The Nazarene Faith
Our history is the history of the Nazarene faith – The original faith of the apostles, as registered in Acts. But, their origins came from a time registered on the Hebrew Scriptures and the prophesies of the coming Messiah.
The Nazarene faith is a subsection of Judaism. As such, the Torah influences our beliefs and our behaviors. We don’t follow the Torah to be saved. We follow the Torah because we love Yeshua. Salvation is through Yeshua alone.
“We have found this man a pest. He is an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the sect of the Natzratim.
Acts 24:5
The Branch
The reference to Yeshua of Nazareth, goes beyond the mere town of Nazareth. The reference had to do with the way he would be perceived, the way he would be educated and the way he would surpass expectations. The geography had little to do with the title “of Nazareth.” Instead, the prophetic importance Nazareth would resume to its meaning – The branch. The gospel of Matthew explains:
“and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”
Matthew 2:23
It’s important to understand the mention of the plural “prophets” on Matthew 2:23. This aludes to the fact that this quote represents a summary of the words spoken by several prophets. And it does..
The Nazareth Town and Its Reputation
The town of Nazareth was not famous for producing prophets or man of high esteem. Nazareth was a place where the humble people lived.
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
John 1:46
They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”
John 7:52
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
Isaiah 53:3
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Zechariah 9:9-10
The messianic title Nazarene was meant to be understood as the branch. These traditionalists were dependents of the vine they were attached to. As such, they followed the vine as prescribed by the vine. Like Samson, others called Nazirites were believing believers.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
By The Numbers
The gospels of Mark and Luke uses “Nazarene” 6 times and Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the Acts of the Apostles mention “Nazarean” 14 times.
Shalom!