7

We believe that the human race’s creation in Godlikeness included ability to choose between right and wrong, and that thus human beings were made morally responsible; that through the fall of Adam they became depraved so that they cannot now turn and prepare themselves by their own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon God. But we also believe that the grace of God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all people, enabling all who will to turn from sin to righteousness, believe on Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from sin, and follow good works pleasing and acceptable in His sight.

We believe that all persons, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire sanctification, may fall from grace and apostatize and, unless they repent of their sins, be hopelessly and eternally lost.

(Godlikeness and moral responsibility: Genesis 1:26–27; 2:16–17; Deuteronomy 28:1–2; 30:19; Joshua 24:15; Psalm 8:3–5; Isaiah 1:8–10; Jeremiah 31:29–30; Ezekiel 18:1–4; Micah 6:8; Romans 1:19–20; 2:1–16; 14:7–12; Galatians 6:7–8
Natural inability: Job 14:4; 15:14; Psalms 14:1–4; 51:5; John 3:6a; Romans 3:10–12; 5:12–14, 20a; 7:14–25
Free grace and works of faith: Ezekiel 18:25–26; John 1:12–13; 3:6b; Acts 5:31; Romans 5:6–8, 18; 6:15–16, 23; 10:6–8; 11:22; 1 Corinthians 2:9–14; 10:1–12; 2 Corinthians 5:18–19; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12–13; Colossians 1:21–23; 2 Timothy 4:10a; Titus 2:11–14; Hebrews 2:1–3; 3:12–15; 6:4–6; 10:26–31; James 2:18–22; 2 Peter 1:10–11; 2:20–22)

10

We believe that sanctification is the work of God which transforms believers into the likeness of Christ. It is wrought by God’s grace through the Holy Spirit in initial sanctification, or regeneration (simultaneous with justification), entire sanctification, and the continued perfecting work of the Holy Spirit culminating in glorification. In glorification we are fully conformed to the image of the Son.

We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect.

It is wrought by the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one experience the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by grace through faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.

This experience is also known by various terms representing its different phases, such as “Christian perfection,” “perfect love,” “heart purity,” “the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit,” “the fullness of the blessing,” and “Christian holiness.”

10.1

We believe that there is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character. The former is obtained in an instant, the result of entire sanctification; the latter is the result of growth in grace.

We believe that the grace of entire sanctification includes the divine impulse to grow in grace as a Christlike disciple. However, this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and careful attention given to the requisites and processes of spiritual development and improvement in Christlikeness of character and personality. Without such purposeful endeavor, one’s witness may be impaired and the grace itself frustrated and ultimately lost.

Participating in the means of grace, especially the fellowship, disciplines, and sacraments of the Church, believers grow in grace and in wholehearted love to God and neighbor.

(Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:25–27; Malachi 3:2–3; Matthew 3:11–12; Luke 3:16–17; John 7:37–39; 14:15–23; 17:6–20; Acts 1:5; 2:1–4; 15:8–9; Romans 6:11–13, 19; 8:1–4, 8–14; 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; Galatians 2:20; 5:16–25; Ephesians 3:14–21; 5:17–18, 25–27; Philippians 3:10–15; Colossians 3:1–17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24; Hebrews 4:9–11; 10:10–17; 12:1–2; 13:12; 1 John 1:7, 9)
(“Christian perfection,” “perfect love”: Deuteronomy 30:6; Matthew 5:43–48; 22:37–40; Romans 12:9–21; 13:8–10; 1 Corinthians 13; Philippians 3:10–15; Hebrews 6:1; 1 John 4:17–18
“Heart purity”: Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:8–9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:3 “Baptism with the Holy Spirit”: Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:25–27; Malachi 3:2–3; Matthew 3:11–12; Luke 3:16–17; Acts 1:5; 2:1–4; 15:8–9
“Fullness of the blessing”: Romans 15:29
“Christian holiness”: Matthew 5:1–7:29; John 15:1–11; Romans 12:1–15:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17–5:20; Philippians 1:9–11; 3:12–15; Colossians 2:20–3:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7–8; 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:19–22; Hebrews 10:19–25; 12:14; 13:20–21; 1 Peter 1:15–16; 2 Peter 1:1–11; 3:18; Jude 20–21)

20.6

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

20.7

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

34

We direct our local churches to elect as church officers active members of the local church who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance, active service, and with tithes and offerings. Church officers should be fully engaged in “making Christlike disciples in the nations.” (113.11, 127, 145–147)

113.11

Elections. At the annual church meeting there shall be an election, by ballot, of the stewards (137), the trustees (141, 142.1), the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International superintendent (SDMI) (146), and the members of the SDMI Board (145), to serve for the next church year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Where laws permit and when it is approved by a majority vote of the church members present, all those elected may serve a two-year term. All those elected shall be active members of that same local Church of the Nazarene.

We direct our local churches to elect as church officers active members of the local church who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance, active service, and with tithes and offerings. Church officers should be fully engaged in “making Christlike disciples in the nations.” (34, 127, 145–147)

127

Membership. Every local church shall have a church board, composed of the pastor, the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) superintendent, the president of the Nazarene Youth International (NYI), the president of the Nazarene Missions International (NMI), the stewards, and the trustees of the church, and the members of the SDMI Board when elected as the Education Committee of the church board by the annual church meeting. If the NMI president is the pastor’s spouse, and chooses not to serve on the board, the vice president may serve; however, if the president is the pastor’s spouse and chooses to serve on the board, he or she shall not be a part of the review process of the pastor.

There shall be no more than 25 regular members of the church board. (113.11) Ordained and district licensed ministers unassigned by the district and paid employees of the local church are not eligible to serve on the local church board.

We direct our local churches to elect as church officers active members of the local church who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance, active service, and with tithes and offerings. Church officers should be fully engaged in “making Christlike disciples in the nations.” (34, 113.11, 137, 141, 145–147, 151, 153.2, 160.4)

145

Each local church shall establish a Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) Board, or an Education Committee as part of the church board, at the annual church meeting, to be responsible for the Christian education ministries of the church. In churches of 75 members or fewer, the responsibilities may be performed by the church board. Members are: ex-officio the SDMI superintendent (146); the pastor; the Nazarene Missions International (NMI) president; the Nazarene Youth International (NYI) president; Children’s Ministries (CM) director; Adult Ministries (AM) director; and three to nine persons elected from the church membership at the annual church meeting. The members may be elected for staggered terms of two years and until their successors are elected and qualified. When an elected member vacancy occurs, it may be filled at a duly called church meeting. If a church elects an education committee as part of the church board, it shall follow Manual requirements for minimum number of stewards and trustees (137, 141). Ex-officio personnel shall be members of the committee, though some may not be members of the church board.

We direct our local churches to elect as church officers active members of the local church who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance, active service, and with tithes and offerings. Church officers should be fully engaged in “making Christlike disciples in the nations.” (34)

The duties and powers of the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International Board or Education Committee are:

146

The Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International Superintendent. The annual church meeting shall elect by majority vote by ballot, of those present and voting, from among its full members, a Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) superintendent to serve for one year (34), or until his or her successor is elected. The SDMI Board, with the pastor’s approval, may call for an incumbent SDMI superintendent to be elected by a “yes” or “no” vote. A vacancy shall be filled by the local church at a duly called church meeting (113.11, 145.5). The SDMI superintendent, newly elected, shall be a member ex-officio of the district assembly (201), the local church board (127), and the SDMI Board (145).

We direct our local churches to elect as church officers active members of the local church who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance, active service, and with tithes and offerings. Church officers should be fully engaged in “making Christlike disciples in the nations.” (34)

The duties and powers of the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International superintendent are: