Who We Are

The Church of the Nazarene

The Nazarene church is a little “c” church in Christ’s worldwide and ageless big “C” Church.

The Nazarene denomination began officially in 1908, and was borne out of the holiness revivals held throughout our country in the nineteenth century.

Nazarenes today still emphasize the lifestyle of holiness. That’s another word that has meant many things to many people through the years, but what is meant by it? To be holy is simply to be set apart for something. Your toothbrush is set apart for you. Simple enough. Applied to people, this means that as a person we are set apart for God, and not for something else.   We were created to worship God, to love and be loved by God. The holy life is a life lived out of this love. It is a life of purity and power possible only by the power of a living God. There are many things we can seek in this life. We can search for money, power, recognition, practically anything. A life lived separated to God and His purpose is a life lived seeking God above all things. A life in which we realize that our greatest need, and our greatest love, is God.      

Marietta First is part of the Georgia District and International Church of the Nazarene. The Church of the Nazarene is a Protestant Christian church in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. Organized in 1908, the Church is now home to more than 2.6 million members worshipping in almost 31,000 local congregations in 165 world areas. For more information on the Georgia Nazarene District or the International Church of the Nazarene visit www.georgianazarenedistrict.org or www.nazarene.org.

What is a Nazarene?

  • Classical Christianity...

The religion of the New Testament and The Early Church.

  • Protestantism...

The Reformation doctrines, including the priesthood of all believers, the Bible as the rule of faith and practice, and salvation by grace alone through faith (not by good works). 

  • Arminian Thought...

Jesus made atonement for all. By free grace each person can choose God and good. Our choice makes a difference; we are not irrevocably predestined either to salvation or damnation. 

  • Wesleyan Practical Theology...

Adopting and adapting John Wesley’s system of doctrine and pastoral theology, Nazarene's continue to emphasize the Biblical teaching of living a holy life in our world and being set apart for God’s work. 

  • 1908: Pilot Point, Texas...

The vision for bringing the Church of the Nazarene together was centered in a movement with many leaders: Phineas F. Bresee, C.B. Jernigan, H.F. Reynolds, J.B. Chapman, C.W. Ruth and others. They purposefully targeted the needs of the common people with the message of hope and holiness.

A merger took place of several holiness groups to share resources and to present the gospel more effectively. Because Jesus was from Nazareth (a Nazarene), they took the name Nazarene as giving witness to being followers of Jesus Christ.

More about the International Church of the Nazarene