a.k.a. | | Friend |
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Number of Members | 2,000,000 | 400,000 |
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How does one get saved? | Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and be baptized. | Varies widely |
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Who gets saved? | Anyone who chooses by his own free will to believe and accept God's gift of grace will be saved. | No established doctrine |
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Can one lose his salvation? | Yes, a Christian can lose his salvation by apostasy. | Yes, a Christian can lose his salvation by apostasy. |
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Who gets baptized and why? | The believing but unsaved get baptized as part of their salvation. | Baptism not practiced. |
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How should baptism be done? | Baptism should be by immersion. | Baptism not practiced. |
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When does one receive the Holy Spirit? | The Holy Spirit is received at baptism. | There is "that of God in everyone". |
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What is the trinity? | The Trinity is God existing as one god in three equal, eternal, cosubstantial persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. | The Trinity is God existing as one god in three equal, eternal, cosubstantial persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. |
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What is the human nature? | Most believe human nature tends to sin, but it's not depraved. | There is "that of God in everyone", making humans inherently good. |
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Are we guilty of Adam's original sin? | No, we are not guilty of Adam's sin, nor did we inherit a sinful nature from him, but we did inherit the consequences.[1][2][3][4] | No established doctrine |
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Are Christians required to keep the Old Testament ceremonial laws? | No, the ceremonial laws of Judaism were fulfilled and done away with by Jesus. | No, the ceremonial laws of Judaism were fulfilled and done away with by Jesus. |
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Can Christians become sinless in this earthly life? | | Christian perfection is possible and a major goal of Quakers. |
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Do the elements of communion become the body and blood of Christ? | No, the elements merely symbolically represent the body and blood of Christ. | Communion not practiced. |
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Can one be baptized of behalf of someone who has died? | No, the dead cannot be baptized. | No, the dead cannot be baptized. |
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What happens if a saved person dies without being perfect? | Once Christians leave their sinful bodies, nothing else is needed to receive glorified, sinless bodies. | Perfection must take place during life, not after death.[5] |
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Did Mary ever sin? | Yes, Mary sinned like all other humans except Jesus. | Yes, Mary sinned like all other humans except Jesus. |
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What spiritual gifts are available today? | Cessationism: Spiritual gifts used for serving are available today, while gifts used as signs have ceased.[6] | Continuationism: All spiritual gifts are still available to believers. |
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How many church ordinances/sacraments are there? | The church has two ordinances: Baptism and Holy Communion.[7] | The church does not have any ordinances more sacred than any other practice.[8] |
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To whom do Christians need to confess their sins? | Confession should be made directly to God, but confession to another believer is beneficial for some sins.[9] | Confession should be made directly to God, but confession to another believer is beneficial for some sins. |
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How should a church be structured? | Congregationalist: Every church congregation should be independent and governed by its members. | Congregationalist: Every church congregation should be independent and governed by its members. |
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What day of the week should Christians worship? | Christians worship on Sunday. | Christians worship on Sunday. |
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How does God's revelation come to us today? | Sola scriptura: The Bible is the only infallible source of God's revelation, sufficient for all faith and practice. | Varies widely[10] |
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How was the Bible written? | Verbal plenary inspiration: The Bible was written by men who had every word supernaturaly inspired by God. | |
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How many books are in the Bible? | There are 66 canonical books of the Bible: 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books. | There are 66 canonical books of the Bible: 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books. |
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Was the Bible written inerrantly? | Yes, the Bible was written without any error. | Varies widely[11] |
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Who can speak with God's authority today? | Nobody today can speak for God. | |
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How was the earth created? | Creationism: The earth was spoken into existence by God. | The earth was formed by gravity pulling dust together, which ultimately came from the Big Bang. |
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What is marriage? | Marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman.[12][13] | Varies widely |
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Is sex permissible outside marriage? | No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.[14][15] | Varies widely |
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When is divorce permissible? | Most believe divorce is only permissible for adultery.[16][17] | |
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When does a fetus become human? | Humanity begins at conception. | Most believe humanity begins sometime between conception and birth.[18] |
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Is contraception permissible? | Yes, contraceptives are permissible. | Yes, contraceptives are permissible. |
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Are blood transfusions permissible? | Yes, blood transfusions are permissible. | Yes, blood transfusions are permissible. |
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Should women cover their heads? | Most believe no, women's long hair is enough of a covering. | |
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Should Christians drink alcohol? | Most believe no, alcohol should be totally avoided. | No, alcohol should be totally avoided.[19][20] |
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Should Christians fight in wars? | | No, Christians should never fight.[21][22] |
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How should Christians musically worship God? | Worship should be a cappella. | |
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Where does a Christian's soul go after death? | Christians immediately go to heaven when they die. | No established doctrine |
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