Are Nazarenes Reformed?

[caitlincares]

Since I have not had much luck finding a Reformed church in Augusta I am trying to find a reasonable option. I use to go to the Nazarene church in town over 10 years ago. They do have a different pastor now. I never got anything out of the pastor whenI was there before.

I checked the official Nazarene website last night and most of the Eight Agreed Statements of Faith seem mostly in line with Reformed / Calvinist.
I have seen Nazarene mentioned on some of the Reformed websites I have visited.
Can anyway confirm my assessment?
Thanks in advance.


These are the beliefs Nazarenes hold to be true. They are common to Christians world–wide:

We believe in one God-the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.

We believe that man is born with a fallen nature, and is, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.

We believe that the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.

We believe that the atonement through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin.

We believe that believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe that the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctification of believers.

We believe that our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.

 

[wsgm]

We believe in one God-the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.

That's good.

We believe that man is born with a fallen nature, and is, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.

There's depravity.

We believe that the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.

True.

We believe that the atonement through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin.

Uh-oh. This is General Atonement (an Arminian doctrine). And they have the ordo saludis mixed up. Regeneration comes before faith and repentance. And it sounds like man initiates salvation, so there is no Irresistable Grace. And there is no mention of Unconditional Election.

We believe that believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is good, unless they are teaching that man can become perfect on this earth. Sanctification isn't really done until after we die. But it does sound like Perseverance of the Saints.

We believe that the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctification of believers.

:o The Holy Spirit initiates the new birth and is involved in sanctifying, but I suppsoe He "bears witness" too. They may mean something else, though.

We believe that our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.

No problem here.

I found a page that talks about their history and beliefs (in Georgia, but it should be about the same). CF won't let me post a link, but it is the first result for a Google search for "Nazarenes Wesleyan."



Sounds like they have some odd beliefs. They are Arminian, and they believe in "Entire Sanctification." From the page:

The history of Nazarenes in Georgia dates back to an evangelical revival in eighteenth-century England led by John and Charles Wesley. The movement emphasized holiness in Christian living made possible by a second work of grace following salvation in a believer's life. . . .

The most distinctive belief is called entire sanctification, which is based on the Wesleyan emphasis that Christians are called to a holy life marked by an act of God subsequent to salvation. Entire sanctification cleanses the believer of "original sin" (self-centeredness) and fills him or her with a love for God and humankind.
​

In summary, I wouldn't recommend them.

 

[rmwilliamsll]

Quote:

Originally Posted by: caitlincares



We believe that believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.



This is good, unless they are teaching that man can become perfect on this earth. Sanctification isn't really done until after we die. But it does sound like Perseverance of the Saints.

-----


they are perfectionist.
typical wesleyan perfectionists.
i'm sure that it depends on the local pastor, but they can and do accent this bad doctrine.

 

[caitlincares]

Here is the link to the Official Nazarene website: http://www.nazarene.org/welcome/beliefs/index.html

I always had a problem with what I was lead to believe they meant by "entire sanctification".
I ignore it even though it is one of their main things.
Mostly everything else is reasonable.

From my experience - which is all any of us can go by - I do not believe you can find a church that you totally agree with. Partially because even if the denomination says one thing the individual church may be (slightly or a lot) different on certain issues.

What I understood "entire sanctification" to be was after your initial salvation, maybe many years after, you would eventually get to this other place and then the Holy Spirit would be dealing with you. That is not what the official website suggests BUT that is what I was lead to believe. And this was from over three years stays at two different Nazarene churches in two different states. I only say this to explain my viewpoint not to start a debate.

To them these were both major conversion-like experiences at the altar, generally.
I was already saved before I started attending any Nazarene church and never felt I was lacking in my salvation/conversion experience.

 

[rmwilliamsll]

Here is the link to the Official Nazarene website: http://www.nazarene.org/welcome/beliefs/index.html

I always had a problem with what I was lead to believe they meant by "entire sanctification".
I ignore it even though it is one of their main things.
Mostly everything else is reasonable.

From my experience - which is all any of us can go by - I do not believe you can find a church that you totally agree with. Partially because even if the denomination says one thing the individual church may be (slightly or a lot) different on certain issues.

What I understood "entire sanctification" to be was after your initial salvation, maybe many years after, you would eventually get to this other place and then the Holy Spirit would be dealing with you. That is not what the official website suggests BUT that is what I was lead to believe. And this was from over three years stays at two different Nazarene churches in two different states. I only say this to explain my viewpoint not to start a debate.

To them these were both major conversion-like experiences at the altar, generally.
I was already saved before I started attending any Nazarene church and never felt I was lacking in my salvation/conversion experience.

you bring up a really good point.
---- I do not believe you can find a church that you totally agree with----

What is my relationship to the church supposed to be doctrinally?

I think that the default position, that is unless i want to spent the time and effort to understand the doctrine, to study and come to an informed position, that i ought to accept the church's position on faith, for the sake of unity.

For instance, old earth creationist is an acceptable view in the OPC, EvP, and PCA, the 3 churches i have been a member of. But theistic evolution is outside the pale of the PCA creation report. But i've invested almost 2 years in an intensive study of the issues. But i won't talk about the issues at church, only my wife knows that i changed from OEC-->TE because of the study. It is not an issue of salvation, i am not an elder so i don't have to publically subscribe to the Westminster confession, which is young earth creationist. So by remaining silent and being very careful not to influence anyone away from the confession. i can remain true to both a high view of the church and to my studies. Unity vs schismatic behavior is a greater issue than creationism.

if it was a salvation issue i would be required to find another denomination that taught what i believe, or allow the churches teaching to modify my understanding.

in essentials--unity
in non-essentials---charity
in all things---love

so choosing a compatible church is a big deal.

 

[SoccerAaron]

My aunt is Nazarene and she said they believe you can lose your salvation.
That's about all I know about them.

 

[caitlincares]

My aunt is Nazarene and she said they believe you can lose your salvation.
That's about all I know about them.

Yes, they do.

 

[Bradford]

They also deny Scripture's inerrency in all things- they just think it is inerrent in matters of faith...

 

[caitlincares]

Remember I am only looking to find a reasonable church to attend.

There just is not a lot to chose from here. That is a fact.

There is not even ANY type of Presbyterian church in my area!

I keep opening the phone book to the Churches section and it is grim.

My faith and view of life remains as it always is regardless of what church I go to or don't go to.
But it would be nice to fellowship with other Christians.

 

[blessedbe]

you bring up a really good point.
---- I do not believe you can find a church that you totally agree with----

What is my relationship to the church supposed to be doctrinally?

I think that the default position, that is unless i want to spent the time and effort to understand the doctrine, to study and come to an informed position, that i ought to accept the church's position on faith, for the sake of unity.

For instance, old earth creationist is an acceptable view in the OPC, EvP, and PCA, the 3 churches i have been a member of. But theistic evolution is outside the pale of the PCA creation report. But i've invested almost 2 years in an intensive study of the issues. But i won't talk about the issues at church, only my wife knows that i changed from OEC-->TE because of the study. It is not an issue of salvation, i am not an elder so i don't have to publically subscribe to the Westminster confession, which is young earth creationist. So by remaining silent and being very careful not to influence anyone away from the confession. i can remain true to both a high view of the church and to my studies. Unity vs schismatic behavior is a greater issue than creationism.

if it was a salvation issue i would be required to find another denomination that taught what i believe, or allow the churches teaching to modify my understanding.

in essentials--unity
in non-essentials---charity
in all things---love

so choosing a compatible church is a big deal.

that is very well said, and i have to agree with you totally. I'm in the same boat right now(sort of). I've just come to the "reformed" way of thinking myself, yet I am going to a community church which I do not believe is "reformed", and they are pre-mill, which I am not. I do not teach there, nor am I an elder(being a woman...), so I don't think I'm hurting anything by not subcribing to these beliefs; BUT, in all other aspects, I love the church, and I am definately spiritually fed.

On the other hand, I'm looking forward to a new series our Wednesday night pastor is starting this next week. He gave a bit of a teaser tonight before communinion and it sounds VERY promising, very "calvinistic". I'm going to start a new thread on it, but not tonight, it's too late and I need to think on how to approach it....

 

[blessedbe]

Remember I am only looking to find a reasonable church to attend.

There just is not a lot to chose from here. That is a fact.

There is not even ANY type of Presbyterian church in my area!

I keep opening the phone book to the Churches section and it is grim.

My faith and view of life remains as it always is regardless of what church I go to or don't go to.
But it would be nice to fellowship with other Christians.

I'll keep you in my prayers to find a suitable church!! Best of luck.

 

[caitlincares]

I'll keep you in my prayers to find a suitable church!! Best of luck.

Thanks. Muchly appreciated.

 

[SimplyRain]

Remember I am only looking to find a reasonable church to attend.

There just is not a lot to chose from here. That is a fact.

There is not even ANY type of Presbyterian church in my area!

I keep opening the phone book to the Churches section and it is grim.

My faith and view of life remains as it always is regardless of what church I go to or don't go to.
But it would be nice to fellowship with other Christians.

Hi!
I did a quick internet search and found two PCA churches in Augusta and one First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Chruch.

 

[Bradford]

Hi!
I did a quick internet search and found two PCA churches in Augusta and one First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Chruch.

Sounds like Augusta, GA to me... Caitlin is in Augusta, Maine...

 

[winters]

Are any of these close to Augusta at all? Might be the town is within driving distance of Augusta? http://mountainretreatorg.net/churchit/churchit.cgi?me

 

[LynneClomina]

http://www.presbyterynne.org/wales/

 

[Ceris]

I looked for any churches of my demonination (Presbyterian Church USA) and the closest I found was one in Leeds, Maine. Its 20 miles away from Augusta and is a little closer than the one that Lynne provided a link to.

The chruch is Community Presbyterian Church
Address:
Po Box 228
Leeds, ME 04263 Phone: 207-524-5572

 

[SimplyRain]

Sounds like Augusta, GA to me... Caitlin is in Augusta, Maine...

Oops! Sorry!

 

[Gabriel]

I don't mean to start any fights here, but let's be careful about where we send ppl tp worship. Some denoms are very unbiblical in practice althought they had solid roots way back when.

 

[LynneClomina]

the link i provided i dont know anything about them, i just found it on a web search.....