What is the nazarene religion?

Answer 1

A Nazarene is what Jesus was, because he was from Nazareth. It is also any person who is from or lives in the City of Nazareth. Or it also refers to someone who attends or is a member of the Church of the Nazarene. In history, it could also refer to a member of a sect of Jewish-Christians who retained many Jewish Customs. It was used as a name for Christians before they were called Christians.

Answer 2

In the very early days of Christianity, there was considerable diversity among Christians. Even Paul talked of people worshipping a "different Christ" - not just a "different Christianity". Apart from the Nazarenes, there were several denominations of Gnostics, Marcionites and the group that later became dominant and is now known as the Catholic Orthodox Church. However, there is very little now known about the beliefs of most of the early Christian sects.

Answer 3

A Nazarene is someone from the town of Nazareth (Jesus). Likewise, a Galilean would be someone from the town of Galilee. Not to be confused with a Nazarite, which would be a member of a class of individuals especially devoted to God.

Answer 4

In the few years after Jesus' death, all of the followers of Jesus consisted of his disciples and other Jewish converts (from mainstream Judaism). Not until Paul arrived on the scene (circa 34 A.D.) did Gentiles (non-Jews) enter the Jewish Jesus sect. Eventually, in about 49 A.D., Paul convinced both Peter and James (the brother of Jesus) to allow Gentiles to enter the Jesus sect without having to follow Jewish laws and customs (especially circumcision - see Galatians, ch. 2).