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ARTICLES OF FAITH
THE CHURCH
AGREED STATEMENT OF BELIEF
PREAMBLE
In order that we may preserve our God-given heritage, the faith once delivered
to the saints, especially the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification
as a second work of grace, and also that we may cooperate effectually with other
branches of the Church of Jesus Christ in advancing God's kingdom, we, the
ministers and lay members of the Church of the Nazarene, in accordance with the
principles of constitutional legislation established among us, do hereby ordain,
adopt, and set forth as the fundamental law or Constitution of the Church of the
Nazarene the Articles of Faith, the General Rules, and the Articles of
Organization and Government here following, to wit:
ARTICLES OF FAITH
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; 40:18-31;
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)1
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 eradicated 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 meritorious 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; 1 John 2:1-2)
VII. Free Agency
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 3:12-14;
Ezekiel 18:30- 32; 33:14-16; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 3:1-14; 13:1-5; 18:9-14; 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; 3:12-15; 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; 18:15-20;
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; 19:1-6;
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 Healing2
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. [Providential
means and agencies when deemed necessary should not be refused.] 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 up building 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.
© 2001 Church of the Nazarene. All rights reserved.
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