What is the Church of the Nazarene?

[Jean_1958]

A little church has openned up a few blocks down the street from where I live. It is called the Church of the Nazarene. How old is this church and what are the beliefs? Thank you.

Jean

 

[Thomas63116]

They are a denomination founded in 1908 which traces its theological roots back to John Wesley but also has Pentecostal influences. In my personal (limited) experience most members of this group who I have run across tend to be rather conservative.

You can read more about this denomination on their website, including their history page:

nazarene.org/ministries/administration/visitorcenter/history/display.aspx

 

[Jean_1958]

Thank you Thomas63116.

They are Pentacostal in nature. The website that you provided is a very good one. It is very informative.

Is there anyone here at CAF that is or was a member of the Church of the Nazarene? What has your experience been like with this church? Thank you.

Jean

 

[Athanasiy]

In the area where I live , they are not pentecostal.
They are conservative , much similar to the independent conservative Baptists or to the Menonites.

 

[Contarini]

Thank you Thomas63116.

They are Pentacostal in nature.

Not as the word is normally defined. They do not historically believe in or practice speaking in tongues.

Originally they called themselves the “Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene” but dropped the word “Pentecostal” precisely to avoid confusion with what was becoming the standard meaning of the word.

The Nazarenes are part of the “holiness movement,” and early Pentecostalism also originated from the holiness movement. The holiness movement (at least in its late-19th/early-20th-century form) is “pentecostal” in the sense that it believes in a “second work of grace” which is identified with what the Apostles experienced on the day of Pentecost (that’s why the early Nazarenes called themselves Pentecostals). The difference is that Pentecostal Holiness folks see the baptism with the Spirit as a *third *experience after conversion and entire sanctification, while the non-Pentecostal holiness folks identify being filled with the Spirit and entire sanctification, rejecting the idea that speaking with tongues is the “initial evidence.” And then there are many Pentecostal groups who do not necessarily believe in an experience of entire sanctification at all (the Assemblies of God, for instance).

If you think this is complicated, try explaining Catholic doctrine sometime!

Edwin