Prevenient grace and universal call

What it is: The Nazarene tradition teaches that the grace of God acts before conscious conversion, awakening, convincing, and making possible the human response to the gospel.

How the tradition understands it: This grace is not human merit, but divine initiative that prepares the sinner for repentance and faith.

Basis and context: The theme comes from the Wesleyan heritage and functions as basis for the missionary and evangelistic emphasis of the denomination.

Debates and variations: Concrete language can vary, but the universal call of grace remains central.

Supportive

Articles of Faith of the Church of the Nazarene

nazarene,articles-of-faith,confession,doctrine

Official doctrinal synthesis of the denomination.

Reference: Articles of Faith present in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.
Content: Summarize doctrines on God, Scripture, sin, salvation, sanctification, sacraments, church, and future hope.
Use in debate: The main confessional basis of the Nazarene tradition.

Ephesians 2:8-10

nazarene,bible,grace,discipleship

Salvation by grace oriented to good works.

Reference: Ephesians 2:8-10.
Content: The text articulates grace, faith, and life transformed in good works.
Use in debate: Important for salvation, discipleship, and practical holiness.

John Wesley, The Scripture Way of Salvation

nazarene,wesley,salvation,sanctification

Central Wesleyan sermon on salvation and sanctification.

Reference: John Wesley, sermon The Scripture Way of Salvation.
Content: Relates repentance, faith, justification, and sanctification in coherent spiritual sequence.
Use in debate: Important source for Nazarene theological heritage.