Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why the name,
Nazarene?
A:
The denomination took the name from the home town of Jesus which
was not mentioned in the Old Testament. He was sometimes
referred to Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:45, 46). The term seems
to have been derogatory in that the town was a small unimportant
place. Paul is accused of being the ringleader of the Nazarene
sect (Acts 24:5).
According to the book, Welcome to the Church of the Nazarene
p. 24, Dr. Widney explained the name by saying, “The word ‘Nazarene’
depicts the toiling, lowly mission of Christ. It was this name
that was used in derision of Him by His enemies. It is this
name that links Him with the struggling, sorrowing heart of the
world. It is Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, to whom the world in
its misery and despair turns, that it may have hope.”