The following are the core beliefs of Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
The Church of the Nazarene has 16 articles of faith which are summarized below:
- We believe in one God, the creator of all things. He makes Himself known to us as Father, Son, and Spirit. (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
- We believe in Jesus Christ, who is both God and man. He became like us to show us what God is like and to teach us how we might have eternal life. (Matthew 1:20-25, 16:15-16; John 1:1-18)
- We believe in the Holy Spirit and that He is active in the world today. (John 14:15-18, 16:7-15; Romans 8:1-27)
- We believe the Bible is the Word of God and tells us all we need to know about how to have eternal life and how to live with integrity. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2Peter 1:20-21)
- We believe that we are all sinners by both nature and act and need God's forgiveness and cleansing. (Genesis 3; Romans 3:23, 5:12-14, 6:15-23)
- We believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross and that by trusting in His death and resurrection we can be restored to a right relationship with God. (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:14-17)
- We believe that God enables us to turn from sin, but that He does not force us to do so. (Genesis 2:16-17; John 1:12; Galatians 6:7-8)
- We believe that when we turn from sin and trust in Christ, we are forgiven for the acts of sin. (Isaiah 55:6-7; Acts 2:38)
- We believe that when we trust in Christ and are forgiven, we become part of the family of God. (Acts 13:39; Titus 3:4-7; Galatians 4:47)
- We believe that God's Spirit desires to cleanse His people from the nature of sin enabling them to live consistently above reproach. Our strength for living with integrity and love comes from His presence in us. (Matthew 3:11, 22:37-40; 1 John 4:1-18)
- We believe that God uses the Church to fulfill His plans for the world until Christ returns. (Matthew 28:1-20; Acts 2:37-41)
- We believe in baptism and urge people to be baptized to publicly affirm their faith. (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41)
- We believe in the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion). (Matthew 26:26-29)
- We believe God can heal and we pray for healing. We also believe that God can work through medical science. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; James 5:13-16)
- We believe that Jesus is coming again. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
- We believe that everyone will face the judgment of God with its rewards and punishments. (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15)