Church of the Nazarene
The Church of the Nazarene is a Wesleyan-Holiness denomination that emerged from the late 19th-century American Holiness Movement. It teaches John Wesley's doctrine of entire sanctification — a second definite work of grace subsequent to conversion in which the believer's heart is cleansed of the inclination toward sin and filled with perfect love for God and neighbor. The denomination affirms evangelical Protestant orthodoxy, including biblical inspiration, the Trinity, salvation by grace through faith, and the physical return of Christ.
Theology
Christology
Nature of Jesus
Affirms
Fully divine and human; eternal Son incarnate; crucified, risen, and returning
Virgin Birth
Affirms
Jesus conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary; historically affirmed
Pre-existence of Christ
Affirms
Christ pre-existed eternally as the divine Son before taking on human flesh
Soteriology
Salvation
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; entire sanctification as second work of grace
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Substitutionary atonement; Christ's death provides universal provision for all
Predestination
Nuanced
Arminian: prevenient grace enables genuine free will; no unconditional election
Original Sin
Affirms
Inherited sin nature makes all people prone to evil and estranged from God
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
Immortal soul; conscious existence after death; bodily resurrection awaited
Hell
Affirms
Eternal punishment for the unrepentant; conscious separation from God forever
Heaven
Affirms
Eternal life in God's presence; bodily resurrection and glorious final destiny
Second Coming
Affirms
Christ will return personally and bodily to judge and consummate history
Millennium
Varies
No official millennial position; premillennial and amillennial views both present
Ecclesiology
Church Authority
Nuanced
Representative governance; elected general superintendents; Scripture supreme
Clergy & Priesthood
Affirms
Ordained elders and deacons; women ordained since founding; priesthood of believers
Sacraments & Ordinances
Affirms
Two sacraments: believer's baptism (mode open) and the Lord's Supper as memorial
Scripture
Biblical Canon
Affirms
66-book Protestant canon; Scripture is the supreme rule of faith and practice
Biblical Inerrancy
Nuanced
Bible inerrantly inspired in all things essential to salvation; some internal debate
Extra-biblical Revelation
Nuanced
Scripture supreme; Spirit's ongoing guidance affirmed but not additional Scripture
Scripture Interpretation
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula central; Triune God professed in believer baptism
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Affirms divine address to Christ; supports full divinity and eternal rulership
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Affirms
Premillennial; literal thousand-year reign; Satan bound; righteous resurrected
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
God created heavens and earth; Trinitarian creation affirmed; literal beginning
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Affirms
Affirms Mark 16:9-20 as Scripture; includes important post-resurrection witness
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Affirms
Affirms as Scripture; exemplifies Christ's mercy and transformation of sinners
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Nuanced
May have disputed textual status; Trinitarian doctrine strongly affirmed from other texts
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Deuterocanonical books not canonical; 66-book Protestant canon affirmed
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Not canonical Scripture; historically significant early Christian writing
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
Affirms traditional reading; Word's divinity central to Christological doctrine
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Affirms
Affirms Isaiah passage as messianic prophecy and confirmation of virgin birth
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Peter's confession and faith; Christ's church built on confessing Jesus as Lord
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's sovereignty and human freedom both preserved; Arminian harmony attempted
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Justification by faith; sanctification bears fruit in works and holy living
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday as Lord's Day for worship and rest; no strict Sabbatarian requirement
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
No prohibition; medical care including blood transfusions is morally permissible
Military Service
Affirms
Military service permitted; historic peace church minority; just war predominant
Holidays
Affirms
Christmas and Easter celebrated; no formal liturgical calendar imposed