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Nazareth assembly accepts the Bible as its
divinely inspired authority in all matters. The following is what we
believe the Bible teaches regarding the Christian faith.
Major Doctrines
The Bible. Every word in the original writings of the Holy
Scriptures is inspired of God, authoritative and without error. The
Bible is the only written revelation of God to man and is infallible (2
Tim. 3:16;
2 Pet. 1:21;
Prov. 30:5-6).
The Godhead. There is one God, existing eternally in three
persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is a Spirit, infinite,
eternal, and unchangeable (Exod.
34:6-7;
Deut. 6:4;
Matt. 28: 19;
John 4:24; 10:30;
Acts 5:3-4;
2 Cor. 13:14;
Heb. 1:8-12).
Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He
entered the human race miraculously by being born of a virgin. He did
not sin and He could not sin. He died as a substitute for all the sins
of the human race, was buried, rose bodily from the grave. and ascended
to the Father's right hand, where He now ministers as our Great High
Priest (Matt.
1:21-23;
John 1:1, 14;
Acts 1:9;
Rom. 1:3-4;
2 Cor. 5:21;
Heb. 4:14-15; 7:25; 13:8;
1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18).
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts and converts the
sinner. He regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all true
believers in Christ and empowers them to live a holy life (Matt.
28:19;
John 16:8;
Rom. 8:9-16;
1 Cor. 12:13;
Eph. 1: 12-14).
Man. Adam was created in the image and likeness of God and was
an innocent being. He subsequently sinned, and as head of the human
race he passed on a sinful nature to all mankind. All men are sinners
by nature but also by practice. Apart from God's salvation man is lost
eternally (Gen.
1:27; 9:6;
Rom. 5:12;
Eph. 2:1).
Sin. Sin is any violation of or disobedience to the revealed
will of God. It is also a state, the absence of righteousness, or
anything that falls short of the perfect glory of God. God has
established that the penalty of sin is death (Isa.
53:6;
Ezek. 18:4;
Rom. 3:23;
Jas. 2:10; 4:17;
Rev. 20:11-15).
Salvation. Without the shedding of the precious blood of Christ,
there is no remission of sin. Salvation is by grace through faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ and entirely apart from law-keeping or good works.
It is entered into by all those who hear and understand the gospel,
repent of their sins, and trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Lord and
Savior (Mark
1:15;
John 1:12-13;
Acts 4:12;
Rom. 10:9-13;
1 Cor. 15.1-4;
Heb. 9:22).
The Assembly. The universal Church is made up or all true
believers in the Lord Jesus from Pentecost to the Rapture. Each local
assembly or church should be a miniature of the universal Church,
expressing the great truths of the latter. The local assembly is made up
of believers in the Lord Jesus who have been baptized following their
conversion and who meet together for teaching, fellowship, breaking of
bread, prayers, and evangelism. Christ is the head of each assembly and
He entrusts leadership to the elders, men who are recognized as Christ's
under-shepherds. Each assembly is also to have deacons to serve the
practical needs of the assembly (Acts
2:42-47;
1 Cor. 12:12-13, 27;
Eph. 1:22-23; 5:24-25, 30;
Acts 6:3-6;
1 Tim. 3:1-13;
Heb. 13:17).
Ordinances. There are two Christian ordinances: baptism and the
Lord's Supper. Baptism by immersion signifies that the believer has
died with Christ, has been buried with Him, and has risen to walk in
newness of life with Him. The Lord's Supper is a memorial feast at
which believers worship the Lord and show forth His death until He comes
again. In accordance with the early church, the Lord's Supper should be
celebrated every Lord's day (Matt.
28:19-20;
Luke 22:19-20;
Acts 10:47-48; 20:7;
1 Cor. 11:26).
Other Important Doctrines
Assurance and Security. All true believers can know that
they are saved on the authority of the Word of God. Those who are in
Christ are safe and secure for all eternity (John
10:28-29;
Rom. 5:1;
2 Tim. 1:12;
1 Jn. 5:13).
Christian Life and Priorities. Christians are called to live a
holy life. They are to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and as such, to
live lives of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit.
This service includes ministry in the assembly and propagation of the
gospel to the whole world. They are forbidden by Christ to lay up
treasures on earth and are promised a reward in heaven for faithfulness
in serving God on earth (Matt.
6:19-34;
Mark 8:34-35;
1 Cor. 3:12-15;
1 Pet. 1:15-16;
1 Jn. 2:6).
Spiritual Gifts. Christ gives to each believer, at conversion,
by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, some gift or gifts to equip him to
serve the Lord and edify other believers. Gifts are given by a
sovereign act of God's Spirit and not in response to the desires or
prayers of men. Some gifts were foundational, and the miraculous gifts,
such as healing, miracles, tongues, and interpretation of tongues, were
gifts given as a sign to the Jews during the transitional period as the
church was being established. These foundational and miraculous gifts
ceased when their purposes were accomplished (Rom.
12:6-8;
1 Cor. 12:7-11; 14:22;
2 Cor. 12:12;
Eph. 2:20; 3:6; 4:11-12;
Heb. 2:3-4).
Future Events. God has revealed different dispensations, or
stewardships, with corresponding rules governing life and relationship
with God. In every dispensation the way of salvation is by faith
alone. The present dispensation is the age of grace. The church did
not exist prior to this age, and does not take the place of Israel in
the prophecies of Scripture. The personal, imminent return of the Lord
Jesus to Rapture the Church will be followed in order by the
tribulation. Christ's thousand-year reign on earth, and the eternal
state of punishment for the unsaved and blessing for the saved (Matt.
24:21, 29-30; 25:46;
Rom. 6:14;
1 Cor. 10:32;
Eph. 3:2-6:
Col. 1:25-27;
1 Thes. 4:13-18; 5:4-10;
Heb. 7:18-19;
Rev. 10:1-6).
Each believer in fellowship must be absolute agreement with the assembly
on the MAJOR DOCTRINES in the doctrinal statement. In secondary matters
nonessentials, or matters of moral indifference, there shall be
liberty. However, those in fellowship who hold opposing views to the
doctrinal statement of the assembly shall refrain from teaching their
views either publicly or privately. No one shall be permitted to
propagate views that are contrary to the doctrinal statement or that
prove divisive.
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