Our Beliefs

These are the beliefs Nazarenes hold to be true:

We believe in one God-the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.

We believe that humans are born with a fallen nature, and are, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.

We believe that the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.

We believe 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.

We believe that believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe that the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctification of believers.

We believe that our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.

Suggested Reading

The following resources about the Church of the Nazarene are available for purchase from the Nazarene Publishing House. Thousands of other resources are available through the NPH website, www.nph.com, or toll-free within the United States at 800-877-0700.

• What is the Church of the Nazarene?
• Manual of the Church of the Nazarene (for purchase)
• Manual of the Church of the Nazarene (online version)
• Articles of Faith: What Nazarenes Believe and Why
• What is a Nazarene? Understanding our Place in the Religious Community

theology

The Church of the Nazarene is the largest denomination in the classical Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. The doctrine that distinguishes the Church of the Nazarene and other Wesleyan denominations from most other Christian denominations is that of entire sanctification. Nazarenes believe that God calls Christians to a life of 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.

For more information, see:

• Here We Stand
• A Century of Holiness Theology
• Discovering the Old Testament
• Discovering the Bible
• Discovering the New Testament
• Discovering our Christian Faith
• Reading the Bible in Wesleyan Ways
• Philosophy of Religion
• Holiness in the Gospels
• With Cords of Love
• Dismantling the Myths
• The Story of God
• Grace, Faith & Holiness
• A Wesleyan-Holiness Theology