01.10. Explenation

10 EXPLANATION The following material is on the card referred to earlier in the book and which I prepared for publication in 1926.

Brief Statement of Belief and Excerpts From the General Rules BRIEF STATEMENT OF BELIEF

We believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; we especially emphasize the deity of Jesus Christ and the personality of the Holy Spirit; that man is born in sin; that he needs the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration; that after the work of regeneration, there is the further work of heart cleansing, or entire sanctification, which is effected by the Holy Ghost. And to each of these works of grace the Holy Spirit gives witness. We believe in eternal desting with its rewards and punishments. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, the second coming of Christ, the Bible doctrine of divine healing, and the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. EXCERPTS FROM GENERAL RULES

It is required of all who desire to unite with the Church of the Nazarene that they shall show evidence of their salvation from sin by a godly walk; that they shall earnestly desire to be cleansed from all indwelling sin, and shall evidence this by avoiding evil of every kind, such as -Profanity; Sabbath desecration; the use of intoxicating liquors or tobacco, or the trafficking therein; quarreling; spreading surmises injurious to the good name of others; dishonesty; indulgence of pride in dress or behavior; "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning... of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart" (1 Peter 3:1-22).

Such songs, literature, and entertainments as are not to the glory of God; the theater, the ballroom, the circus, and like places; games of chance; membership in or fellowship with oath-bound secret orders or fraternities.

We hold that persons who have been divorced by civil law, where scriptural grounds for divorce (namely, adultery) did not exist, and have subsequently remarried, are not eligible to membership in the church.

We expect those who unite with us to be in harmony with our doctrines, to attend faithfully the means of grace, and contribute to the support of the church according to the ability which God giveth.

If after reading this statement of belief, and general rules, you desire to unite with the church, kindly sign your name and address on other side and HAND TO THE PASTOR, who will confer with you. The above card is intended to encourage and inform prospective members. In addition there is available the card folder entitled CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

Application for Membership This is to be used when persons have decided in favor of church membership. They use this card folder to make application.