The Mesoamerican Region of the Church of the Nazarene: Its conformed by Mexico, Central America, Panama, the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, Belize and the Guianas in South America. There is undoubtedly that there is a very rich variety of culture in all the countries of the region, that if we look for differences we are going to find a lot for example, how we dress, language, food, races, customs, environment, political and government systems, religions, climate, socio-economic level.
As a denomination, the Church of the Nazarene, from the beginning of his organization, considered necessary to establish “Principles of Faith” based entirely on the Scriptures and constantly reviewed in the General Assemblies.
One Body: in Article XI says as follows: We believe in the church, the community that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, the covenant people of God made new in Christ, the Body of Christ together by the Holy Spirit through the Word. God calls the Church to express its life in the unity and fellowship of the Spirit; in worship through the preaching of the Word, observance of the sacraments, and ministry in His name; by obedience to Christ and mutual accountability.
The Church’s mission in the world is to continue the redemptive work of Christ in the power of the Spirit through the Holy Life, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Service.
One Spirit: this statement identifies with our Article III we believe in the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Trinity. But we also believe in the Holy Spirit as our comforter Paraclete, the teacher who guides us to all truth, the giver of ministry gifts and fruit in the believer’s life, which empowers us to live godly lives before God and be able to witnesses of Jesus Christ.
One Hope: in this statement we can group the articles of faith, XV the Second Coming of Christ and the resurrection XVI, trial and destination. “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain”. (1st Corinthians 15:14).
One Lord: This statement falls within Article No. II Jesus Christ, whom once we surrender our lives to His Lordship, constitutes as our Lord and Saviour.
One Faith: This statement we can group all the works and means of grace that we can experience in our lives through Faith. Because without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) and these articles are:
- Article V. Sin, Original and Personal.
- Article VI. Atonement.
- Article VII. Prevenient Grace
- Article VIII. Repentance
- Article IX. Justification.
- Article X. Christian Holiness and.
- Entire Sanctification.
- Article XIII. The Lord’s Supper.
- Article XV. Second Coming of Christ.
Baptism: Faith Article no. XII, as a symbol of the new covenant, and also as Sacramento ordained by Jesus Christ, but also confirms us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ according to the book of Acts CA.2 verses 41 and 42 which literally says: “So those who received his word were baptized …”
So, that water baptism is our personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ and our identification with Him in His death, burial and resurrection.
One God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all and in all. We believe in the triune God.
And we believe in the Scriptures article IV reveal God’s will for our lives, especially the desire for all to be saved.
The Mesoamerica Region: has a wealth regarding ministerial gifts and talents spread across all members that can be combined to make the most for the growth of the Kingdom of God.
Conclusion:
In this unit, all national, racial, social and cultural distinctions are removed, so that we are one in Christ Jesus “There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. (Galatians 3:28)
The Will of God that every believer, without exception, regardless of age, gender, status or position within the church, “come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of his son, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the fullness of Christ, so that we are not children … but that we grow up in all … to go edifying in love, “united by sound doctrine declared in 16 articles of faith with Jesus Christ as the Head of the village called “Church of the Nazarene “.
Written by: Pbro. Israel Acosta Acebedo.
Area Coordinator CA-4, Mesoamerica Region.
Edition: Yanina Gálvez.