These are the beliefs Nazarenes hold to be true:

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 judgment will take place.

The Church of the Nazarene follows in the historic tradition of the orthodox Christian faith. We believe the Bible forms a story of God’s self-revelation particularly in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ. Christ atoned for our sins on the cross so He could set us free from sin (Romans 3:25).

We believe in God’s prevenient grace that goes before and draws us to God. This grace stirs within us a hunger to seek something more in our lives and empowers us to respond when the tender voice of the Spirit draws us to God’s heart. God draws us then lovingly awaits our response (John 6:44; John 12:32).

We believe in God’s justifying grace that no longer counts our sins against us when we ask for forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:19). God reconciles, pardons, and restores our relationship with God’s self as only a loving parent can do. Christ’s death on the cross makes our justification possible (Romans 5:8).

We believe in sanctifying grace that transforms us by the power of His Holy Spirit working within us from the moment of our conversion until we go to heaven. Continued growth in our relationship with God’s Spirit takes us to deeper levels of commitment. We speak often of Christian perfection or entire sanctification as a second instantaneous work of grace when God purges a consecrated heart from self-centered control and pride and fills it with divine love to completely control heart and life. Self-seeking is replaced with holy desire to fulfill the two great commands of Jesus to love God and others (Matthew 22:34-40). Transformation and growth in grace continues to occur over a lifetime as we submit our wills to His will.

Ultimately, we seek to live in close relationship with Jesus Christ and make Christlike disciples as we model the Christian message we say and do as we live in his transforming grace.

For more information on the history of the Church of the Nazarene, visit Nazarene History

Nazarenes are a compassionate people. We believe in serving others. This is expressed locally through the services of members to their communities. Contributions from Nazarenes make possible the administration of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM). Following the example of Jesus, NCM seeks to educate, clothe, shelter, feed, heal, and ultimately empower those who suffer under oppression, injustice, violence, poverty, hunger, and disease. Through 183 compassionate ministry centers, 101 child development centers, about 100 projects, and many volunteer efforts, Nazarenes are instrumental in assisting people in every part of the globe who have been affected by war, famine, hurricane, flood, and other natural and manmade disasters.

Nazarenes are passionate about making a difference in the world by taking the Good News of Jesus Christ to people everywhere. Today there are approximately 700 missionaries and volunteers serving around the world. Each week, Nazarenes worship in more than 212 languages or tribal languages, with literature produced in 90 of these. The church operates 33 medical clinics and hospitals worldwide. This missionary enterprise is made possible by the contributions of the global Nazarene family. Nazarenes also engage in starting new churches and congregations by praying, giving, and supporting worldwide volunteers and contracted missionaries.