BELIEFS
I. The Triune God
1. We believe in one eternally existent, infinite God, Sovereign of the
universe; that He only is God, creative and administrative, holy in nature,
attributes, and purpose; that He, as God, is Triune in essential being, revealed
as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 5:16; 6:1-7; 40:1831;
Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; John 14:6-27; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14;
Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 2:13-18)
II. Jesus Christ
2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead; that He
was eternally one with the Father; that He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit
and was born of the Virgin Mary, so that two whole and perfect natures, that is
to say the Godhead and manhood, are thus united in one Person very God and very
man, the God-man. We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that He
truly arose from the dead and took again His body, together with all things
appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith He ascended into
heaven and is there engaged in intercession for us.
(Matthew 1:20-25; 16:15-16; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1-18; Acts 2:22-36; Romans
8:3, 32-34; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:12-22; 1 Timothy
6:14-16; Hebrews 1:1-5; 7:22-28; 9:24-28; 1 John 1:1-3; 4:2-3, 15)
III. The Holy Spirit
3. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune Godhead, that
He is ever present and efficiently active in and with the Church of Christ,
convincing the world of sin, regenerating those who repent and believe,
sanctifying believers, and guiding into all truth as it is in Jesus.
(John 7:39; 14:15-18, 26; 16:7-15; Acts 2:33; 15:8-9; Romans 8:1-27;
Galatians 3:1-14; 4:6; Ephesians 3:14-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8; 2 Thessalonians
2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 3:24; 4:13)
IV. The Holy Scriptures
4. We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by which we
understand the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine
inspiration, inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us in all things
necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to
be enjoined as an article of faith.
(Luke 24:44-47; John 10:35; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter
1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
V. Sin, Original and Personal
5. We believe that sin came into the world through the disobedience of our first
parents, and death by sin. We believe that sin is of two kinds: original sin or
depravity, and actual or personal sin.
5.1. We believe that original sin, or depravity, is that
corruption of the nature of all the offspring of Adam by reason of which
everyone is very far gone from original righteousness or the pure state of our
first parents at the time of their creation, is averse to God, is without
spiritual life, and inclined to evil, and that continually. We further believe
that original sin continues to exist with the new life of the regenerate, until
the heart is fully cleansed by the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
5.2. We believe that original sin differs from actual sin in
that it constitutes an inherited propensity to actual sin for which no one is
accountable until its divinely provided remedy is neglected or rejected.
5.3. We believe that actual or personal sin is a voluntary
violation of a known law of God by a morally responsible person. It is therefore
not to be confused with involuntary and inescapable shortcomings, infirmities,
faults, mistakes, failures, or other deviations from a standard of perfect
conduct that are the residual effects of the Fall. However, such innocent
effects do not include attitudes or responses contrary to the spirit of Christ,
which may properly be called sins of the spirit. We believe that personal sin is
primarily and essentially a violation of the law of love; and that in relation
to Christ sin may be defined as unbelief.
(Original sin: Genesis 3; 6:5; Job 15:14; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Mark
7:21-23; Romans 1:18-25; 5:12-14; 7:1-8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Galatians
5:16-25; 1 John 1:7-8 Personal sin: Matthew 22:36-40 {with 1 John 3:4}; John
8:34-36; 16:8-9; Romans 3:23; 6:15-23; 8:18-24; 14:23; 1 John 1:9-2:4; 3:7-10)
VI. Atonement
6. We believe that Jesus Christ, by His sufferings, by the shedding of His own
blood, and by His death on the Cross, made a full atonement for all human sin,
and that this Atonement is the only ground of salvation, and that it is
sufficient for every individual of Adam's race. The Atonement is graciously
efficacious for the salvation of the irresponsible and for the children in
innocency but is efficacious for the salvation of those who reach the age of
responsibility only when they repent and believe.
(Isaiah 53:5-6, 11; Mark 10:45; Luke 24:46-48; John 1:29; 3:14-17; Acts
4:10-12; Romans 3:21-26; 4:17-25; 5:6-21; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Corinthians
5:14-21; Galatians 1:3-4; 3:13-14; Colossians 1:19-23; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; Titus
2:11-14; Hebrews 2:9; 9:11-14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:18-21; 2:19-25; 1John 2:1-2)
VII. Prevenient Grace
7. We believe that the human race's creation in Godlikeness included ability to
choose between right and wrong, and that thus human beings were made morally
responsible; that through the fall of Adam they became depraved so that they
cannot now turn and prepare themselves by their own natural strength and works
to faith and calling upon God. But we also believe that the grace of God through
Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all people, enabling all who will to turn
from sin to righteousness, believe on Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from
sin, and follow good works pleasing and acceptable in His sight. We believe that
all persons, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and
entire sanctification, may fall from grace and apostatize and, unless they
repent of their sins, be hopelessly and eternally lost.
(Godlikeness and moral responsibility: Genesis 1:26-27; 2:16-17; Deuteronomy
28:1-2; 30:19; Joshua 24:15; Psalm 8:3-5; Isaiah 1:8-10; Jeremiah 31:29-30;
Ezekiel 18:1-4; Micah 6:8; Romans 1:19-20; 2:1-16; 14:7-12; Galatians 6:7-8
Natural inability: Job 14:4; 15:14; Psalms 14:1-4; 51:5; John 3:6a; Romans
3:10-12; 5:12-14, 20a; 7:14-25 Free grace and works of faith: Ezekiel 18:25-26;
John 1:12-13; 3:6b; Acts 5:31; Romans 5:6-8, 18; 6:15-16, 23; 10:6-8; 11:22; 1
Corinthians 2:9-14; 10:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians
2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 4:10a; Titus 2:11-14;
Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12-15; 6:4-6; 10:26-31; James 2:18-22; 2 Peter 1:10-11;
2:20-22)
VIII. Repentance
8. We believe that repentance, which is a sincere and thorough change of the
mind in regard to sin, involving a sense of personal guilt and a voluntary
turning away from sin, is demanded of all who have by act or purpose become
sinners against God. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent the gracious
help of penitence of heart and hope of mercy, that they may believe unto pardon
and spiritual life.
(2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 32:5-6; 51:1-17; Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 3:1214;
Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:14-16; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 3:1-14; 13:1-5; 18:914; Acts
2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 17:30-31; 26:16-18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11; 1
Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9)
IX. Justification, Regeneration, and
Adoption
9. We believe that justification is the gracious and judicial act of God by
which He grants full pardon of all guilt and complete release from the penalty
of sins committed, and acceptance as righteous, to all who believe on Jesus
Christ and receive Him as Lord and Savior.
10. We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that gracious work of God
whereby the moral nature of the repentant believer is spiritually quickened and
given a distinctively spiritual life, capable of faith, love, and
obedience.
11. We believe that adoption is that gracious act of God by which the justified
and regenerated believer is constituted a son of God.
12. We believe that justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous
in the experience of seekers after God and are obtained upon the condition of
faith, preceded by repentance; and that to this work and state of grace the Holy
Spirit bears witness.
(Luke 18:14; John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; 5:24; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 3:21-26, 28;
4:5-9, 17-25; 5:1, 16-19; 6:4; 7:6; 8:1, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; 2
Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16-21; 3:1-14, 26; 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:6-7; 2:1,
4-5; Philippians 3:3-9; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 1:9;
3:1-2, 9; 4:7; 5:1, 9-13, 18)
X. Entire Sanctification
13. We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to
regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity,
and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of
love made perfect. It is wrought by the baptism with the Holy Spirit, and
comprehends in one experience the cleansing of the heart from sin and the
abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for
life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is
wrought instantaneously by faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this
work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness. This experience is also
known by various terms representing its different phases, such as
"Christian perfection," "perfect love," "heart
purity," "the baptism with the Holy Spirit," "the fullness
of the blessing," and "Christian holiness."
14. We believe that there is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a
mature character. The former is obtained in an instant, the result of entire
sanctification; the latter is the result of growth in grace. We believe that the
grace of entire sanctification includes the impulse to grow in grace. However,
this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and careful attention given to the
requisites and processes of spiritual development and improvement in
Christlikeness of character and personality. Without such purposeful endeavor,
one's witness may be impaired and the grace itself frustrated and ultimately
lost.
(Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke
3:16-17; John 7:37-39; 14:15-23; 17:6-20; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9; Romans
6:11-13, 19; 8:1-4, 8-14; 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Galatians 2:20;
5:16-25; Ephesians 3:14-21; 5:17-18, 25-27; Philippians 3:10-15; Colossians
3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 4:9-11; 10:10-17; 12:1-2; 13:12; 1 John
1:7, 9) ("Christian perfection," "perfect love": Deuteronomy
30:6; Matthew 5:43-48; 22:37-40; Romans 12:9-21; 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13;
Philippians 3:10-15; Hebrews 6:1; 1 John 4:17-18 "Heart purity":
Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:8-9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:3 "Baptism with the Holy
Spirit": Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew
3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9 "Fullness of the
blessing": Romans 15:29 "Christian holiness": Matthew 5:1-7:29;
John 15:1-11; Romans 12:1- 15:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17-5:20;
Philippians 1:9-11; 3:1215; Colossians 2:20-3:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7-8;
5:23; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; Hebrews 10:19-25; 12:14; 13:20-21; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2
Peter 1:1-11; 3:18; Jude 20-21)
XI. The Church
15. We believe in the Church, the community that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord,
the covenant people of God made new in Christ, the Body of Christ called
together by the Holy Spirit through the Word. God calls the Church to express
its life in the unity and fellowship of the Spirit; in worship through the
preaching of the Word, observance of the sacraments, and ministry in His name;
by obedience to Christ and mutual accountability. The mission of the Church in
the world is to continue the redemptive work of Christ in the power of the
Spirit through holy living, evangelism, discipleship, and service.
The Church is a historical reality,
which organizes itself in culturally conditioned forms; exists both as local
congregations and as a universal body; sets apart persons called of God for
specific ministries. God calls the Church to live under His rule in anticipation
of the consummation at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Exodus 19:3; Jeremiah 31:33; Matthew 8:11; 10:7; 16:13-19, 24; 18:1520;
28:19-20; John 17:14-26; 20:21-23; Acts 1:7-8; 2:32-47; 6:1-2; 13:1; 14:23;
Romans 2:28-29; 4:16; 10:9-15; 11:13-32; 12:1-8; 15:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9;
7:17; 11:1, 17-33; 12:3, 12-31; 14:26-40; 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:1; Galatians 5:6,
13-14; 6:1-5, 15; Ephesians 4:1-17; 5:25-27; Philippians 2:1-16; 1 Thessalonians
4:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:13; Hebrews 10:19-25; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 13; 2:4-12, 21; 4:1-2,
10-11; 1 John 4:17; Jude 24; Revelation 5:9-10)
XII. Baptism
16. We believe that Christian baptism, commanded by our Lord, is a sacrament
signifying acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ, to be
administered to believers and declarative of their faith in Jesus Christ as
their Savior, and full purpose of obedience in holiness and righteousness.
Baptism being a symbol of the new covenant, young children may be baptized, upon
request of parents or guardians who shall give assurance for them of necessary
Christian training.
Baptism may be administered by
sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the applicant.
(Matthew
3:1-7; 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41; 8:35-39; 10:44-48; 16:29-34; 19:16; Romans 6:3-4;
Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:18-22)
XIII. The Lord's Supper
17. We believe that the Memorial and Communion Supper instituted by our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ is essentially a New Testament sacrament, declarative of His
sacrificial death, through the merits of which believers have life and salvation
and promise of all spiritual blessings in Christ. It is distinctively for those
who are prepared for reverent appreciation of its significance, and by it they
show forth the Lord's death till He come again. It being the Communion feast,
only those who have faith in Christ and love for the saints should be called to
participate therein.
(Exodus 12:1-14; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke
22:17-20; John 6:28-58; 1 Corinthians 10:14-21; 11:23-32)
XIV. Divine Healing
18. We believe in the Bible doctrine of divine healing and urge our people to
seek to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. We also believe
God heals through the means of medical science.
(2 Kings 5:1-19; Psalm 103:1-5; Matthew 4:23-24; 9:18-35; John 4:46-54; Acts
5:12-16; 9:32-42; 14:8-15; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; James
5:13-16)
XV. Second Coming of Christ
19. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again; that we who are alive
at His coming shall not precede them that are asleep in Christ Jesus; but that,
if we are abiding in Him, we shall be caught up with the risen saints to meet
the Lord in the air, so that we shall ever be with the Lord.
(Matthew 25:31-46; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 3:20-21; 1
Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 9:26-28; 2 Peter 3:3-15;
Revelation 1:7-8; 22:7-20)
XVI. Resurrection, Judgment, and
Destiny
20. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, that the bodies both of the just
and of the unjust shall be raised to life and united with their
spirits-"they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they
that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
21. We believe in future judgment in which every person shall appear before God
to be judged according to his or her deeds in this life.
22. We believe that glorious and everlasting life is assured to all who savingly
believe in, and obediently follow, Jesus Christ our Lord; and that the finally
impenitent shall suffer eternally in hell.
(Genesis 18:25; 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 50:6; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2-3;
Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-31; 20:27-38; John 3:16-18; 5:25-29;
11:21-27; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 2:1-16; 14:7-12; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; 2
Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15; 22:1-15)
THE CHURCH
I. The General Church
23. The Church of God is composed of all spiritually regenerate persons, whose
names are written in heaven.
II. The Churches Severally
24. The churches severally are to be composed of such regenerate persons as by
providential permission, and by the leadings of the Holy Spirit, become
associated together for holy fellowship and ministries.
III. The Church of the Nazarene
25. The Church of the Nazarene is composed of those persons who have voluntarily
associated themselves together according to the doctrines and polity of said
church, and who seek holy Christian fellowship, the conversion of sinners, the
entire sanctification of believers, their upbuilding in holiness, and the
simplicity and spiritual power manifest in the primitive New Testament Church,
together with the preaching of the gospel to every creature.
IV. Agreed Statement of Belief
26. Recognizing that the right and privilege of persons to church membership
rest upon the fact of their being regenerate, we would require only such avowals
of belief as are essential to Christian experience. We, therefore, deem belief
in the following brief statements to be sufficient. We believe:
26.1. In one God-the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
26.2. That the
Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all
truth necessary to faith and Christian living.
26.3. That man is born with a fallen nature, and is,
therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.
26.4. That the finally impenitent are hopelessly and
eternally lost.
26.5. That the atonement through Jesus Christ is for the
whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus
Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin.
26.6. That believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent
to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
26.7. That the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth,
and also to the entire sanctification of believers.
26.8. That our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and
the final judgment will take place.
V. The [General Rules] Covenant of
Christian Character
27. To be identified with the visible Church is the blessed privilege and sacred
duty of all who are saved from their sins and are seeking completeness in Christ
Jesus. It is required of all who desire to unite with the Church of the
Nazarene, and thus to walk in fellowship with us, that they shall show evidence
of salvation from their sins by a godly walk and vital piety; and that they
shall be, or earnestly desire to be, cleansed from all indwelling sin. They
shall evidence their commitment to God-
27.1. FIRST. By doing that which is enjoined in the Word of
God, which is our rule of both faith and practice, including:
(1) Loving God with all the heart,
soul, mind, and strength, and one's neighbor as oneself (Exodus 20:3-6;
Leviticus 19:17-18; Deuteronomy 5:7-10; 6:4-5; Mark 12:28-31; Romans 13:8-10).
(2) Pressing upon the attention of
the unsaved the claims of the gospel, inviting them to the house of the Lord,
and trying to compass their salvation (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Romans
1:14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
(3) Being courteous to all men (Ephesians
4:32; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John 3:18).
(4) Being helpful to those who are
also of the faith, in love forbearing one another (Romans 12:13; Galatians
6:2, 10; Colossians 3:12-14).
(5) Seeking to do good to the bodies
and souls of men; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and
imprisoned, and ministering to the needy, as opportunity and ability are given
(Matthew
25:35-36; 2 Corinthians 9:8-10; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:1718).
(6) Contributing to the support of
the ministry and the church and its work in tithes and offerings (Malachi
3:10; Luke 6:38; 1 Corinthians 9:14; 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Philippians
4:15-19).
(7)
Attending faithfully all the ordinances of God, and the means of grace,
including the public worship of God (Hebrews 10:25), the ministry of the
Word (Acts 2:42), the sacrament of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians
11:23-30); searching the Scriptures and meditating thereon (Acts 17:11; 2
Timothy 2:15; 3:14-16); family and private devotions (Deuteronomy 6:6-7;
Matthew 6:6).
27.2. SECOND. By avoiding evil of every kind,
including:
(1) Taking the name of God in vain (Exodus
20:7; Leviticus 19:12; James 5:12).
(2) Profaning of the Lord's Day by
participation in unnecessary secular activities, thereby indulging in practices
that deny its sanctity (Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13-14; Mark 2:27-28; Acts
20:7; Revelation 1:10).
(3) Sexual immorality, such as
premarital or extramarital relations, perversion in any form, or looseness and
impropriety of conduct (Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11;
Galatians 5:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7).
(4) Habits or practices known to
be destructive of physical and mental well-being. Christians are to regard
themselves as temples of the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 20:1; 23:1-3; 1
Corinthians 6:17-20; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:18).
(5) Quarreling, returning evil for
evil, gossiping, slandering, spreading surmises injurious to the good names of
others (2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:15; Ephesians 4:30-32; James 3:5-18;
1 Peter 3:9-10).
(6) Dishonesty, taking advantage in
buying and selling, bearing false witness, and like works of darkness (Leviticus
19:10-11; Romans 12:17; 1 Corinthians 6:7-10).
(7) The indulging of pride in dress
or behavior. Our people are to dress with the Christian simplicity and modesty
that become holiness (Proverbs 29:23; 1 Timothy 2:8-10; James 4:6; 1 Peter
3:3-4; 1 John 2:15-17).
(8) Music, literature, and
entertainments that dishonor God (1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17;
James 4:4).
27.3. THIRD. By abiding in hearty fellowship with the church,
not inveighing against but wholly committed to its doctrines and usages and
actively involved in its continuing witness and outreach (Ephesians 2:18-22;
4:1-3, 11-16; Philippians 2:1-8; 1 Peter 2:9-10)
- taken from the "Manual" of the Church of the Nazarene -
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Mission of the Church of the Nazarene:
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