Church of the Nazarene vs. Anglican

[Michael Wrenn]

This is a purely personal thread, but I would like to get some thoughts and opinions, precisely because of the diversity of people on this forum.

If there were only two churches within driving distance of your home, which of these two would you choose to attend and why: a Church of the Nazarene, or a break-away Anglican Church?

I'm very interested in feedback on this, and I hope Baptists and non-Baptists will respond.

 

[The Biblicist]

This is a purely personal thread, but I would like to get some thoughts and opinions, precisely because of the diversity of people on this forum.

If there were only two churches within driving distance of your home, which of these two would you choose to attend and why: a Church of the Nazarene, or a break-away Anglican Church?

I'm very interested in feedback on this, and I hope Baptists and non-Baptists will respond.

Neither one!

 

[Michael Wrenn]

Neither one!

Would you have Sunday worship in your home then? Would you try to organize a Baptist church?

 

[padredurand]

This is a purely personal thread, but I would like to get some thoughts and opinions, precisely because of the diversity of people on this forum.

If there were only two churches within driving distance of your home, which of these two would you choose to attend and why: a Church of the Nazarene, or a break-away Anglican Church?

I'm very interested in feedback on this, and I hope Baptists and non-Baptists will respond.

I was an intentional interim for a year in the CotN. Congregations vary but you can count on a strong emphasis on Entire Sanctification and Holiness. Here is a link to CotN Articles of Faith. You'll find folks that think you're going to Hell because you looked at a magazine cover in the grocery store checkout line so don't expect to hear much about OSAS.

 

[Salty]

Neither one!

And why not?


For myself, I would probably attend the CoN, but would not join - and in the meantime I would try to start a Bible Study in my home with expectation of starting a Baptist church.

Though out of courtesy, I would share my vision with the pastor and ask for his prayers.

 

[glfredrick]

Would you have Sunday worship in your home then? Would you try to organize a Baptist church?

Yes, I would.

 

[drfuss]

I was an intentional interim for a year in the CotN. Congregations vary but you can count on a strong emphasis on Entire Sanctification and Holiness. Here is a link to CotN Articles of Faith. You'll find folks that think you're going to Hell because you looked at a magazine cover in the grocery store checkout line so don't expect to hear much about OSAS.

From the Articles of Faith:
Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by grace through faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.

This experience is also known by various terms representing its different phase“the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirits, such as “Christian perfection,” “perfect love,” “heart purity,” “the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit,” “the fullness of the blessing,” and “Christian holiness.”


Does "the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit" include speaking in tongues? I was of the impression that CotN was not pentecostal.

My brother attended a CotN church and he did not relate to me any
"you're going to Hell because you looked at a magazine cover in the grocery store checkout line" problems. I suppose this varies in the CotN churches from church to church. He was happy with the CotN church he attended; he left to become an acting pastor in a church of another denomination.

 

[The Biblicist]

Would you have Sunday worship in your home then? Would you try to organize a Baptist church?

I would have worship in my own home until we moved to a place where a New Testament congregation existed or ask a New Testament congregation to start a mission work where I live.

 

[The Biblicist]

And why not?

You cannot habitually meet with a congregation without bonding with them. I would not subject my wife and children to any kind of bonding relationship with false teachers and false doctrine.

 

[menageriekeeper]

Both stand on their individual congregations. With the die-hard Baptists here it might be hard to get a better opinion than your own. Go visit!

The Anglican breakaway (where is the regular Episcopal Church? Usually where you find a breakaway you'll find an "original") is going to be high church in nature complete with liturgy and ending with communion.

The Nazarene church may not be all that different from your Baptist church experience. BUT, there are varieties of Nazarenes just like their are varieties of Baptist. In my town there is a larger Nazarene congregation that my Baptist church cooperates with quite often (we've held singings with our combined choirs, Thanksgiving services, etc) and they are very similar in practice and belief to us. But just down the block is another Nazarene congregation and they are VERY conservative/legalistic with longhair, skirt wearing women and suit and tie men.

So the best way to tell which would suit you best is to go! (and don't listen to these guys that tell you to "sacrifice the gas money" and drive farther simply because a Baptist church isn't available. I believe in worshipping in one's own community.)

 

[The Biblicist]

Both stand on their individual congregations. With the die-hard Baptists here it might be hard to get a better opinion than your own. Go visit!

The Anglican breakaway (where is the regular Episcopal Church? Usually where you find a breakaway you'll find an "original") is going to be high church in nature complete with liturgy and ending with communion.

The Nazarene church may not be all that different from your Baptist church experience. BUT, there are varieties of Nazarenes just like their are varieties of Baptist. In my town there is a larger Nazarene congregation that my Baptist church cooperates with quite often (we've held singings with our combined choirs, Thanksgiving services, etc) and they are very similar in practice and belief to us. But just down the block is another Nazarene congregation and they are VERY conservative/legalistic with longhair, skirt wearing women and suit and tie men.

So the best way to tell which would suit you best is to go! (and don't listen to these guys that tell you to "sacrifice the gas money" and drive farther simply because a Baptist church isn't available. I believe in worshipping in one's own community.)

Like many of you I have not always been a Baptist. I have attended Pentecostal churches, Roman Catholic, Nazerine, Methodist, Christian, etc. I have attended Jehovah's Witness Bible studies. I have attended a great variety of Baptist denominations (ABA, NABA, SBC, GRABC, CBC, BBF, Independent, etc.).

I lived for years next door to a Nazerine. My uncle was a Nazerine Pastor. Most of my family are Pentecostals (Assembly of God, Four Square, etc.).

So, when I say I would go to neither that is not said from an experiential vacuum but from first hand experience.

 

[DaChaser1]

Yes, I would.

Isn't it that the Anglicans have a conservative/liberal wing, represented by say JI Packer and the arch bishop of Cantebury?

 

[DaChaser1]

Like many of you I have not always been a Baptist. I have attended Pentecostal churches, Roman Catholic, Nazerine, Methodist, Christian, etc. I have attended Jehovah's Witness Bible studies. I have attended a great variety of Baptist denominations (ABA, NABA, SBC, GRABC, CBC, BBF, Independent, etc.).

I lived for years next door to a Nazerine. My uncle was a Nazerine Pastor. Most of my family are Pentecostals (Assembly of God, Four Square, etc.).

So, when I say I would go to neither that is not said from an experiential vacuum but from first hand experience.

Would have problems attending either one, due to the nazerines having the Arminian version of the Gospel, while the Anglicans are into infant baptisism and Covenant theology/reformed...

IF pressed and had to choose...

Go conservative Anglican, type of JI packer would hold to....

 

[The Biblicist]

Would have problems attending either one, due to the nazerines having the Arminian version of the Gospel, while the Anglicans are into infant baptisism and Covenant theology/reformed...

IF pressed and had to choose...

Go conservative Anglican, type of JI packer would hold to....

Nazerines will accept any kind of baptism and almost accept any person believing any kind of doctrine.

Anglican's may have some aspects of salvation better than the Nazerines but they invalidate it by they way they practice the ordinances. Anglican's are just more Catholicized than Presbyterians - a matter of degree but not of kind.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

So the best way to tell which would suit you best is to go! (and don't listen to these guys that tell you to "sacrifice the gas money" and drive farther simply because a Baptist church isn't available. I believe in worshipping in one's own community.)

Wow.... Ive got a guy in New Jersey who told me just that.....that to follow my convictions in doctrine that Ive got to drive an hour to go to church. That is just pure BS. Listen, take a queue from the Catholics & build more churches. Its not to say I agree with the RC on much but I have a church down the block another about 10 minutes drive & another 3 within 15 minutes away. something is wrong when you cant build churches in every town in America....church is on the wane in afraid.

 

[DaChaser1]

Nazerines will accept any kind of baptism and almost accept any person believing any kind of doctrine.

Anglican's may have some aspects of salvation better than the Nazerines but they invalidate it by they way they practice the ordinances. Anglican's are just more Catholicized than Presbyterians - a matter of degree but not of kind.

Interesting...

Choice made between those holding to ordinances practicing, that tends to deny the Gospel be really effectual in full, and those who hold one can lose salvation, also in sense denying full effiency of the Gospel!

 

[The Biblicist]

Interesting...

Choice made between those holding to ordinances practicing, that tends to deny the Gospel be really effectual in full, and those who hold one can lose salvation, also in sense denying full effiency of the Gospel!

It is not a choice, but a rejection of both. Only pointed out some distinctions

 

[glfredrick]

Isn't it that the Anglicans have a conservative/liberal wing, represented by say JI Packer and the arch bishop of Cantebury?

They do, and I greatly respect J. I. Packer. He is a great scholar (not that my respect means that we agree theologically on every jot and tittle).

But, I prefer a congregation that is formed as close as possible to the Scriptures, and I find that in the baptistic groups -- and most particularly in the Baptists.

 

[Michael Wrenn]

I am very familiar with both groups. I grew up Southern Baptist, but I have been a member of the Episcopal Church and the United Methodists. I have attended church with the Quakers, Presbyterians, Charismatics, Assembly of God, Church of God of Prophecy, Church of the Nazarene, and others.

I actually like liturgy and the Book of Common Prayer; lot of beautiful religious literature in the BCP, and lots of scripture -- except the EC doesn't believe much of it.

In the Nazarene church, Thomas Oord, theologian and professor, has made an effort to define love as the core notion of holiness and entire sanctification. I can accept this much better than seeing it as a complete cleansing from original sin. I have read his book, Relational Holiness, co-authored with Michael Lodahl, which addresses this.

 

[mont974x4]

I was a Nazarene pastor and my degree is a Nazarene school. I would choose neither. The disagreements are not small and they do concern essential issues.

I would talk to the area or state SBC association and see if you can get help on a church plant in your area.