NOTE: Constitutional changes adopted by the 2017 General Assembly are in the process of ratification by the district assemblies at the time of printing. Where changes are being made, words in italics are new words and words in brackets [ ] are words being deleted.
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.] 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. All are to come in reverent appreciation of its significance, and by it show forth the Lord’s death until He comes. Those who have faith in Christ and love for the saints are invited by Christ to participate as often as possible.
(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)
NOTE: Constitutional changes adopted by the 2017 General Assembly are in the process of ratification by the district assemblies at the time of printing. Where changes are being made, words in italics are new words and words in brackets [ ] are words being deleted.
We believe in the [Bible] biblical doctrine of divine healing and urge our people 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)
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)
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.”
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.
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 of God is composed of all spiritually regenerate persons, whose names are written in heaven.
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.
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 upbuilding 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.
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:
