Church of the Nazarene
According to the Church of the Nazarene's 1985 manual, the Church of the Nazarene was founded by Phineas F. Bresee and J.P. Widney in the year 1895 in Los Angeles, California. Bresee was a Methodist "pastor" well known among the people of Iowa and Southern California. He preached a message of "sanctification," believing material riches and worldliness prevented men from living holy lives. He also felt the Methodist church had neglected the poor people in the inner-cities, so he requested and "urban mission." Phineas became discouraged and was led by his friend J.P. Widney, a prominent physician, to begin a new congregation. Widney chose the name "Church of the Nazarene" since Jesus was from Nazareth, and his early followers had sometimes been called "Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5). their first services were held on October 6, 1895 in a rented hall in Los Angeles.
Articles of Faith were drawn up based upon the Methodist Doctrine, but included a statement on "entire sanctification". Their mission was stated in this affirmation: "We seek the simplicity and the Pentecostal power of the primitive New Testament church. The field of labor to which we feel especially called is in the neglected quarters of the cities and wherever else may be found waste places and souls seeking pardon and cleansing from sin. This work we aim to do through the agency of city missions, evangelistic services, house visitation, caring for the poor, comforting the dying." The denomination grew rapidly. The church was "democratic" -- members elected Pastors. Women were ordained and given positions as pastors and deaconesses. Rules were few: Don't work on the Lord's day, be honest in business, live and dress in a simple way, do not sell, buy or drink alcoho, no tobacco and no secret societies. in 1907, Phinease Bresee urged a union between his denominations in the West and the Association of Pentecostal Churches of America in the East. The union was drawn up in Chicago. In 1908, another union involving the Holiness Church of Christ, in the South, was consummated in Pilot Point, Texas. Phineas continued as "pastor" until 1911 and General Superintendent of the denomination until his deathin 1915.
--D.S.Dow
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Church of the Nazarene |
God's Word |
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Ministers must be educated in a Church of the Nazarene college or seminary (Nazarene Manual pg 184) |
Not in Bible. Older men train the younger. Preach the Word -- (1 Timothy 2:1-2; 4:1-4) |
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Original Sin -- Inherited Sin (Nazarene Manual page 25) |
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die; the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son..." (Ezekiel 18:20)
"See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10)
"Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14) |
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"Entire Sanctification" (Christian Perfection) comes after being freed by original sin and baptism of Holy Spirit. "Obtained in an instant" -- not to be confused with gradual growth that continues through life. (Nazarene Manual pages 28,29) |
Not found in the bible
Nazarene doctrine places salvation from original sin and baptism at infancy, making this "entire sanctification" a second experience. The Holy spirit baptism is not a commandment for all, but rather a promise to the apostles. (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4) |
Baptism.
Infants and children may be baptized. Different forms are used -- sprinkling, pouring, immersion. Personal choice is applied. (Nazarene Manual page 31) |
One Baptism (Ephesians 4:5)
Burial; immersion (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2;12)
Adult Penitent Believers, not a ceremony chosen by parents for infants. (Examine Conversions in Acts 2,8,9,10,16) |
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Organized and governed by a representative form of government.Superintendents, General Assemblies, Local Churches, Delegates. (Nazarene Manual Page 36) |
Complex organization unknown to Bible. Local church led by elders (bishops, shepherds) -- (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-4), Saints, Bishops, Deacons (Phil. 1:1) |
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Members must be 15 years old to vote in annual or special meetings. To apply for membership, must be taught Articles of Faith, the General and Special Rules of the Church of the Nazarene. (Nazarene Manual Page 56) |
The Bible does not mention anyone voting -- it was not a demoncracy. All authority belongs to Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 1:18)
No Nazarene manual mentioned in Bible |
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"The Pastor" has oversight of the local church. Every local church shall have a church board -- defined on page 68. (Nazarene manual page 179) |
One Pastor/Shepherd was never over a local church, always plural (Acts 20:17, 28, Phil 1:1)
"Board..." -- Not in Bible |
Source: Traditions of Men Versus the Word of God by ALvin Jennings
Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ
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