OUR BELIEFS
I. The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God, that it is the authority and inspiration for the faith practice of the Christian life, and that every Christian has an individual responsibility to God to discover the meaning of the Scriptures for his own life. (I Timothy 3:16-17; I Thessalonians 2:13 ; II Peter 1:19-21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31,32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32; I Cor. 4:6)
II. God
We believe that God is the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of Heaven and Earth. (Luke 10:21,22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; I Timothy 1:1,2; 2:5,6; I Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6)
III. Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son, was God in the flesh, revealed and that He came into the world that the world through Him can be saved from sin. (John 1:1-5,14, Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrews 1:2, John 8:58, 17:5, Matthew 16:13-20, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38, John 1:14, 14:7-11)
VI. The Trinity
We believe in the triune God; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. (Genesis 1:1,26; John 1:1,3; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; Romans 1:19,20; Ephesians 4:5,6)
V. The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine person, equal with the Father and Son and of the same substance and nature; that He convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment, bears witness to the truth, is the agent of the new birth, and that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses to, sanctifies, and helps the believer, indwelling every true child of God (John 14:16-17; 26; John 16:9-15; Rom.8:9; 14-27; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 13:14; Galatians 5:22-26).
VI. Humanity
We believe that God created humanity, male and female, in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26-31, 2:4-25)
VII. Satan
We believe in the distinct personality of the devil, who is still working in the world to destroy the souls of humankind. We believe that Satan is a personal being, a fallen angel who, because of pride and disobedience to God, was exiled from the presence of God. He is the unholy god and the ruler of the powers of darkness, the arch enemy of humanity's acceptance of Christ. His final destiny is defeat and eternal condemnation to the lake of fire along with all who have not received Christ as their personal Savior. (Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isa 14:12-17; Matt.4:1-3; Matt 13:19,39; Matt.25:41; 2 Cor.4:4; Rev.20:10).
VIII. Salvation
We believe in the personal salvation of believers through the shed blood of Jesus Christ by accepting Christ as Savior. God imputes His righteousness to those who put their faith on Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby justified them in His sight. The born-again believer is justified because of his/her new relationship in Christ and sanctified through the redemptive work of Christ and the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit. All who are born of God are eternally secure in Him and will share eternal glory in heaven with Christ. (Jn 3:16, Jn 3:36; Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12; Matt 7:13,14; Eph 2:8,9; Jn 3:3; I Jn 5:1)
IX. Sanctification
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual regeneration must precede baptism and commemoration of the Lord’s Supper. (2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 8:1-2; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23)
X. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe in water baptism, through immersion as an act of obedience and in Holy Communion (The Lord’s Supper) and that they should be observed by all believers until Christ’s return. While they are not essential to salvation, they are essential to discipleship and obedience. We believe that through baptism, one expresses one’s identity through and identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is incorporated into the family of God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper represents the price that was paid for salvation, being the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is observed in obedience to and in the presence of the Risen Lord and not only reflects upon His death, but also anticipates His Second Coming. (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-5; 2 Corinthians 11:17-34; Matthew 26:17-30)
XI. The Church
We believe, as a local community of Christians that we are a part of Christ's Church, which is universal in scope. Therefore, we believe that we should witness and work for Christ in fellowship with all children of God in an effort to oppose evil and extend the Kingdom of God throughout the world. (Ephesians 2:19-22; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:19-21; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25; Ephesians 4:1-16)
XII. Christian Conduct
We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of others; that his/her conduct should be blameless before the world; that he/she should be a faithful steward of his/her possessions; and that he/she should seek to realize for him/herself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ. We believe that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 12:1-3; Hebrews 12:1-2; John 14:15,23-24; I John 2:3-6; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Col. 1:9-10)
XIII. Stewardship
We believe that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to God. We are under obligation to serve God with our time, talents, and material possessions and should recognize all these as entrusted to us to use for the glory of God and helping others. (1 Chronicles 29:3-4; Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Matthew 25:14-30; Proverbs 3:9-10; Proverbs 3:27-28)
XIV. Repentance and Faith
We believe that God is faithful and just to forgive all people who confess their sins and profess their faith in Jesus Christ, and that they, regardless of creed of race, become the children of God and Christian brothers and sisters. (1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1-2; Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 1:7-8; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Luke 6:37; Luke 7:47-48)
Our History
New Jerusalem Free Will (Community) Baptist Church was founded and organized December 1982 in Durham, North Carolina under the leadership of Bishop Bennie Griffin, Jr. We did not have a church of our own in which to worship but worshipped for five years at the Birchwood Community Center on Walton Street.
Construction on our present sanctuary began November 1986 and was completed May 1987. Dedication service was held May 10,e1987.