faqs (frequently asked questions)
What is a Christian?
If I’ve done something really wrong, will God forgive me?
What is the purpose of my life?
What do Nazarenes believe about God?
What is a Christian?
Answer: Webster’s Dictionary defines a Christian as “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teaching of Jesus.” While this is a good starting point in understanding what a Christian is, like many secular definitions, it falls short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian. The word Christian is used three times in New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. Unfortunately over time, the word “Christian” has lost a great deal of it significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values instead of a true born again follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who don’t believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a “Christian” nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Titus 3:5. A Christian is someone who has been born-again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and the fact that He died on the cross as payment for sins and rose again on the third day to obtain victory over death and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him. Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? If you have a specific question about our church or a spiritual or doctrinal question please e-mail us.
If I’ve done something really wrong, will God forgive me?
Yes! The good news from God is that everyone can have a fresh start with God (2 Peter 3:9). The only requirement is a sincere desire and intention to turn away from what is wrong and to follow God (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). In the Bible, God forgave cheaters (see the story of Jacob in Genesis 27 and 32), murderers (David in 2 Samuel 12), adulterers (an unnamed woman in John 8:1-11), and even those who had turned away from him earlier (Samson in Judges 16 and 17). Today, every person is offered forgiveness in Christ with the opportunity for a fresh start (Jeremiah 3:12-14; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11). Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? If you have a specific question about our church or a spiritual or doctrinal question please e-mail us.
What is the purpose of my life?
There are two answers to this question. First, God invites us to experience a personal relationship with Him. That invitation is offered to every human on earth. Second, God wants each of us to use the abilities and opportunities He’s given us to help others. These purposes are different for each of us. As part of traditional Christianity, Nazarenes understand that God created all people with the same intention: Each one should have a loving relationship with God that will last for eternity (John 3:16; 1 John 1:3). When we have such a relationship, God intends for us to become more loving, patient, self–disciplined; in short, we are on a journey toward a God–shaped life (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 John 3:2). In addition, God gives each person special abilities designed to help others. Some are able to teach others about God, some are able to help with physical needs, while some are especially effective in counseling or leadership (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7–11; Ephesians 4:11–13). Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? If you have a specific question about our church or a spiritual or doctrinal question please e-mail us.
What do Nazarenes believe about God?
As part of the Christian community, Nazarenes understand that there is one God. He has always existed and He will always exist (Deuteronomy 6:4). We believe that He is creative (Genesis 1; Isaiah 40:25-26), that He is holy (Leviticus 19:2; Isaiah 5:16, 6:1-7), and that He has purposes that He carries out in this world (Jeremiah 29:11; Acts 1:6-7). We also understand that God’s nature is “three-fold:” He is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14). This concept of the Trinity (God’s three–fold nature) was understood by the early Christian church as the best way to explain what they experienced. They knew from their Jewish roots that there is only one God. But they also knew that Jesus acted as if He were God. And the Holy Spirit, empowering the church as promised by Jesus and the Old Testament, seemed to have all God’s power as well. The church could have regarded Jesus and the Holy Spirit as separate “gods,” but that was contrary to the earlier scriptures and to Jesus’ own teachings (Matthew 22:36-40). The church could have regarded Jesus as a special creation, but no scriptural teaching supported that view. The church responded by explaining that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are in fact part of the one God who has always existed, known earlier only as a Father (Deuteronomy 1:31; Psalm 103:13).
Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? If you have a specific question about our church or a spiritual or doctrinal question please e-mail us at hanfordnazarene@sbcglobal.net