Perhaps you have heard that the Plymouth Nazarene started in a tent. The church exists to bring Jesus and the love of God to our community. We stand before a place that values service to God. It also serves the community and the world.
Plymouth Nazarene has been part of this community since 1933. Imagine the stories these walls could tell of faith and community. The church is not just a building. It is a body of Christ. It is the people who gather here.
Plymouth Nazarene adheres to specific beliefs. These beliefs shape its mission. They guide its actions. The church believes in one God. This God exists as the Father Son and Holy Spirit. They believe the Old and New Testament Scriptures contain all truth. This truth is necessary for Christian living.
The church recognizes that humans are born with a fallen nature. This nature makes them inclined to evil. They believe those who are not repentant are eternally lost. However the atonement through Jesus Christ is for everyone. Anyone who repents and believes in Jesus is saved. They are saved from the power of sin.
Plymouth Nazarene believes believers should be wholly sanctified. This happens after regeneration through faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit confirms the new birth and entire sanctification. The church anticipates the Lord’s return. They believe the dead will be raised. A final judgment will occur.
The Church of the Nazarene itself has a rich history. It is a product of mergers between various holiness churches. These mergers occurred throughout the 20th century. A key merger happened at the First and Second General Assemblies. These were in Chicago and Pilot Point Texas.
The name Nazarene comes from the biblical description of Jesus Christ. He grew up in Nazareth Israel. He was known as a Nazarene. The name focuses on Jesus as the Nazarene. Followers of Jesus were also called Nazarenes.
Originally the church ministered to the homeless and poor. It wanted to keep ministering to the lower classes of society. The term Pentecostal was initially part of the church’s name. However it became problematic. It was associated with charismatic gifts. Nazarenes did not practice or approve of these gifts. So the church removed Pentecostal from its name in 1919.
The Church of the Nazarene had a vision to be international. Expansion began in India in 1898. By 1908 there was work in Canada India and other countries. The church embraced new technologies. It started radio programs in multiple languages.
Plymouth Nazarene continues this tradition. It serves God and the world. It builds a close-knit family of support. People worship and serve the One who created them. Here the mission is clear. It makes Christ-like disciples.