Q. Do I have to go through the Temple to become a member of the Church? Will a Temple have to be built before the Church can start growing?

A. No. Passage through the temple is now only required of ordinands to the Priesthood though previously this was not so. The conditions of membership in the Church were much stricter in the former organisation (Independent Church/NCCF) as part of the process of gathering the first leaders of the Church. With the assembly of the leadership in Zion accomplished, the former proceedures are no longer required. However, whilst entry into the Covenant is now considerably easier, entry into Priesthood Orders is not: Yahweh has not relaxed His requirements in this area. However, whereas ordinands had to take part in numerous temple sessions each year for instruction in the previous Church organisation, most of this will now be handled by the Priesthood Schools of the Local Colonies.

A temple building is not required for the establishment of Local Colonies but for the establishment of Firstborn Colonies. It will be possible for members to advance in their Priesthood education and covenants without ever entering a Temple. However, local Colonies will have a special room(s) for Priesthood education, as meeting houses are constructed, which will serve as local temple space.

Temples are not required for salvation, as Yah'shua (Jesus) taught, but they are desirable, and thus a high priority, as an aid to sanctification. There will never be more than 12 temples, and these will be centred on firstborn colonies, to which all ordinands will be encouraged to visit at least once in their lives for fellowship and praise. The greater New Covenant Temple is the Body of the Saints and is without walls.

This page was created on 16 October 1997 Last updated on 26 February 1998

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