What We Believe

The mission of the Church of the Nazarene is to make Christlike disciples in the nations.

The foundational doctrines of the Church of the Nazarene are collectively called "the Articles of Faith." These 16 statements are the basis of our theological identity. The first three articles describe the God we believe in. Article Four acts as a bridge to Articles 5-10, which show the journey of humanity from sin to a perfect relationship with God. Articles 11-14 describe the church and expressions of its faith. The final two articles speak of our beliefs about the future: Christ's return and our final destiny.

We believe in one God, the Creator of all things, who is revealed to us as Triune in nature — Father, Son, and Spirit.
[Genesis 1; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 3:16-17]

We believe in Jesus Christ, who is fully God and full man at the same time, who became like us to bring about our salvation.
[John 1:1-18; Romans 8:31-34]

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is active in the world through conviction, regeneration, sanctification, and revelation of the truth in Christ.
[Acts 15:8-9; Ephesians 3:14-21, 4:2-3]

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, giving us all we need to know about salvation.
[Luke 24:45-47]

We believe that we are all sinners by both nature and act, and we are in need of God's forgiveness and cleansing.
[Genesis 3, 6:5; Matthew 22:36-40; 1 John 3:4]

We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and that, by trusting in him, we can be restored to a right relation to God.
[2 Corinthians 5:14-21; 1 John 2:1-2]

We 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 in Jesus Christ for pardon and cleaning from sin, and follow good works pleasing and acceptable in God's sight.
[Psalm 8:3-5; Job 14:4; Romans 5:6-8]

We believe that each person must repent, turn away from sin, and trust Christ for salvation.
[Isaiah 55:6-7]

We believe that when we turn from sin and trust in Christ, the old record of sin is wiped clean and we are born anew, thus becoming part of the family of God.
[Philippians 3:8-11]

We believe that after being born anew, we need the fullness of God's Spirit in our hearts. When we make a complete commitment to God, God cleanses our hearts and we are filled with God's perfect love, which gives us the power to live victoriously.

We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, carrying on Christ's mission through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[Acts 2:42-47]

We believe in baptism as a sacrament that signifies acceptance of the atonement and incorporation into the Body of Christ. It is a means of grace proclaiming faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. We urge people to be baptized as an indicator of their full purpose and obedience in holiness and righteousness.
[Acts 10:47-48]

We believe that the Communion Supper instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a sacrament proclaiming His life, sufferings, sacrificial death, resurrection, and the hope of His coming again. The Lord's Supper is a means of grace in which Christ is present by the Spirit. All are invited to participate by faith in Christ and be renewed in life, salvation, and in unity as the Church. Those who have faith in Christ are invited by Christ to participate as often as possible.
[1 Corinthians 11:23-32]

We believe that God can heal. We pray for healing. We also believe that God can work through medical science.
[Psalm 103:1-5; James 5:14-15]

We believe that at the end of the age the Lord Jesus Christ will be revealed as Lord of all. He will come again in glory and power to establish fully the kingdom of God that He proclaimed and initiated in His life and ministry. As the Triune God first created heaven and earth, God will renew them in the new creation where He will dwell eternally with His redeemed people.
[Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 1:7-8]

We believe in the resurrection of the dead, that the bodies both of the just and unjust shall be raised to life and united with their spirits. We believe that everyone will face the judgment of God with its rewards and punishments.