Why I Left The Church Of The Nazarene? This question explores deeply personal and theological reasons, impacting one’s spiritual journey and faith adherence. At WHY.EDU.VN, we explore the complexities of faith transitions, offering insights into diverse perspectives within religious experiences. Examine the factors leading to a departure from a religious institution and promote informed decision-making and understanding in faith-related matters with relevant scriptures.
1. My Background in the Church of the Nazarene
I was raised within the Church of the Nazarene, with my initial exposure occurring around the age of six. The pastor’s invitation marked the beginning of our family’s involvement. Soon, cottage prayer meetings were held in our home, bringing joy to my invalid grandfather. My mother, brothers, and I became members. The early impressions made during those formative years remain with me to this day.
My introduction to the New Testament church was somewhat unexpected. A year before embracing the gospel, I grew disillusioned with Nazarene teachings. This dissatisfaction led me to cease attending any church for about a year. Eventually, I was encouraged to visit the church of Christ in North Little Rock.
2. Early Religious Influences
I was born in Mayflower, Arkansas. In 1921, gospel preachers W.W. Still and J.C. Mosley held a meeting, baptizing seventy-five people. My parents obeyed the gospel, but later lost interest. After they became indifferent, we started attending the Nazarene church (except for my father). Later, my father was restored to the truth and helped establish a church in North Little Rock, influencing my eventual return to the New Testament church.
3. Initial Impressions of the Church of Christ
Initially, I wasn’t impressed with the church of Christ, influenced by negative perceptions of “Campbellites.” However, my first visit surprised me with its simplicity and the sermon’s impact. The difference in preaching aroused my curiosity. I realized that the preacher verified every teaching with scripture, contrasting with the traditions and speculations I was used to.
4. The Difficulty of Leaving
Leaving the Nazarene Church wasn’t easy. It’s never easy to depart from error. I sympathize with those hesitant to accept new teachings due to sentimental attachments or fear of losing friends. I faced the same challenges—risking friendships and potentially making enemies. Despite these sacrifices, I obeyed the gospel of Christ on September 15, 1935, and was baptized by Brother Clem Z. Pool. My brother Orland, now a gospel preacher, joined me.
5. Respect for Nazarene People
I don’t speak disparagingly of Nazarene people, many of whom are my friends. I hold them in high esteem, opposing their doctrines, not them. They are conscientious, zealous, and sincere. However, these qualities alone aren’t sufficient for obeying God, as illustrated by Paul’s persecution of the church before his conversion (Acts 23:1; 26:9-11).
6. Key Differences in Doctrine
It’s impractical to discuss every tenet of the Nazarene church, but I want to share a few doctrines I couldn’t reconcile with scripture. I’ll provide some of these doctrines for your consideration.
6.1. Origin and Foundation of Nazarenes
The holiness movement in America began near the close of the nineteenth century, an outgrowth of the Wesleyan holiness movement in England. According to the Nazarene church Manual, on May 12, 1886, brethren in Providence, Rhode Island, organized weekly religious services to promote Wesleyan doctrine. In October 1895, Rev. Phineas F. Bresee and Rev. J.P. Widney formed the First Church of the Nazarene in Los Angeles, California.
I could no longer be a member for three reasons:
6.1.1. Wrong Purpose
The Nazarene church was founded to promote Wesleyan doctrine. Any organization founded on human ideas and opinions is on the wrong foundation. Paul declared, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 3:11).
6.1.2. Wrong Church
The Nazarene church was established in 1895 in Los Angeles, California. The New Testament church was established in Jerusalem in A.D. 33. The Nazarene church is of human origin, while Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build My church …” (Matthew 16:18).
6.1.3. Wrong Purpose Again
The church was established to promote Wesleyan doctrine. Jesus said, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). Paul warned, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).
6.2. Heredity Total Depravity
The doctrine of heredity total depravity suggests that by birth, one is completely wicked and estranged from God. It’s also called inbred sin, inherent sin, the old man, the Adamic nature, or the carnal mind. This doctrine supports all other peculiar beliefs.
The Nazarene church manual states, “We believe that original sin, or depravity, is that corruption of the nature of all the offspring of Adam…is averse to God, is without spiritual life, and is inclined to evil” (Manual, page 27). This doctrine originated with Augustine in the fourth century and was further developed by John Wesley.
Wesley said, “Every man born into the world now bears the image of the devil…In sensual appetites and desires” (Wesley’s Sermons, Volume II, page 266). He also said, “We are condemned before we have done good or evil, and under curse ere we know what it is” (Original Sins, Wesley, page 340).
This doctrine fostered other false doctrines, such as the direct operation of the Holy Spirit, sanctification (the second blessing), and Christian perfection.
However, the Bible teaches, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). The verse says, “And thus death spread to all men, because all sinned,” not “for that Adam sinned.”
If all men were born in sin because of Adam’s transgression, then since the death of Christ all men are born redeemed. Luke informs us that Christ was a descendant of Adam (Luke 3:38). According to Nazarene theology, Jesus came into this world bearing “the image of the devil.”
The Word of God declares, “The son shall not bear the guilt of the father” (Ezekiel 18:20). Ezekiel affirmed, “You were perfect in your own ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:15). Paul contended that one is a sinner because of his own wickedness (Colossians 1:21).
What if the father had already been to the mourner’s bench and had the “image of the devil” eradicated before the child was born? If we can inherit a sinful nature, why can’t we inherit a righteous nature? Moral character is not transmissible.
6.3. Sanctification
Sanctification is the second step in Wesleyan holiness. It became necessary because of the doctrine of inbred sin. The “holiness advocates” produced the doctrine of entire sanctification, also called the second blessing.
According to Nazarene theology, a person goes to the mourner’s bench to pray away his past, personal sins (the first “blessing”) and then returns to seek the “second blessing” to be pardoned of Adam’s sin.
The Nazarene manual states, “We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin or depravity…It wrought by the baptism of the Holy Spirit” (Manual, page 29).
According to this doctrine, a person is first “regenerated” and then “sanctified,” making one a child of God still bearing “the image of the devil.” The theory avers that sanctification empowers the believer to life and service.
The Bible denies such theological concoctions. The English verb sanctify is translated from the Greek hagiazo, which means “to render sacred or holy…to separate from things profane and dedicate to God” (Greek-English Lexicon, Joseph M. Thayer, page 6).
The Bible explains that sanctification is effected by the offering of the blood of Christ (Hebrews 10:14). Paul said, “But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:9-11).
The divine order is: (1) “Washed” in the blood of the Lamb of God, (2) “sanctified,” and (3) “justified.” Paul said, “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).
6.4. Sinless Perfection
Sinless perfection is the product of sanctification. When one receives sanctification, it enables him to live a sinlessly perfect life, according to Nazarene theology.
The Nazarene church manual prescribes discipline for those who live such “perfect” lives but are found committing sin. Every Nazarene preacher must experience sanctification and testify that he is living sinlessly.
The Bible uses the term “perfect” in different senses. At times, it signifies absolute perfection (applied to God) and at other times, a relative perfection (applied to man). The idea of man’s absolute moral perfection or sinlessness is foreign to the Bible.
Paul disclaims absolute perfection (Philippians 3:12) but claims a relative perfection (Philippians 3:15). The Bible denies that man can achieve absolute moral perfection in this life. “For there is no one who does not sin” (I Kings 8:46).
Paul said, “And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). Christian holiness is not a second work of grace but is imparted at conversion. Holiness is received by putting on the “new man” (Romans 6:3-6).
6.5. The Mourner’s Bench
Remove the mourner’s bench, and you would inflict a mortal wound to their holiness doctrines. It is indispensable to holiness doctrines. It is there they pray through to salvation, get the second blessing, pray for divine healing, and pray for the salvation of their friends.
The mourner’s bench is the most ridiculous and absurd feature of the holiness religion. The preacher convinces sinners to accept God, but at the mourner’s bench, they find out that God has changed his mind and now they must pray and beg God to do what the preacher assured them He was already willing to do.
I wish to file a number of charges and indictments against the mourner’s bench system of salvation:
6.5.1. No Scriptural Requirement
God has nowhere required the unregenerate sinner to pray for the forgiveness of his sins.
6.5.2. No Mourner’s Bench in the New Testament
Of all the cases of conversion in the New Testament, no inspired gospel preacher ever urged a sinner to pray his sins away at a mourner’s bench. On Pentecost, there is no record of a single prayer being uttered (Acts 2).
6.5.3. Responsibility of Salvation
The mourner’s bench places all the responsibility of salvation upon God, whereas man is responsible for accepting God’s will (Acts 2:40).
6.5.4. Respecter of Persons
The mourner’s bench represents God as being a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11).
6.5.5. God is Unwilling
The mourner’s bench implies that God is unwilling to save all who come to him (II Peter 3:9).
6.5.6. Completing Obedience
Saul of Tarsus was commanded to cease his fasting and prayer and complete his obedience to Christ (Acts 22:16).
6.5.7. Useless to Call Without Obeying
The mourner’s bench disregards the fact that it is useless to call upon the Lord without obeying him (Luke 6:46).
6.5.8. Does Not Comply with God’s Plan
The mourner’s bench does not comply with God’s plan of salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
Yield your hearts to the Savior in obedience to the simple terms of the gospel. He is ready and willing to save you. Obey the truth of God, and it will make you free. Lay all aside for Christ. Confess your Lord, though others may scoff. The only unquestionably safe course is to take your station upon the simple teachings of the word of God and reject the wisdom of men in religion.
7. Conclusion
I believe it is important for individuals to seek truth and align their beliefs with the teachings found in the Bible. Leaving a church or religious organization is a deeply personal decision, often influenced by theological discrepancies and a search for deeper spiritual understanding.
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FAQ: Why I Left The Church Of The Nazarene
- What is the holiness movement?
- The holiness movement was a Christian movement that emerged in the 19th century, emphasizing the pursuit of personal holiness and sanctification as essential aspects of the Christian life.
- What are the key doctrines of the Church of the Nazarene?
- Key doctrines include entire sanctification, the second blessing, hereditary total depravity, and the importance of the mourner’s bench for spiritual experiences.
- What is entire sanctification?
- Entire sanctification is the belief that, after conversion, believers can experience a second work of grace that cleanses them from original sin and enables them to live a sinless life.
- What is hereditary total depravity?
- Hereditary total depravity is the doctrine that all humans are born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam, making them inclined to evil from birth.
- Why is the mourner’s bench important in the Church of the Nazarene?
- The mourner’s bench is a central place where individuals seek salvation, sanctification, divine healing, and other spiritual experiences through prayer and repentance.
- What does the Bible say about inheriting sin?
- The Bible teaches that each person is responsible for their own sins, as stated in Ezekiel 18:20: “The son shall not bear the guilt of the father.”
- How does the Bible define sanctification?
- Sanctification is defined as being set apart for God’s service, purified, and made holy through the blood of Christ, as seen in Hebrews 10:14 and 1 Corinthians 6:11.
- Can Christians achieve sinless perfection in this life?
- The Bible indicates that Christians can strive for perfection but will still struggle with sin in this life, as acknowledged in 1 Kings 8:46 and Philippians 3:12.
- What is the role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification?
- The Holy Spirit empowers believers for holy living, but the Bible does not support the idea of a separate baptism of the Holy Spirit for entire sanctification, as taught in Nazarene theology.
- How does the Church of Christ differ from the Church of the Nazarene?
- The Church of Christ emphasizes adherence to the New Testament scriptures without human creeds, rejects the doctrine of entire sanctification, and practices baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
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