Trinity

The Church of the Nazarene affirms the classical doctrine of the Trinity in its Articles of Faith. The first Article declares that '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' and that 'the eternal, only Son of God became incarnate in Jesus Christ.' The Articles further affirm the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity.

The Nazarene Trinitarian confession stands in full continuity with the Nicene Creed and the historic ecumenical councils. This Trinitarian framework is non-negotiable for Nazarene faith and ministry. John Wesley himself operated firmly within orthodox Trinitarian Christianity, and the Nazarene tradition inherits this commitment without reservation.

The Trinity is foundational to Nazarene soteriology and pneumatology: it is the Holy Spirit — the third person of the Trinity — who sanctifies the believer in the work of entire sanctification. The Father, Son, and Spirit work together in the order of salvation, and the Nazarene doctrine of 'perfect love' is understood as participation in the love that exists eternally within the Godhead.