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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Christian?
A Christian is a follower of the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. (Acts 11:26). Just as a Muslim accepts and promotes the teachings of Mohammed, or a Buddhist accepts and promotes the teachings of Buddha, a Christian consciously decides to accept and promote the teachings of Jesus (Acts 26:28).

If I've done something really wrong, will God forgive me?
Yes! The good news from God is that everyone can have a fresh start with God (2 Peter 3:9). The only requirement is a sincere desire and intention to turn away from what is wrong and to follow God (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). In the Bible, God forgave cheaters (see the story of Jacob in Genesis 27 and 32), murderers (David in 2 Samuel 12), adulterers (an unnamed woman in John 8:1-11), and even those who had turned away from him earlier (Samson in Judges 16 and 17). Today, every person is offered forgiveness in Christ with the opportunity for a fresh start (Jeremiah 3:12-14; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11).

What is the purpose of my life?
There are two answers to this question. First, God invites us to experience a personal relationship with Him. That invitation is offered to every human on earth. Second, God wants each of us to use the abilities and opportunities He’s given us to help others. These purposes are different for each of us.

As part of traditional Christianity, Nazarenes understand that God created all people with the same intention: Each one should have a loving relationship with God that will last for eternity (John 3:16; 1 John 1:3). When we have such a relationship, God intends for us to become more loving, patient, self–disciplined; in short, we are on a journey toward a God–shaped life (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 John 3:2).

In addition, God gives each person special abilities designed to help others. Some are able to teach others about God, some are able to help with physical needs, while some are especially effective in counseling or leadership (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7–11; Ephesians 4:11–13).

What is meant by “salvation”?
Nazarenes, like other Christians, use the term "salvation" to mean turning from wrong actions, committing oneself to God, and living as God directs. Click here for "Three Steps to Salvation"

Salvation is from the word "save." Jesus declared that He came to "save the lost" (Luke 19:10). When a pagan Roman jailer wanted to become a Christian, he asked, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30) When talking to a religious leader, Jesus said that God intended to "save the world" through His life (John 3:17).

But what are we saved from?

Sometimes salvation is promised from other people and their evil intentions (Psalm 18:3). More often, salvation is promised from the evil that is widespread throughout the world (Isaiah 45:22; Acts 4:12). And many times God offers to save us when this world is destroyed (Joel 2:31-32; 1 Peter 4:18). But the most common use of the word may be "saved from the punishment we deserve" (Romans 5:9; 1 Corinthians 15:2; 1 Timothy 2:4).

What do Nazarenes believe about God?
As part of the Christian community, Nazarenes understand that there is one God. He has always existed and He will always exist (Deuteronomy 6:4). We believe that He is creative (Genesis 1; Isaiah 40:25-26), that He is holy (Leviticus 19:2; Isaiah 5:16, 6:1-7), and that He has purposes that He carries out in this world (Jeremiah 29:11; Acts 1:6-7). We also understand that God’s nature is "three-fold:" He is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

This concept of the Trinity (God’s three–fold nature) was understood by the early Christian church as the best way to explain what they experienced. They knew from their Jewish roots that there is only one God. But they also knew that Jesus acted as if He were God. And the Holy Spirit, empowering the church as promised by Jesus and the Old Testament, seemed to have all God’s power as well.

The church could have regarded Jesus and the Holy Spirit as separate "gods," but that was contrary to the earlier scriptures and to Jesus’ own teachings (Matthew 22:36-40). The church could have regarded Jesus as a special creation, but no scriptural teaching supported that view. The church responded by explaining that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are in fact part of the one God who has always existed, known earlier only as a Father (Deuteronomy 1:31; Psalm 103:13).

Who is Jesus Christ?
Based on the historical documents included in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), we understand that Jesus of Nazareth was born to a Jewish family during the early days of the Roman Empire. He was killed by the Roman occupation forces, and truly rose from the dead. Then, He joined God the Father in heaven.

While even those of different faiths consider him a great religious teacher, His followers understood that He was more than just a teacher. He forgave sins (Mark 2:1-12; John 8:1-11); He spoke as if He always existed (John 8:58); and one of His followers even addressed Him as God (John 20:28). His death was more than a simple execution; His death makes it possible for humans to have a restored relationship with God (Colossians 1:21-23). And in His continued life with the Father, He still cares for us humans (1 John 2:1-2).

For these reasons, the Church of the Nazarene agrees with other Christians that Jesus is actually God. He is distinct from God the Father, known to the Jewish nation at the time of Moses (Deuteronomy 1:31; Proverbs 3:12). He is also distinct from the Holy Spirit that has empowered Christians since the earliest days of the Church (Acts 2:4, 33), although the Holy Spirit continues the work of Jesus through His followers today (John 16:13-15).

While He is very much God, He is also human. Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary when the power of the Holy Spirit came upon her (Luke 1:26-35). In Him, the nature of God and the nature of Humanity are united in one Person (Colossians 1:19-20).

What do Nazarenes believe about the Holy Spirit?
Before Jesus died, He told His followers that He would leave them. He also promised them that they would receive "another Counselor" who would be with them forever (John 7:37-39, 12:16). After His death and resurrection he told His followers that they would receive power through the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). He then left His followers (Acts 1:9).

Days later, Jesus’ followers did receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4, 18, 32-33). The church immediately recognized the presence of the Holy Spirit as being equivalent to God’s presence (Acts 15:8-9; Ephesians 3:14-19; 1 John 3:24).

What is baptism?
Baptism has been a Christian symbol since the time of Jesus (Matthew 3:1-7). It involves applying water to Christians to symbolize their death to the old way of life (Romans 6:3-2) and their new life God provides (Galatians 3:26-28). Baptism, a sacramental "means of grace" seals intention to follow God (Acts 2:37-41, 8:35-39, 10:44-48), the Bible never defines how much water was applied nor how. Therefore, the Church of the Nazarene considers immersion, sprinkling, and pouring to all be acceptable methods of baptism.

Nazarenes also understand baptism to be a symbol of the new relationship God has established with His people. Because of this, some Nazarenes choose to have their young children baptized as a symbol of their intention to raise their children in God’s church and their hope to see that the children choose God’s ways when they are older.

What is the Lord’s Supper?
The last night Jesus spent with His disciples, He shared bread and wine with them as part of the Passover meal (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). This sharing of the bread and wine is known as Holy "Communion" or "the Lord’s Supper."

When Jesus shared the bread and wine with His disciples, He told them that the bread symbolized His body and the wine symbolized His blood (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20). The disciples understood this to mean that He was giving up His life (body and blood) for their benefit. The earliest records of the church show that His followers regularly shared bread and wine together, reminding themselves that Jesus had died for them (1 Corinthians 10:14-16).

When Churches of the Nazarene today offer the Lord’s Supper, all believers are invited to share in it, whether or not they are officially members of the church. The Lord’s Supper is not appropriate for those who have not yet accepted the new life God offers (I Corinthians 11:28-29).

Do Nazarenes take official positions on social or political issues?
The Church of the Nazarene understands that Christians are expected to oppose evil and promote good. In our complex world, we also understand that few issues are completely evil or completely good.

We express our opposition to underlying evils such as dishonesty (Leviticus 19:10–11; Romans 12:17; 1 Corinthians 6:7–10), slander and vengeance (2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:15; Ephesians 4:30–32; James 3:5–18; 1 Peter 3:9–10), and sexual immorality (Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Galatians 5:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7).

We also affirm our support for good actions, such as helping those in need (Matthew 25:35–36; 2 Corinthians 9:8–10; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15–16; 1 John 3:17–18), being courteous and helpful (Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:2, 10; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12–14; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John 3:18), and honoring God (Exodus 20:3–6; Leviticus 19:17–18; Deuteronomy 5:7–10, 6:4–5; Mark 12:28–31; Romans 13:8–10).

Rather than taking official stands, on most issues the Church of the Nazarene encourages its members to apply God’s principles and act accordingly. All Christians are promised God’s guidance when we truly seek it (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:16; James 1:5).

How does being a Nazarene affect people's actions?
It is difficult to say that all the people in any group "always" or "never" act certain ways. Within a church body, this is especially difficult, because God works with each believer a little differently. Some people have lived through extremely difficult circumstances, so we cannot say that all Nazarenes are always happy. Some people have naturally shy natures, so we cannot say that all Nazarenes are outgoing in a crowd. But those who are Nazarenes have decided to follow God as best they can, and they intend to be more like God tomorrow than they were yesterday.

Nazarenes actively encourage each other to become more like Jesus. We donate time, money, and energy to causes that will show God’s love to the world (Matthew 25:31-40; Acts 2:45). We tell others about the ways God has worked in our lives, giving Him credit for the positive changes that the Holy Spirit has made (Acts 1:8). Nazarenes invite others to attend church services, because we believe that God works through such gatherings to teach us more about Himself (Acts 2:46; Hebrews 10:25). In short, we live our lives to show how God has made a difference (Matthew 5:13-16; Philippians 4:4-5).

How does the Nazarene understanding of God make a difference in the lives of Nazarene members?
Nazarenes understand that God intends to make us like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2). This means that we are to become holy and Christ-like (Leviticus 11:44; Matthew 5:48). After we have received our new spiritual lives (John 3:5-7), we experience the Holy Spirit teaching us how to live our life in a way that will please God (Galatians 5:22-23).

This means that Nazarenes are not content with knowing that God has met them once. They actively seek to learn more about Him and His plans by reading the Bible, by gathering with other believers, and by spending time communicating with God in prayer.