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; 40:1831;
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)
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 the heart is fully cleansed 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 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; 1John 2:1-2)
VII. Prevenient Grace
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
3:1214; Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:14-16; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 3:1-14; 13:1-5;
18:914; 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; 3:1215;
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; 18:1520;
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; 19:16;
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 Healing
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. 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)
—Nazarene Manual 2005-2009