​The Church of the Nazarene is the largest denomination in the classical Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. We believe that God calls Christians to a life of loving God and loving others. The doctrine that distinguishes the Church of the Nazarene and other Wesleyan denominations from most other Christian denominations is that of entire sanctification, holy living that is marked by an act of God, cleansing the heart from original sin and filling the individual with love for God and humankind. This experience is marked by entire consecration of the believer to do God’s will and is followed by a life of seeking to serve God through service to others. Like salvation, entire sanctification is an act of God’s grace, not of works. Our pursuant service to God is an act of love whereby we show our appreciation for the grace that has been extended to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In short, love God, love others. 

Our Beliefs

The Church of the Nazarene holds 16 main beliefs that formulate our doctrine know as our Articles of Faith. Below is a summary of those 16 articles. A full list, including more scripture references, can be found at nazarene.org.

I. The Triune God
We believe in one God, the creator of all things. He makes Himself known to us as Father, Son, and Spirit. (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

II. Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ.  He has always and will always exist as God, but also became human through the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary.  We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, rose from the dead, and ultimately ascended to heaven where He is praying to the Father on our behalf.
(Matthew 1:20-25; 16:15-16; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:3, 32-34; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-5; 7:22-28; 9:24-28)

III. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit and that He is active in the world today convincing the world of sin, regenerating those who repent and believe, sanctifying believers, and guiding into all truth as it is in Jesus. (John 14:15-18, 16:7-15; Romans 8:1-27)

IV. The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Bible is the Word of God and tells us all we need to know about how to have eternal life and how to live with integrity. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2Peter 1:20-21)

V. Sin, Original and Personal
We believe that we are all sinners by both nature and act and need God’s forgiveness and cleansing. (Genesis 3; Romans 3:23, 5:12-14, 6:15-23)

VI. Atonement
We believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross and that by trusting in His death and resurrection we can be restored to a right relationship with God. (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:14-17)

VII. Prevenient Grace
We believe that God has given us the ability to choose between right and wrong. We believe that God enables us to turn from sin, but that He does not force us to do so. (Genesis 2:16-17; John 1:12; Galatians 6:7-8)

VIII. Repentance
We believe that when we turn from sin and trust in Christ, we are forgiven for the acts of sin. (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 32:5-6; 51:1-17; Isaiah 55:6-7; Acts 2:38)

IX. Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption
We believe that when we repent of our sins and trust in Christ and are forgiven of our sins. In that forgiveness we are made just like we had never sinned and we are made new and we become part of the family of God. (Acts 13:39; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21;Titus 3:4-7; Galatians 4:47)

X. Christian Holiness and Entire Sanctification
We believe that God’s Spirit desires to cleanse His people from the nature of sin enabling them to live consistently above reproach. Our strength for living with integrity and love comes from His presence in us. (Matthew 3:11, 22:37-40; 1 John 4:1-18)

XI. The Church
We believe that God uses the Church to fulfill His plans for the world until Christ returns. (Matthew 28:1-20; Acts 2:37-41)

XII. Baptism
We believe that baptism is a sacrament signifying acceptance of the benefits of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41)

XIII. The Lord’s Supper
We believe in the sacrament of Communion, also known as The Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. Communion is open to all those seeking or in a current relationship with God.  (Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 10:14-21; 11:23-32)

XIV. Divine Healing
We believe God can heal and we pray for healing. We also believe that God can work through medical science. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; James 5:13-16)

XV. Second Coming of Christ
We believe that Jesus is coming again. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

XVI. Resurrection, Judgment, and Destiny
We believe that everyone will face the judgment of God with its rewards and punishments. (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15)