| a.k.a. | | Calvinist |
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| Number of Members | 77,000,000[1] | 75,000,000 |
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| How does one get saved? | Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and be baptized. | Sola fide: Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection alone to save you. |
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| Who gets saved? | Those who God chooses to call will be saved and no one else. | Those who God chooses to call will be saved and no one else. |
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| Can one lose his salvation? | Yes, a Christian can lose his salvation by apostasy. | Eternal security: No, once a Christian is saved, he is always saved. |
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| Who gets baptized and why? | The unsaved, typically as infants, get baptized as the first sacrament of Christian initiation, cleansing them of all sins. | Saved people and their infant children get baptized as a sign of God's grace.[2] |
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| How should baptism be done? | Baptism should be by pouring water on the head. | Baptism can be by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling. |
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| When does one receive the Holy Spirit? | The Holy Spirit is received at the moment of salvation. | The Holy Spirit is received at the moment of salvation.[3] |
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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? | Bondage of the will: Human nature is corrupt, naturally inclined to evil, and incapable of choosing God on his own. | Total depravity: Human nature is corrupt, naturally inclined to evil, and incapable of choosing God on his own. |
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| Are we guilty of Adam's original sin? | Federalism: Yes, Adam represented all of the human race, and all are guilty of his sin. | Federalism: Yes, Adam represented all of the human race, and all are guilty of his sin. |
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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? | No, although Christians can and should sin less, they can never become sinless in this life. | No, although Christians can and should sin less, they can never become sinless in this life. |
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| Do the elements of communion become the body and blood of Christ? | Sacramental union: No, the elements do not become the body and blood of Christ, but Christ's body and blood are non-physically joined to the elements. | No, the elements do not become the body and blood of Christ, but Christ is present in an unknown way. |
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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.[4][5][6] | Once Christians leave their sinful bodies, nothing else is needed to receive glorified, sinless bodies.[7][8] |
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| Did Mary ever sin? | Most believe that, 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? | Most believe cessationism: Spiritual gifts used for serving are available today, while gifts used as signs have ceased.[9] | Cessationism: Spiritual gifts used for serving are available today, while gifts used as signs have ceased.[10] |
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| What framework has God used in dealing with man? | | Covenant theology: God acts either within the covenant of works or the covenant of grace.[11] |
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| What is the gift of tongues? | The gift of tongues is the ability to speak foreign human languages without knowing how.[12][13] | The gift of tongues is the ability to speak foreign human languages without knowing how.[14] |
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| What are the requirements for clergy? | Varies widely | Experienced men above reproach, faithful to their wives and with with obedient children if applicable, and able to teach are to be appointed as pastors. |
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| How many church ordinances/sacraments are there? | The church has two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. | The church has two ordinances: Baptism and Holy Communion. |
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| To whom do Christians need to confess their sins? | General sinfulness should be confessed to a priest. This is usually done as a group during a service. | 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? | Varies widely | Varies widely |
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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. | Prima scriptura: There are many sources of God's revelation, although none can contradict the Bible. |
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| How was the Bible written? | Varies widely[15][16] | Verbal plenary inspiration: The Bible was written by men who had every word supernaturaly inspired by God.[17] |
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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? | Varies widely[18][19] | Yes, the Bible was written without any error.[17] |
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| Who can speak with God's authority today? | The church as a whole speaks with God's authority at ecumenical councils.[20] | Nobody today can speak for God. |
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| How was the earth created? | Varies widely | Creationism: The earth was spoken into existence by God. |
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| What is marriage? | Varies widely[21][22][23] | Marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman.[24] |
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| Is sex permissible outside marriage? | No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.[25][26] | No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.[27][28] |
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| When is divorce permissible? | Divorce is permissible for adultery or desertion.[29][30] | Divorce is permissible for adultery or desertion.[31][32] |
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| May a Christian remarry while his former spouse is still alive? | The innocent party to the adultery may remarry. | The innocent party to the adultery may remarry.[33] |
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| When does a fetus become human? | Most have no established doctrine. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod believes life begins at conception.[34][35][36] | Humanity begins at conception.[37][38] |
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| Is contraception permissible? | Yes, contraceptives are permissible.[25][39] | Yes, contraceptives are permissible.[40] |
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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? | No, head coverings are no longer required due to cultural changes.[41][42][43] | |
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| Should Christians drink alcohol? | Yes, drinking alcohol is fine as long as one does not get drunk. | Varies widely |
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| Should Christians fight in wars? | Yes, Christians should fight in just wars.[44][45] | Yes, Christians should fight in just wars.[46] |
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| Whom does the Holy Spirit come from? | The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.[47][48] | The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.[49] |
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| Who can be demon-possessed? | | Demons can possess unbelievers but not Christians. |
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| Do icons glorify God? | | Most believe no, icons violate the Second Commandment against graven images. Icons of Christ are especially prohibited.[50][51][52] |
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| Where does a Christian's soul go after death? | Christians immediately go to heaven when they die.[4] | Christians immediately go to heaven when they die.[7][53] |
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