Church of the Nazarene
The Manual
FOREWORD
The General Assembly is the supreme doctrine-formulating and
lawmaking body of the Church of the Nazarene. This Manual
contains the decisions and judgments of ministerial and lay
delegates of the Twenty-first General Assembly, which met in
Anaheim, Calif, June 23-38*, 1985, and is therefore authoritative
as a guide for action, Because it is the official statement of the faith
and practice of the church and is consistent with the teachings of
the Scriptures, we expect our people every where to accept the
tenets of doctrine and the guides and helps to holy living contained
in it. To fail to do so, after formally taking the membership vows
of the Church of the Nazarene injures the witness of the church,
violates her conscience, and dissipates the fellowship of the people
called Nazarenes.
With the Bible as our supreme Guide, illuminated by the Holy
Spirit, and the Manual as our official agreed-upon statement of
faith, practice, and polity, we look forward to the new
quadrennium with joy and unswerving faith in Jesus Christ.
The Board of General Superintendents
* Probibal "Typo"
Theological Tradition
The Church of the Nazarene is the largest denomination in the
Wesleyan-Arminian (Holiness) theological tradition.
ARTICLES OF FAITH:
I. THE TRIUNE GOD
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; that He, as God, is Triune in
essential being, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ge 1:1-
2:1; Lev 19:2; De 6:4-5; Isa 5:16; 6:1-7; 40:18-31; Mt 3:16,17;
28:19,20; Joh 14:6-27; 1Co 8:6; 2Co 13:14; Gal 4:4-6; Eph 2:13-
18
II. JESUS CHRIST
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Triune
Godhead; that He was eternally one with the Father; that He
became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin
Mary, so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say the
Godhood and manhood, are thus united in one Person very God
and very man, the God-man. We believe that Jesus Christ died for
our sins, and that He truly arose from the dead and took again His
body, together with all things appertaining to the perfection fo
man's nature, wherewith He ascended into heaven and is there
engaged in intercession for us. Mt 1:20-25; Lu 1:26-35; Joh 1:1-
18; Ac 2:22-36; Ro 8:3; 8:32-34; Gal 4:4-5; Php 2:5-11; Col 1:12-
22; 1Ti 6:14-16; Heb 1:1-5; 7:22-28; 1Jo 1:1-3; 4:2,3,15
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune
Godhead, that He is ever present and efficiently active in and with
the Church of Christ, convincing the world of sin, regenerating
those who repent and believe, sanctifying believers, and guiding
into all truth as it is in Jesus. Joh 7:39; 14:15-18,26; 16:7-15; Ac
2:33; 15:8,9; Ro 8:1-27; Gal 3:1-14; 4:6; Eph 3:14-21; 1Th 4:7,8;
2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2; 1Jo 3:24; 4:13
IV. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by
which we understand the 66 books of the Old and New
Testaments, given by divine inspiration, inerrantly revealing the
will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation,
so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an
article of faith. Lu 24:44-47; Joh 10:35; 1Co 15:3,4; 2Ti 3:15-17;
1Pe 1:10-12; 2Pe 1:20,21
V. SIN, ORIGINAL AND PERSONAL
We believe that sin came into the world through the disobedience
of our first parents, and death by sin. We believe that sin is of two
kinds: original sin or depravity, and actual or personal sin.
• 5.1. We believe that original sin, or depravity, is that
corruption of the nature of all the offspring of Adam by
reason of which everyone is very far gone from original
righteousness or the pure state of our first parents at the time
of their creation, is averse to God, is without spiritual life,
and inclined to evil, and that continually. We further believe
that original sin continues to exist with the new life of the
regenerate, until eradicated by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
• 5.2. We believe that original sin differs from actual sin in that
it constitutes an inherited propensity to actual sin for which
no one is accountable until its divinely provided remedy is
neglected or rejected.
• 5.3. We believe that actual or personal sin is a voluntary
violation of a known law of God by a morally responsible
person. It is therefore not to be confused with involuntary and
inescapable shortcomings, infirmities, faults, mistakes,
failures, or other deviations from a standard of perfect
conduct which are the residual effects of the Fall. However,
such innocent effects do not include attitudes or responses
contrary to the spirit of Christ, which may properly be
called sins of the spirit. We believe that personal sin is
primarily and essentially a violation of the law of love; and
that in relation to Christ sin may be defined as unbelief.
Original sin: Ge 3:1-24; 6:5; Job 15:14; Ps 51:5; Jer 17:9,10;
Mar 7:21-23; Ro 1:18-25; 5:12-14; 7:1-8:9; 1Co 3:1-4; Gal
5:16-25; 1Jo 1:7,8 Personal Sin--cf. Mt 22:36-40; 1Jo 3:4 Joh
8:34-36; 16:8,9; Ro 3:23; 6:15-23; 8:18-24; 14:23; 1Jo 1:9-
2:4; 3:7-10
VI. ATONEMENT
We believe that Jesus Christ, by His sufferings by the shedding of
His own blood, and by His meritorious death on the Cross, made a
full atonement for all human sin, and that this Atonement is the
only ground of salvation, and that it is sufficient for every
individual of Adam's race. The Atonement is graciously
efficacious for the salvation of the irresponsible and for the
children in innocency, but is efficacious for the salvation of those
who reach the age of responsibility only when they repent and
believe. Isa 53:5,6,11; Mr 10:45; Lu 24:46-48; Joh 1:29; 3:14-17;
Ac 4:10-12; Ro 3:21-26; 4:17-25; 5:6-21; 1Co 6:20; 2Co 5:14-21;
Gal 1:3,4; 3:13,14; Col 1:19-23; 1Ti 2:3-6; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 2:9;
9:11-14; 13:12; 1Pe 1:18-21; 2:19-25; 1Jo 2:1,2
VII. FREE AGENCY
We believe that man's creation in Godlikeness included [the]
ability to choose between right and wrong, and that thus he was
made morally responsible; that through the fall of Adam he
became depraved so that he cannot now turn and prepare himself
by his own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon
God. But we also believe that the grace of God through Jesus
Christ is freely bestowed upon all men, enabling all who [are]
will[ing] to turn from sin to righteousness, believe on Jesus Christ
for pardon and cleansing from sin, and follow good works pleasing
and acceptable in His sight. We believe that man, though in the
possession of the experience of regeneration and entire
sanctification, may fall from grace and apostatize and, unless he
repent of his sin, be hopelessly and eternally lost. Godlikeness and
moral responsibility: Ge 1:26,27; 2:16,17; De 28:1,2; 30:19; Jos
24:15; Ps 8:3-5; Isa 1:8-10; Jer 31:29,30; Eze 18:1-4; Mic 6:8; Ro
1:19,20; 2:1-16; 14:7-12; Gal 6:7,8 Natural inability: Job 14:4;
15:14; Ps 14:1-4; 51:5; Joh 3:6 Ro 3:10-12; 5:12-14,20; 7:14-25
Free grace and works of faith: Eze 18:25,26; Joh 1:12,13; 3:6; Ac
5:31; Ro 5:6-8,18; 6:15-16,23; 10:6-8; 11:22; 1Co 2:9-14; 10:1-12;
2Co 5:18,19; Gal 5:6; Eph 2:8-10; Php 2:12,13; Col 1:21-23; 2Ti
4:10; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 2:1-3; 3:12-15; 6:4-6; 10:26-31; Jas 2:18-
22; 2Pe 1:10,11; 2:20-22
VIII. REPENTANCE
We believe that repentance, which is a sincere and thorough
change of the mind in regard to sin, involving a sense of personal
guilt and a voluntary turning away from sin, is demanded of all
who have by act or purpose become sinners against God. The
Spirit of God gives to all who will repent the gracious help of
penitence of heart and hope of mercy, that they may believe unto
pardon and spiritual life. 2Ch 7:14; Ps 32:5,6; 51:1-17; Isa 55:6,7;
Jer 3:12-14; Eze 18:30-32; 33:14-16; Mr 1:14,15; Lu 3:1-14; Lu
13:1-5; 18:9-14; Ac 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 17:30,31; 26:16-18; Ro 2:4;
2Co 7:8-11; 1Th 1:9; 2Pe 3:9
IX. JUSTIFICATION, REGENERATION, AND
ADOPTION
We believe that justification is the gracious and judicial act of God
by which He grants full pardon of all guilt and complete release
from the penalty of sins committed, and acceptance as righteous, to
all who believe on Jesus Christ and receive Him as Lord and
Savior. 10. We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that
gracious work of God whereby the moral nature of the repentant
believer is spiritually quickened and given a distinctively spiritual
life, capable of faith, love, and obedience. 11. We believe that
adoption is that gracious act of God by which the justified and
regenerated believer is constituted a son of God. 12. We believe
that justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous in
the experience of seekers after God and are obtained upon the
condition of faith, preceded by repentance; and to this work and
state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness. Lu 18:14; Joh 1:12,13;
3:3-8; 5:24; Ac 13:39; Ro 1:17; 3:21-26,28; Ro 4:5-9; 4:17-25;
5:1; 5:16-19; 6:4; 7:6; 8:1; 8:15-17; 1Co 1:30; 6:11; 2Co 5:17-21;
Gal 2:16-21; 3:1-14; 3:26; 4:4-7; Eph 1:6,7; 2:1; 2:4,5; Php 3:3-9;
Col 2:13; Tit 3:4-7; 1Pe 1:23; 1Jo 1:9; 3:1,2,9; 4:7; 5:1; 5:9-5:13;
5:18
X. ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION
We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent
to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin,
or depravity, and brought into a state of entire devotement to God,
and the holy obedience of love made perfect. It is wrought by the
baptism with the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one experience
the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling
presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and
service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is
wrought instantaneously by faith, preceded by entire consecration;
and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.
This experience is also known by various terms representing its
different phases, such as "Christian perfection," "perfect love,"
"heart purity," "the baptism with the Holy Spirit," "the fullness of
the blessing," and Christian holiness." 14. We believe that there is
a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character.
The former is obtained in an instant, the result of entire
sanctification; the latter is the result of growth in grace. We believe
that the grace of entire sanctification includes the impulse to grow
in grace. However, this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and
careful attention given to the requisites and processes of spiritual
development and improvement in Christlikeness of character and
personality. Without such purposeful endeavor one's witness may
be impaired and the grace itself frustrated and ultimately lost. Jer
31:31-34; Eze 36:25-27; Mal 3:2,3; Mt 3:11,12; Lu 3:16,17; Joh
7:37-39; 14:15-23; 17:6-20; Ac 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8,9; Ro 6:11-13;
6:19; 8:1-4; 8:8-14; 12:1,2; 2Co 6:14-7:1; Gal 2:20; 5:16-25; Eph
3:14-21; 5:17,18; 5:25-27; Php 3:10-15; Col 3:1-17; 1Th 5:23,24;
Heb 4:9-11; 10:10-17; 12:1,2; 13:12; 1Jo 1:7,9 "Christian
perfection," "perfect love" De 30:6; Mt 5:43-48; 22:37-40; Ro
12:9-21; 13:8-10; 1Co 13:1-13; Php 3:10-15; Heb 6:1; 1Jo 4:17,18
"Heart purity" Mt 5:8; Ac 15:8,9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:3 "Baptism with
the Holy Spirit" Jer 31:31-34; Eze 36:25-27; Mal 3:2,3; Mt
3:11,12; Lu 3:16,17; Ac 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8,9 "Fullness of the
blessing" Ro 15:29 "Christian holiness" Mt 5:1-7:29; Joh 15:1-11;
Ro 12:1-15:3; 2Co 7:1; Eph 4:17-5:20; Php 1:9-11; 3:12-15; Col
2:20-3:17; 1Th 3:13; 4:7,8; 5:23; 2Ti 2:19-22; Heb 10:19-25;
12:14; 13:20,21; 1Pe 1:15,16; 2Pe 1:1-11; 3:18; Jude 1:20,21
XI. THE CHURCH
We believe in the Church, the community that confesses Jesus
Christ as Lord, the covenant people of God made new in Christ,
the Body of Christ called together by the Holy Spirit through the
Word. God calls the Church to express its life in the unity and
fellowship of the Spirit; in worship through the preaching of the
Word, observance of the sacraments, and ministry in His name; by
obedience to Christ and mutual accountability. The mission of the
Church in the world is to continue the redemptive work of Christ in
the power of the Spirit through holy living, evangelism,
discipleship, and service. The Church is a historical reality, which
organizes itself in culturally conditioned forms, exists both as local
congregations and as a universal body; sets apart persons called of
God for specific ministries. God calls the Church to live under His
rule in anticipation of the consummation at the comming of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Ex 19:3; Jer 31:33; Mt 8:11; 10:7; 16:13-19,24;
18:15-20; 28:19,20; Joh 17:14-26; 20:21-23; Ac 1:7,8; 2:32-47;
6:1,2; 13:1; 14:23; Ro 2:28,29; 4:16; 10:9-15; 11:13-32; 12:1-8;
15:1-3; 1Co 5:11-6:1; Gal 5:6; 5:13,14; 6:1-5; 6:15; Eph 4:1-17;
5:25-27; Php 2:1-16; 1Th 4:1-12; 1Ti 4:13; Heb 10:19-25; 1Pe
1:1,2,13; 2:4-12,21; 4:1,2; 4:10,11; 1Jo 4:17; Jude 1:24; Re 5:9,10
XII. BAPTISM
We believe that Christian baptism, commanded by our Lord, is a
sacrament signifying acceptance of the benefits of the atonement
of Jesus Christ, to be administered to believers and declarative of
their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and full purpose of
obedience in holiness and righteousness. Baptism being a symbol
of the new covenant, young children may be baptized, upon
request of parents or guardians who shall give assurance for them
of necessary Christian training. Baptism may be administered by
sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the
applicant. Mt 3:1-7; 28:16-20; Ac 2:37-41; 8:35-39; 10:44-48;
16:29-34; Ac 19:1-6; Ro 6:3,4; Gal 3:26-28; Col 2:12; 1Pe 3:18-22
XIII. THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that the Memorial and Communion Supper instituted
by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is essentially a New
Testament sacrament, declarative of His sacrificial death, through
the merits of which believers have life and salvation and promise
of all spiritual blessings in Christ. It is distinctively for those who
are prepared for reverent appreciation of its significance, and by it
they show forth the Lord's death till He come again. It being the
Communion feast, only those who have faith in Christ and love for
the saints should be called to participate therein. Ex 12:1-14; Mt
26:26-29; Mr 14:22-25; Lu 22:17-20; Joh 6:28-58; 1Co 10:14-21;
11:23-32
XIV. DIVINE HEALING
We believe in the Bible doctrine of divine healing and urge our
people to seek to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the
sick. Providential means and agencies when deemed necessary
should not be refused. 2Ki 5:1-19; Ps 103:1-5; Mt 4:23,24; 9:18-
35; Joh 4:46-54; Ac 5:12-16; 9:32-42; 14:8-15; 1Co 12:4-11; 2Co
12:7-10; Jas 5:13-16
XV. SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again; that we
who are alive at His coming shall not precede them that are asleep
in Christ Jesus; but that, if we are abiding in Him, we shall be
caught up with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air, so that
we shall ever be with the Lord. Mt 25:31-46; Joh 14:1,2,3; Ac 1:9-
11; Php 3:20,21; 1Th 4:13-18; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 9:26-28; 2Pe 3:3-
15; Re 1:7,8; 22:7-20
XVI. RESURRECTION, JUDGEMENT, AND
DESTINY
We believe in the resurrection of the dead, that the bodies
both of the just and of the unjust shall be raised to life and
united with their spirits--"they that have done good, unto
the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto
the resurrection of damnation." 21. We believe in future
judgment in which every man shall appear before God to be
judged according to his deeds in this life. 22. We believe
that glorious and everlasting life is assured to all who
savingly believe in, and obediently follow, Jesus Christ our
Lord; and that the finally impenitent shall suffer eternally
in hell. Ge 18:25; 1Sa 2:10; Ps 50:6; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2,3;
Mt 25:31-46; Mr 9:43-48; Lu 16:19-31; 20:27-38; Joh
3:16-18; 5:25-29; Joh 11:21-27; Ac 17:30,31; Ro 2:1-16;
14:7-12; 1Co 15:12-58; 2Co 5:10; 2Th 1:5-10; Re 20:11-
15; 22:1-15
CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE--GENERAL RULES
To be identified with the visible Church is the blessed privilege
and sacred duty of all who are saved from their sins and are
seeking completeness in Christ Jesus. It is required of all who
desire to unite with the Church of the Nazarene, and thus to walk
in fellowship with us, that they shall show evidence of salvation
from their sins by a godly walk and vital piety; and that they shall
be, or earnestly desire to be, cleansed from all indwelling sin. They
shall evidence their commitment to God--
FIRST. By doing that which is enjoined in the Word of God, which
is our rule of both faith and practice, including . . . (1) Loving God
with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and one's neighbor as
oneself Ex 20:3-6; Le 19:17,18; De 5:7-10; 6:4,5; Mr 12:28-31; Ro
13:8-10 (2) Pressing upon the attention of the unsaved the claims
of the gospel, inviting them to the house of the Lord, and trying to
compass their salvation Mt 28:19,20; Ac 1:8; Ro 1:14-16; 2Co
5:18-20 (3) Being courteous to all men. Eph 4:32; Tit 3:2; 1Pe
2:17; 1Jo 3:18 (4) Being helpful to those who are also of the faith,
in love forbearing one another Ro 12:13; Ga 6:2,10; Col 3:12-14
(5) Seeking to do good to the bodies and souls of men; feeding the
hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and
ministering to the needy, as opportunity and ability are given Mt
25:35,36; 2Co 9:8-10; Ga 2:10; Jas 2:15,16; 1Jo 3:17,18 (6)
Contributing to the support of the ministry and the church and its
work in tithes and offerings Mal 3:10; Lu 6:38; 1Co 9:14; 16:2;
2Co 9:6-10; Php 4:15-19 (7) Attending faithfully all the ordinances
of God, and the means of grace, including the public worship of
God, Heb 10:25 the ministry of the Word, Ac 2:42 the sacrament
of the Lord's Supper; 1Co 11:23-30 searching the Scriptures and
meditating thereon; Ac 17:11; 2Ti 2:15; 3:14-16 family and private
devotions. De 6:6,7; Mt 6:6
SECOND. By avoiding evil of every kind, including: (1) Taking
the name of God in vain Ex 20:7; Lev 19:12; Jas 5:12 (2)
Profaning of the Lord's Day by participation in unnecessary secular
activities, thereby indulging in practices that deny its sanctity. Ex
20:8-11; Isa 58:13,14; Mr 2:27,28; Ac 20:7; Re 1:10 (3) Sexual
immorality, such as premarital or extramarital relations, perversion
in any form, or looseness and impropriety of conduct. Ex 20:14;
Mt 5:27-32; 1Co 6:9-11; Ga 5:19; 1Th 4:3-7 (4) Habits or practices
known to be destructive of physical and mental well-being.
Christians are to regard themselves as temples of the Holy Spirit.
Pr 20:1; 23:1,2,3; 1Co 6:17-20; 2Co 7:1; Eph 5:18 (5) Quarreling,
returning evil for evil, gossiping, slandering, spreading surmises
injurious to the good names of others 2Co 12:20; Ga 5:15; Eph
4:30-32; Jas 3:5-18; 1Pe 3:9,10 (6) Dishonesty, taking advantage
in buying and selling, bearing false witness, and like works of
darkness Lev 19:10,11; Ro 12:17; 1Co 6:7-10 (7) The indulging of
pride in dress or behavior. Our people are to dress with the
Christian simplicity and modesty that become holiness. Pr 29:23;
1Ti 2:8-10; Jas 4:6; 1Pe 3:3,4; 1Jo 2:15-17 (8) Music, literature,
and entertainments that dishonor God 1Co 10:31; 2Co 6:14-17; Jas
4:4
THIRD. By abiding in hearty fellowship with the church, not
inveighing against but wholly committed to its doctrines and
usages and actively involved in its continuing witness and
outreach. Eph 2:18-22; 4:1-3; 4:11-16; Php 2:1-8; 1Pe 2:9,10
