These are the core beliefs upon which the Church of the Nazarene builds its doctrinal system and practice:
 

  • 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 man is born with a fallen nature and is, 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 judgement will take place.


Doctrine


The Church of the Nazarene is an orthodox Protestant body that adheres to the ecumenical creeds of the early Christian church.  The theology of  Methodist founder John Wesley (1703-91), who integrated the Protestant  understanding of grace with the Catholic themes of holiness and love, is foundational for Nazarene doctrine.  Nazarenes emphasise Christian conversion, sanctification or holiness, and the personal assurance of God’s grace – Wesleyan distinctives that point back to a deeper rootage in continental European pietism.  Discipleship is a prominent concern.  An emphasis on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit has generally prevented Nazarenes from slipping into the static Biblicism that sometimes affects other evangelical Protestants.  The Church of the Nazarene recognises two sacraments:  Christian baptism and Holy Communion.  Believers’ baptism and infant baptism are both allowed, though the former is most generally practised.