1. God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14.

 

2. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. God raised Him from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; I Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13.

 

3. The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world making men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

II Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

 

4. The Bible is God’s word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian’s beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture or error.

II Timothy 3:16, 1:13; II Peter 1:20, 21; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

 

5. People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates us from God and causes many problems in everyday life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1, 2; Romans 3:23

 

6. Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

 

7. Believers are to be sanctified wholly, set apart for God’s purposes in us. It is a work of our will and the power of the Holy Spirit. When we completely yield to the will of God, experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit of God, He gives us the power to live victoriously over sin on a daily basis.

John 17:17-19; Romans 15:16; Ephesians 5:26; II Timothy 2:21; Hebrews 13:12; I Peter 1:2; Isaiah 3:3; James 4:8; I John 1:7

 

8. People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; I Corinthians 2:7-9

 

9. We believe that Christian baptism, commanded by our Lord, is an act of communicating to the world we belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, with our full purpose being that of obedience in holiness and righteousness to God. Young children may be baptized, upon request of parents or guardians who shall give assurance of their understanding of Salvation. Baptism is preferred to be immersion, but may be administered by sprinkling or pouring if circumstances prevent immersion.

Matthew 3:1-7, 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41, 8:35-39, 10:44-48, 16:29-34, 19:1-6; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2:12; I Peter 3:18-22

 

10. The Last Supper was instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is essentially a New Testament act, declaring His sacrificial death. It is distinctively for those who have faith in Christ and love for fellow Christians.

Exodus 12:1-14; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; John 6:28-58; I Corinthians 10:14-21, 11:23-32

 

 

For more information about the Church of the Nazarene visit http://nazarene.org