Statement of Beliefs

The Church of the Nazarene has 16 articles of Faith which are abbreviated below:

1.  We believe in one God, the creator of all things.  He makes Himself known to us as Father, Son, and Spirit.  (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

2.  We believe in Jesus Christ, who is both God and man.  He became like us to show us what God is like and to teach us how we might have eternal life.  (Matthew 1:20-25, 16:15-16; John 1:1-18)

3.  We believe in the Holy Spirit and that He is active in the world today.  (John 14:15-18, 16:7-15; Romans 8:1-17)

4.  We believe the Bible is the Word of God and tells us all we need to know about how to have eternal life and how to live with integrity.  (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

5.  We believe that we are all sinners both by nature and act and need God's forgiveness and cleansing.  (Genesis 3; Romans 3:23, 5:12-14, 6:15-23)

6.  We believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross and that by trusting His death and resurrection we can be restored to a right relationship with God.  (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:14-17)

7.  We believe that God enables us to turn from sin, but that He does not force us to do so.  (Genesis 2:16-17; John 1:12; Galatians 6:7-8)

8.  We believe that each person must repent, turn away from his sins, and trust Christ to accept him.  (Isaiah 55:6-7; Acts 17:30-31)

9.  We believe that when we turn from sin and trust in Christ, we are forgiven for the acts of sin and become part of the family of God.  (Acts 13:39; Titus 3:4-7; Galatians 4:4-7)

10.  We believe that God's spirit desires to cleanse his people from the nature of sin enabling them to live consistently above reproach.  Our strength for living with integrity and love comes from his presence in us.  (Matthew 3:11, 22:37-40; 1 John 4:17-18)

11.  We believe that God uses the Church to fulfill His plans for the world until Christ returns.  (1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 5:25-27)

12.  We believe in baptism and urge people to be baptized to publicly affirm their faith.  (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41)

13.  We believe in the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion).  (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)

14.  We believe God can heal and we pray for healing.  We also believe that God can work through medical science.  (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; James 5:13-16)

15.  We believe that Jesus is coming again.  (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

16.  We believe that everyone will face the judgment of God with its rewards and punishments.  (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-14)

A complete explanation of the Articles of Faith is available to anyone.  Talk to or email Pastor Phil Rhoades or any of the other church staff.