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NASB | Ephesians 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. |
Subject: Who constitutes the church? |
Bible Note: Dear Val, Reciting the Lord's prayer has to do with practice. The salvific security of the believer has to do with doctrine, specifically relating to God's sovereignty and grace, as well as the nature of salvation. The Church of the Nazarene, has its roots in the Holiness movement, which had roots in the Wesleyan tradition, which had roots in Arminianism, which had roots in Semi-Pelegianism. Perhaps my experience is limited, but I've never found any of them to be very big on maintaining their historic, theological roots. Still, they hold pretty tenaciously to a synergistic soteriology and to a teaching of personal perfectionism. Beyond that, they appear to be about as "across the board" as many of my fellow Southern Baptists. They have a statement of faith of sorts, though, so you can read what they say of their doctrinal position: http://www.nazarene.org/ministries/gensec/ArticlesofFaith/display.aspx I would agree that the issues you mention do, indeed, fall into the category of essential doctrines. What you will want to do is find a church body to which you are able to commit yourself from a faith and practice standpoint, and one which will commit themselves to your growth in Christ-likeness. Of course, it helps when the church actually states what they believe, and it helps if the prospective member actually understands the issues. :-) At any rate, church membership is an extremely important question for anyone who seeks to be a disciple of Christ. (Indeed, there are some aspects of obedience that are impossible without a local congregation!) Therefore, we will be praying for you in your search for a congregation that holds firmly to the essential doctrines of Christian orthodoxy, and applies them in a consistently God exalting fashion. In Him, Doc |