“As the Body of Christ, we stand firm in the Word of God empowered by the Holy Spirit in such a time as this. Our Doctrinal statements have been drawn from the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ and the principles of Christendom which are reflected in the Epistles. Hence, we cannot concede to the compulsions of secularism, misconstrued biblical teachings like Social Gospel, Hyper Grace and Prosperity Gospel nor to the pressure of an atheistic cultural worldview”.

Nazareth Ministries Doctrinal Statements

BIBLE

The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the revealed will of God and hence, the Bible is infallible, inerrant, enduring and absolute truth. It is the ultimate and final hope and authority for Christian faith and living.

Supportive Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 4:12

TRIUNE GOD

We believe God is eternal, all-powerful (Omnipotent), all-knowing (Omniscient), and present everywhere (Omnipresent). God has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit are in agreement and unified with each other’s role in the office of the Godhead. We believe these three are co-equal and are ONE.
Supportive Scripture: Genesis 1:1,26-27; 3:22, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22, 1 John 5:7, John 1:1, Isaiah 43:10.

GOD THE FATHER

We believe in one God, the maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. Unlike other religions, the God of the Bible is portrayed as a guiding and loving Father to His creation and not an indifferent and remote relationship between a creator and a created being. The extent of His love is clearly seen in John 3:16 that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.
Supportive Scripture: Isaiah 63:16; 64:8; Jeremiah 3:19; Malachi 2:10

GOD THE SON – LORD JESUS CHRIST

We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He is God. He is co-equal with the Father and Holy Spirit, who self-existed even before eternity past who came in to this world, took the form of a man and became an atoning sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary for the sins of the mankind, died and rose again on the third day and now seated at the Right Hand of the Father in majesty and glory to make intercession for His people. We believe in the following attributes/events concerning the life of Lord Jesus Christ:

– Virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1: 31,35)
-Sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22)
-Atoning death on the Cross (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
-Bodily resurrection (Matthew 28:6)
-Ascension to the Father (Acts 1:9; Hebrews 1:3)
– Rapture of His bride (Harpazo), a glorious event where dead in Christ will rise first and those who are in Christ alive will be caught up in the clouds just as Jesus promised before His ascension. (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Supportive Scripture: John 1:1-5; 8:58; 14:10-30

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to bring awareness for the need of a Saviour for righteous living and to bring conviction of sin and judgement. Holy Spirit resides in every Christian from the moment he is Born-again. The Holy Spirit acts as our Helper, Comforter, Intercessor, Counsellor and Advocate (John14:26)

–Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit help believers grow in Christlikeness and to aid in the great Commission of the Church. The gifts of the Holy Spirit that we see in the book of Acts of the Apostles are still active and very much present in the present church. These gifts did not cease with the close of the New Testament or the death of the apostles.
Supportive Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2, Psalm 51:10-12, John 14:16-17; 16:13-17, Acts 1:8, Romans 5:5, 1 Corinthians 12:3-11, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:18, 2 Peter 1:21

SALVATION OF MAN

Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. On the cross Jesus Christ became sin providing both salvation and healing for all mankind. This salvation comes only by confessing with our mouth that ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believing in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. The person who accepts Christ as Lord and Saviour becomes a new creation led by the Holy Spirit. As he leaves his old nature, and becomes a new creation, where the fruits of the Holy Spirit will begin to display in his life in the form of Christ likeness with true holiness and love for others. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works; however, our works are the evidence of our faith and will determine our rewards in eternity.
Supportive Scripture: Psalm 103:3, Romans 3:24; 6:22; 10:9-10; 12:2, Ephesians 2:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17

CHURCH

We believe the Church is the Body and Bride of Christ. The Church exists to worship and glorify God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The ministry of the Church is an extension of the ministry of Jesus in the power of the Spirit. The ultimate mission of the Church is to bring glory to God Almighty by fulfilling the Great Commission. As God is Spirit, we worship God in Spirit and Truth. Hence, we do not worship, venerate or create any idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on and under the earth. The Church is a localised body which is called to make disciples through worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, fellowship, by exercising our gifts and talents, and thus proclaiming the Gospel both in our community and throughout the world.

The judgment of God against our sin was endured by Christ at the finished work of the cross. However, God allows the consequence of unrepentant sins to run its course in successive generations which takes the form of generational curses or generational sins. These generational bondages occur due to agreement of the forefathers made with demonic entities through idol worship, witchcraft, blood sacrifice, evil altars, shedding of blood, addictions which results in marriage breakdowns, financial crisis, sickness, blocking of destinies, infirmities and so on. However, according to the proclamation of Jesus Christ in Luke 4:18 (“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and liberty to those who are oppressed).  A person who is bound by such demonic stronghold can be delivered, healed and restored under the ministry of a God ordained anointed minister of God.

We believe that in order to equip and perfect the saints to build the body of Christ, the Church has been blessed with Five-fold ministry by appointing some as Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. The missionary trips of the disciples as part of the divine mission of Jesus Christ demonstrated in the Gospel of Matthew and the growth of the early church in Acts of Apostles are the protype by which the modern five-fold offices substantiate the present deliverance and healing meetings.

Supportive Scripture: Exodus 20:4-5, Deuteronomy 18:10,Romans 12:4-5, 1 Peter 2:4-5, Acts 14:23, Matthew 10:8; 16:18; 28:18-20, Ephesians 1:20–23; 4:11-12; 5:29-32, 1 Corinthians 12:12–27

SANCTIFICATION IN A CHRISTIAN LIFE

Sanctified life is a life that brings glory to God. We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand. As the Lord has commanded, “Be holy as I am holy”. Apostle Paul appeals his brethren to make a decisive dedication of our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, devoted, consecrated and well pleasing to God. We are to understand that we have been freed from the authority of sin over us, but we have not lost the desire to sin. The sanctification process happens daily as we walk in obedience to God’s word and in the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Sin still appeals to us. But we are no more slaves to sin. Apostle Paul asks us to die to self, by crucifying our desires and passion every moment, that stands contrary to the will of God and live for Him in every decision that we make in our lives. Therefore, sanctify every member of your body by the blood of Jesus and surrender them as instruments of Righteousness for a Holy living through constant repentance and in fear God bringing glory to Lord Jesus Christ.
Supportive Scripture: Levities 11:44, Romans 6:12; 12:1-2

LAYING OF HANDS

Laying of Hands is a Commission to our Ministry. Apostle Paul urges the Hebrews to go on to perfection by following six fundamental principles, of which one was ‘laying of hands’. He charged Timothy, his official delegate in Ephesus, not to neglect the gift he had, which was given to him by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on him. Timothy was sent off for this specific assignment with the public recognition of the recognized leaders not only by their words, but through the visible, tangible, memorable laying on of their hands, which was a public ceremony. Elders lay their hands on a candidate for ministry, when they are commissioned to a particular role of service and they commend him to those among whom he will serve. Thus, they put a ‘Seal of Approval’ on the candidate in the fruitfulness for the new ministry calling. In simple words it’s known as impartation service. In Old Testament, King David was anointed as a King over Judah by the Prophet Samuel at God’s direction, conferring a blessing and authority over him. The same principle is followed from the first century and follows down the line in Churches/ Ministries today which serves as a means of grace to the candidate in affirming God’s call in his life through the ministry in a tangible way. It is also a means of God’s grace to the commissioning leaders, who extend and expand their ministerial calling through a faithful candidate. It is also a medium to clarify who are the official leaders to whom they will seek to submit to. Ultimately in it all, the giver and blesser is the Blessed Holy Spirit.
Supportive Scripture: Acts 13:2-3, 1 Samuel16:1-13 , Hebrews 6:1-2, 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6, Romans 1:11

BAPTISM

We believe that baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures for all who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord. Thus, they declare to the world that they have been buried with Christ through baptism into His death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too have been raised in to the newness of life. This ordinance should be administered by immersion in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself was baptised in river Jordan to fulfil all righteousness.

There are 4 types of Baptism a Christian must follow:-
–Water Baptism by immersion (Matt 28:18-19.Mark 16:16)
-Baptism of Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11, Acts 2: 17)
-Baptism by Fire (Matt 3:11)
-Baptism of Suffering (Mark10:35-40, Luke 12:50)

Supportive Scripture: Acts 2:38, Romans 6:4

MANKIND

Human Beings are made in the image of God. He created them male and female to be in relationship with Him, to live righteously and to reign as Kings and Priests on this earth, to bring God glory back by restoring what was lost in the Garden of Eden. However, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Sin separates man from God. The devil’s activity and mankind’s fallen nature have tainted the world in many ways, thus resulting in misery and futility. There is no Restoration apart from the Redemptive work of Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross.
Supportive Scripture: Genesis 1:27 & chapter 3, Isaiah 53:6; 59:1-2, Romans 3:23, 1 Peter 2:9-10

GENDER AND SEXUALITY

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Changing the gender which God has created is a form of rejecting the image of God within that person. However, hateful and troublesome behaviour or attitudes directed toward any individual because of their gender and sexuality are to be rejected and are not in accord with Scripture. God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Men and women are equally divine in essence, dignity and value but are distinct by physical design. According to this God-ordained design, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and church. Men and Women are both expected to share the Gospel. However, a women should teach only u under the mentorship of a spiritual head who is a God ordained male Pastor/Elder in his ministry/ church.
Supportive Scripture: Joel 2:28, Titus 1:6-9; 2:4, 1 Timothy 2:11-14 & chapter 3

MARRIAGE

“Marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as unambiguously outlined in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other with in the wedlock. We believe that God has commanded that no sexual activity, of any kind, be engaged outside the purview of marriage. No human institutions or cultural groups nor the Church, possess the authority or jurisdiction to set or alter Scripture’s definition of marriage.
We acknowledge the three types of celibacy as acknowledged by the Lord Jesus himself in the Gospel of Matthew which are celibate individuals for the sake of the Kingdom of God; as a result of birth defect and as a result of castration against a person’s will as seen in some primitive/religiously fanatic cultures. These brothers and sisters are wholeheartedly supported and encouraged to remain voluntarily celibate as defined in Scripture. Marriage is a covenant and so family is not only an important social unit but a divine institution. Not only are the lives of the dissenting couples but the future of children is at stake when married couples decide to part ways. Contentious issues that lead to separation and divorce among the couples should be carefully handled by rendering consistent Christian counselling and solid prayer support for the troubled marriages.
Supportive Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27, 2:18-25, Malachi 2:16, Matthew 5:32; 19:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:9-18; 7:1- 8, 32-38, Hebrews 13:4

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
Human life is sacred, created by God in His image. We believe human life is of immeasurable worth from conception to grave. Hence, Christians are called to teach about the value of all human life. Therefore, we believe that abortion (unless the mother’s life is at stake) and euthanasia (mercy killing) is wrong. According to scriptures, Human body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we should keep it holy. Committing suiciding (Mark 8:36), tampering the body with tattooing and piercing (Lev 19:28) are seen as a sinful violation of the scriptures. However, there is repentance, deliverance and restoration in the Lord for all those who turn away from their sins.
Supportive Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28, Psalm 139, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19- 20

LORD’S SUPPER/ HOLY COMMUNION

Lord’s Supper/Holy Communion is to be observed only by those who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour. This ordinance represents the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of His blood at the Cross. As we come to the table with an attitude of reverence, faith and repentance, we remember, proclaim and accept the death of our Lord Jesus Christ that has brought forgiveness of our sins, salvation of our souls and the blessed eternity granted to us thus signifying our unity with other members in the Body of Christ. It is to be observed repeatedly throughout the Christian life as a sign of continued participation in the atoning power of the death of Jesus Christ till He returns. The person who is eligible to partake in Lord’s table is the one who has accepted Jesus as his Lord and personal Saviour and obeyed the commandment of taking water baptism and thereafter continues to walk in holiness.
Supportive Scripture: Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20

THE SECOND COMING OF LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE FINAL JUDGEMENT

Jesus is coming again to gather all His Saints to heaven. Those who have not accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation from God. We believe that there is a Secret coming of Lord Jesus Christ which is generally called as Rapture will take place around the middle of tribulation, when the Antichrist is revealed and the Mark of the Beast is implemented. The Rapture is only for the Faithful Bride of Christ who are eagerly waiting for His return. The final physical coming of the Lord Jesus will be at the end of seven years tribulation where His feet will touch the Mount of Olives
(Zech14:4).Then he will establish His kingdom, rule and reign for one thousand years along with His saints on earth as the Scripture promised. There will be a final judgment (the great white throne judgement) in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the book of life, together with the devil and his angels, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire, which burns with fire and brimstone. After this, there will be a new heaven and a new earth.
Supportive Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 2:1, Revelation 19-21

OFFICE OF THE PRIESTHOOD
Jesus is the one and only Mediator and our great High Priest of the New Covenant and so we believe that our prayers are to be submitted to the Father God in the Name of Lord Jesus through the Glorious Holy Spirit. When we do not know what we ought to pray for, the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes on our behalf in accordance with God’s will (Rom 8:26-27). As believers of the New Covenant, we are also chosen in the office of the royal priesthood to be intercessors for our families, communities and world at large (1 Peter 2:9)