“There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs – we have liberty.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing
judgment on disputable matters…Who are you to
judge someone else’s servant? To his own master
he stands or falls…So then each of us will be an
account of himself to God…So whatever you
believe about these things keep between yourself and
God.” Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
In all our beliefs – we show charity.
“…If I hold in my mind not only all human
knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I
have the faith that can move mountains – but have
no love, I amount to nothing at all.” I
Corinthians 13:2 (Ph)
Our
Essential Beliefs
Southeast Church of the Nazarene embraces
the doctrines and teachings of the International
Church of the Nazarene whose Articles of Faith
are part of the Constitution of the church in our
official organ, The Manual of the Church of the
Nazarene. We embrace the historic Christian
creeds, which come from the scriptures, and
confess our faith to be:
I believe in God, the Father
almighty,
creator of heaven and earth,
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our
Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the
dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic (universal) Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
There is one living and infinite God,
everlasting Sovereign of the universe. He only is
God, creative and administrative, holy in nature,
attributes, and purpose. He, as God, is revealed in
unity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ, the Word, is the Son, and eternally God.
He took man's nature through the Holy Spirit and was
born of a virgin named Mary so that in Him Godhood and
manhood, were united in one Person. Jesus died for our
sins and truly rose from the dead, after which He
ascended into His Father's presence and is there making
intercession for us. He is God with us, Emmanuel.
The Holy Spirit is God going forth from the Father and
the Son. He is ever present and active in the Church of
Christ. He convinces humans of sin and gives life to
those who repent, as well as guiding believers into all
truth as it is in Jesus. He is God in us, His
church.
We believe in the inspiration of God's Spirit of the Holy Scriptures, by which we understand the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments were given to reveal the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained in them is not to be held as binding to our faith.
V. Original Sin and Personal Sin
Original sin is depravity, the corruption of
the nature of all Adam's descendants. We are very
far gone from the original pure righteousness of our
first parents at the time of their creation. We were
born without spiritual life and are inclined to
evil. Original sin is the source of personal
sin.
Personal sin is an act against the known law of God.
These sins are a violation of the law of love, and in
relation to Christ may be defined as acts committed in
unbelief. Through our personal sin we are guilty and
stand in condemnation before God. Through original sin
we are corrupt and in need of new creation.
The single suffering and death of Jesus Christ as the offering of God is the only hope of salvation. This Atonement (Christ's provision making us at-one-with God) provides forgiveness of sins and cleansing of all human sin. It is sufficient and able to save anyone completely.
We were originally created in Godlikeness. This includes the ability to choose between right and wrong. We are morally responsible. Through the fall of Adam we became depraved so that we cannot now turn and prepare ourselves by natural strength or faith to call upon God. God through Jesus Christ is enabling us to turn from sin (grace) to righteousness by believing in Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing and for living a life pleasing in His sight. We know we may fall from this grace and apostatize (turn away from Christ our God).
We believe that repentance (a sincere and thorough change of the mind toward sin and grief for our personal sins) is demanded of all. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent pardon and spiritual life. He guides into all righteousness.
IX. Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption
Justification (a legal term) comes only from God when He grants full pardon of sins committed and acceptance as righteous of all who believe on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Those who are justified before God are new creations (regenerated). As new people we are children of God (adopted).
Entire sanctification is also known by various terms representing different histories, such as "Christian perfection," "perfect love," "heart purity, "the Lordship of Christ," "full salvation," and "Christian holiness." We believe that Christ leads all believers into the spirit of pure obedience and devotion to God. We all are called into His righteousness. The grace of entire sanctification must be consciously nurtured and carefully given attention for spiritual development and improvement in Christ-likeness.
The Church is 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 His life in the unity
and fellowship of the Spirit - in worship through
the preaching of the Word, the observance of the
sacraments, and praise of 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. God calls the Church to live under His rule in
anticipation of the coming and reign of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
We believe that Christian baptism is a sacrament signifying acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ and is to be administered to believers as declarative of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and of full purpose of obedience in holiness and righteousness. Baptism being the covenant-symbol of the New Testament grace, infants may be baptized. Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the applicant.
XIII. The Lord's Supper (Eucharist)
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. It is distinctively for those who are prepared for reverent appreciation of its significance, and by it they show forth the Lord's death until He comes again.
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.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again and 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.
XVI. Resurrection, Judgment, 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 - some to the resurrection of life and some to the resurrection of the damned. Every person shall appear before God to be judged according to his or her deeds in this life. Everlasting life is assured to all who are saved and obediently follow Jesus Christ our Lord.