Church of the Nazarene Theology
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.
(Courtesy of Nazarene.org)