Basic question

[causalset]

Does the name Nazarene imply hebrew roots? I know there is a hebrew roots movement with that name but I also know that there are other churches that have that name which are not hebrew roots. So I was wondering what the name of this board is referring to.

I myself am hebrew roots. I was going to Messianic church because that was the only thing close to where I was. But I always wanted to explore other sects, such as Assembly of Yahweh and so forth. I don't subscribe to their exact theologies, I just think it is nice to explore hebrew roots movement beyond just messianic church; different flavors if you know what I mean.

Anyway I was asking whether this part of the message board pertains to Hebrew roots and, if so, what flavors does it contain?

[larry2]

Hi causalset, and welcome. Thanks for the question as it gives me the opportunity to also learn something in the process. I hope the following information is helpful in your study. In the article by Wikipedia, be sure to click on their bracketed numbers which will take you into deeper explanations.

Strong's - 3480 Nazwraiov Nazoraios nad-zo-rah'-yos

from 3478; TDNT-4:874,625; n pr m

AV-of Nazareth 13, Nazarene 2; 15

Nazarite="one separated"

1) an inhabitant of Nazareth
2) a title given to Jesus in the NT
3) a name given to Christians by the Jews, # Acts 24:5  "For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:"
  
The following link of Wikipedia seems to bring forth interesting information. Also look at its contents.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazarene_(title)

Nazareth
The traditional view is that this word is derived from the Hebrew word for Nazareth (Nazara) that was used in ancient times.[12] "Nazareth", in turn, may be derived from either na•tsar, נָצַר, meaning "to watch,"[13] or fromne•tser, נֵ֫צֶר, meaning branch.[14]

Other suggested roots
na•tsar (נָצַר, n-ts-r), pronounced naw•tsar', meaning "to watch, guard, keep".[24] This word also has a messianic association based on a passage in Jeremiah.[25]

[causalset]

I don't think what you wrote really answers my question. I mean a lot of denominations claim to be traced back to the original disciples of Jesus -- including Catholics and Orthodox. Debating whose claim is right and whose is not is altogether different topic for another thread. Right now I am asking something a lot more factual as to what doctrine do Nazarene's hold. In particular do Nazarenes observe saturday Sabbath and do they abstain from pork? Because the Nazarenes I am thinking of (the ones with slightly altered name "Netzarene" as well as "Nazarene Judaism" and other variations of the name) DO hold to such Jewish traditions. So basically all I am asking is whether the kind of Nazarenes you talk about do the same.

[p.rehbein]

I don't know if we have many/any? Nazarene brothers or sisters here now, and I don't pretend to be an expert on the history of their church, or the reason they chose the name.  What I can speak to is based on my having fellowshiped in a Nazarene church several different times.  Their beliefs are quite in line with most Protestant churches, with some variations.  I found that their teaching and the teaching of the Church of God Anderson, IN was very close, so close that I would quite happily attend a Nazarene church if there were no Church of God for me to attend.

To know about the Church of God, you can read of it on the Protestant Forum, and this might give you some insight into the teachings of the Nazarene church..............just a thought........

[DCR]

I think the "Nazarenes" this subforum refers to are the "Church of the Nazarene" denomination that goes by that name:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Nazarene.

causalset, I don't believe this particular group has the "Hebrew" or Messianic Jewish roots you're inquiring about.

They branched off from Wesleyan and/or Methodist churches in the 19th Century.

[Norton]

I don't know much about their doctrine, but do know that they started in Pilot Point, Texas, a small town less than a hundred miles from my home. If they started in Pilot Point, then they must be thoroughly "primitive" Protestant, not Jewish or Catholic.

[DaveW]

Does the name Nazarene imply hebrew roots?

No it does not.

The Church of the Nazarene (CoN) is an 1800s offshoot of the Methodist Episcopal church as started by the Wesley brothers. IT is doctrinally similar to other conservative Wesleyan groups such as the Wesleyan Methodists (now shortened to just Wesleyan) and the Free Methodists.

In fact the FM and CoN have had talks going back almost a century on joining together but have always bombed out on the issue of style of church government. Other than that issue, they are doctrinally identical.

[DaveW]

Perhaps you are referring to the group called 'Nazarene Judaism.' They come under the overall umbrella of Messianic Judaism but are very small and are pretty much considered a cult group.  They bear great resemblance to ultra-orthodox or chassidic Judaism.

They are NOT what this forum is about. 

[Truthlady5]

I don't think what you wrote really answers my question. I mean a lot of denominations claim to be traced back to the original disciples of Jesus -- including Catholics and Orthodox. Debating whose claim is right and whose is not is altogether different topic for another thread. Right now I am asking something a lot more factual as to what doctrine do Nazarene's hold. In particular do Nazarenes observe saturday Sabbath and do they abstain from pork? Because the Nazarenes I am thinking of (the ones with slightly altered name "Netzarene" as well as "Nazarene Judaism" and other variations of the name) DO hold to such Jewish traditions. So basically all I am asking is whether the kind of Nazarenes you talk about do the same.

Nazarenes observe Sunday Sabbath and they eat pork. Nazarene Church teaches the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  This thread is about a denomination I am thinking. And, Nazarene is a denomination. They believe in being born again like the bible teaches.  I have visited the Church and have concerned becoming a member. I also read over the doctrine book.

[soundthruJesus]

I don't think what you wrote really answers my question. I mean a lot of denominations claim to be traced back to the original disciples of Jesus -- including Catholics and Orthodox. Debating whose claim is right and whose is not is altogether different topic for another thread. Right now I am asking something a lot more factual as to what doctrine do Nazarene's hold. In particular do Nazarenes observe saturday Sabbath and do they abstain from pork? Because the Nazarenes I am thinking of (the ones with slightly altered name "Netzarene" as well as "Nazarene Judaism" and other variations of the name) DO hold to such Jewish traditions. So basically all I am asking is whether the kind of Nazarenes you talk about do the same.

causalset, I would consider looking at 1 Timothy 4:4-6 about the pork thing, as well as Galatians 2:11-16.