and blessing to you and your family.
The Bible tells us, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” (Ps 145:3). The Lord is great beyond our ability to fully know, and we strive daily at Harbor Baptist Temple to praise Him, worship Him, and honor Him as our Lord and Saviour. We praise Him with our words, in good times and in bad, we worship Him with our hearts and we honor Him with our deeds.
Harbor Baptist Temple is a congregation of God fearing and Christ loving people who are excited about what God is doing and going to do with this humble assembly. If you and your family aren’t currently members of a Bible believing, Christ centered church, we encourage you and your family to become part of our vision! If you are interested in serving God and growing in Christ likeness, then this is the church for you!
Harbor Baptist Temple is interested in the evangelism of our community. We encourage the passing out of Gospel Tracks, which teach others the true meaning of the cross. We encourage our members to pray for and seek God given opportunities to tell others of the “Good News” (The Gospel of Jesus Christ). We are also very much interested in the development of the family. We believe in the Biblical structure of the family to pass God’s heritage down from generation to generation! We would love to have you and your family come and serve the Saviour here at Harbor Baptist Temple.

Why Baptist

First and foremost, the most important thing to HBT is that we Glorify God. We believe that this is accomplished as we individually grow in our relationship with our Lord and come together to exhort and edify each other in the same.
We hold the Title of Baptist because we believe that people should know who we are. There are certain things that are distinctive to Baptists and perhaps to others who are also part of the beloved.

Baptist Distinctives

Biblical Authority in all matters of faith and practice – We believe the Bible is inspired and infallible and is the final authority. It is from God’s Word that we understand and teach the fundamental doctrines of our faith as well as pattern our church polity. (See 2 Timothy 3:16; John 17:17; Acts 17:11; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20–21.)
Autonomy or self-governing power of the local church –  We believe that every local church should be independent of a hierarchical framework or outside governmental structure. (See Colossians 1:18; Acts 13–14, 20:19–30; Ephesians 1:22–23.)
Priesthood of believers –  God’s Word assures believers that we have direct access to God through our relationship with Christ. We believe and teach that the priesthood of the believer is the unspeakably precious privilege of every child of God. (See Hebrews 4:14–16; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; 1 Peter 2:5–10.)
Two offices within the church – Scripture only mentions two church offices—pastor (also referred to as elder or bishop) and deacon. These two offices are to be filled by godly men of integrity in each local church. (See Philippians 1:1; Acts 6:1–7; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:6–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4.)
Individual soul liberty – We believe that each person must make a personal decision of repentance and faith in Christ. (See Romans 10:9–17, 14:1–23.) Separation of church and state. The state should have no power to intervene in the free expression of religious liberty. (See Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29–31; Romans 13:1–4.)
Two ordinances – baptism and the Lord’s Table (also called communion). These ordinances have no part in salvation and only serve as pictures of what Christ did for us. (See Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Acts 2:38–43, 8:36–38; Romans 6:1–6)
Separation and personal holiness – We believe that Christ sacrificed Himself to purchase our salvation. We believe that He demands our complete consecration, and we desire that our daily living would reflect the holiness of our great God. (See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Peter 1:16.)
We in no way believe that only Baptists are in a right standing with the Lord
We do not squabble over Christian liberties, but we earnestly contend for the faith.
Ro 14:1-4 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
If you would like a visit from our Pastor or more information, please contact us.

In service to Jesus Christ,

Harbor Baptist Temple

Pastor John Flowers