Ever since New Testament times, Christians have believed that God, through His son, Jesus Christ, is able to forgive sins and cleanse hearts from all unrighteousness. During the late 1800's the United States experienced spiritual revival through the preaching of such truths. One result was the formation of several independent congregations which merged together in 1908 to form the Church of the Nazarene. Since then, this protestant church has spread across the United States and around the world.