Our Belief Statement
ARTICLES OF FAITH
We believe that the rights and privileges of church membership should be for those who are truly Christian. Our official statement of belief is premised on a vital personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In brief, we believe:
Article 1. The Triune God. We believe in one eternally existent God – triune in essential being – revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (John 1:1-2; 4:24; 5:18; 10:30).
Article 2. Jesus Christ. We believe Jesus Christ is the Second Person of the Triune Godhead; that He was eternally one with the Father; and that He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary, so that two whole and perfect natures, that Godhead and manhood, are thus united in one Person fully God and fully man, the God-man.
We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, that He truly arose from the dead, and that He ascended into heaven and is there engaged in intercession for us. (Matthew 28:5-9; Luke 24:4-7)
Article 3. The Holy Spirit. We believe the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Triune Godhead. He is actively convincing the world of sin, regenerating those who repent and believe, sanctifying believers, and guiding into all truth (Romans 8:1-27; Galatians 3:1-14; 4:6).
Article 4. The Holy Scriptures. We believe the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, inerrantly reveal the will of God and contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living. (II Timothy 3:15-17)
Article 5. Sin, Original and Personal. 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 acts of personal sin.
We believe that original sin, or depravity, is that corruption of the nature by which everyone is deprived of original righteousness, is averse to God, is without spiritual life, and inclined to evil continually. We further believe that original sin continues to exist with the new life of the regenerate, until cleansed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:12-14; 7:1-8:9)
We believe that original sin differs from actual sin in that it constitutes an inherited propensity to actual sin.
We believe that actual or personal sin is a voluntary violation of a known law of God by a morally responsible person. We believe that personal sin is primarily a violation of the law of love; and that in relation to Christ sin may be defined as unbelief. (Joshua 24:15; I Kings 20:40; John 7:17).
Article 6. Atonement. We believe that Jesus Christ by His death on the Cross made a full atonement for all human sin, and that this Atonement is the only ground of salvation. (John 1:29; 3:16; I Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 5:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-9)
Article 7. Free Agency. We believe that the human race’s creation in Godlikeness included the ability to choose between right and wrong, and that he is thus made morally responsible. Though morally depraved through the fall of Adam, the grace of God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed on all people, enabling all who will to turn from sin to righteousness.
We believe that all persons, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire sanctification, may fall from grace and, unless he repent of his sin, be eternally lost. (Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-26; Hebrews 10:26-27; I John 1:9; 2:1, 24-25)
Article 8. Repentance. Repentance is a sincere and thorough change of mind in regard to sin, involving a sense of personal guilt and a voluntary turning away from sin. (Isaiah 55:6-7; Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:14-16; II Corinthians 7:8-11; II Peter 3:9)
Article 9. Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption. Justification is the judicial act of God granting pardon from the penalty of sins committed to all who believe on Jesus Christ and receive Him as Savior and Lord.
Regeneration is the work of God whereby the repentant believer is given a distinctively spiritual life, capable of faith, love, and obedience.
Adoption is the act of God by which the justified and regenerated believer is constituted a child of God.
Justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneously obtained by faith, preceded by repentance.
Article 10. Sanctification. Sanctification is the work of God, subsequent to regeneration, making the believer pure in heart and totally committed to God. The result of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, sanctification is both the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for service. This work is both instantaneous and progressive. There is a marked difference between a pure heart and a mature character. A pure heart is a result of the crisis act of sanctification. A mature character is a result of the process of sanctification. (Deuteronomy 30:6; Luke 1:74-75; Acts 15:8-9; I Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 4:13, 24; James 4:8)
This experience is known by various terms, such as, “the baptism of the Holy Spirit,” “Christian holiness,” and “the deeper walk.” It is the will of God for every believer (I Thessalonians 4:3, 7).
Article 11. The Church. 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 exists both as local congregations and as a universal body. The Church Universal is composed of all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Local churches are composed of those persons who, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, have voluntarily associated themselves together for holy fellowship and ministries. The Church of the Nazarene is composed of those who have associated themselves together according to the doctrines and polity of said church, and who seek Christian fellowship, the conversion of sinners, the sanctification of believers, and growth in holiness. (Matthew 16:13-19, 24; 18:15-20; 28:19-20; John 17:14-26; 20:21-23; Romans 10:9-15; 11:13-32; 12:1-8; I Corinthians 11:17-33; 14:26-40; Ephesians 4:1-17; Philippians 2:1-16; I Thessalonians 4:1-12; I Peter 2:4-12, 21)
Articles 12-13. Sacraments. We believe that God ordained two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is an outward symbol signifying the inward grace of accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. (Matthew 3:1-7; 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41; 8:35-39; 10:44-48; 16:29-34; 19:1-6)
The Lord’s Supper is received in remembrance of Christ’s death for our sins. It is in remembrance of God’s love and grace toward us, and the love we must share with one another (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24)
Article 14. Divine Healing. We believe in the Bible doctrine of divine healing and urge our people to offer the prayer of faith for those who are sick. Medical or other health agencies should not be refused. (Matthew 9:18-35; James 5:13-16)
Article 15. Second Coming of Christ. We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ to receive His followers into heaven and eternal life. The time of His return is unknown, but may be at any moment. (John 14:1-3; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; James 5:7-8; Revelation 22:12, 20)
Article 16. Resurrection, Judgment, and Destiny. We believe that the just and the unjust shall be resurrected; the just to eternal life and the unjust to eternal damnation. In the future judgement everyone shall appear before God to be judged according to his/her deeds in this life. Everlasting life is assured to all who savingly believe in, and obediently follow, Jesus Christ; and the unrepentant shall be doomed to eternal punishment. (Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 2:1-16; 14:7-12;I Corinthians 15:12-58; II Corinthians 5:10; II Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelations 20:11-15; 22:1-15)