Number of Members | 350,000[1] | 2,000,000 |
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How does one get saved? | Sola fide: Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection alone to save you. | Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and be baptized. |
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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. | Anyone who chooses by his own free will to believe and accept God's gift of grace will be saved. |
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Can one lose his salvation? | Eternal security: No, once a Christian is saved, he is always saved. | Yes, a Christian can lose his salvation by apostasy. |
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Who gets baptized and why? | Saved people get baptized as a public demonstration of their new lives. | The believing but unsaved get baptized as part of their salvation. |
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How should baptism be done? | Baptism should be by immersion. | Baptism should be by immersion. |
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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 baptism. |
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What is the trinity? | Most believe 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? | Humans have a יֵצֶר הַרַע (yetzer hara)—an inclination to do evil—and, upon reaching 12 for girls and 13 for boys, develop a יֵצֶר הַטוֹב (yetzer hatov)—a weaker inclination to do good. | Most believe human nature tends to sin, but it's not depraved. |
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Are we guilty of Adam's original sin? | No, we are not guilty of Adam's sin, but we did inherit the consequences and a corrupt human nature from him, causing us all to 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.[2][3][4][5] |
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Are Christians required to keep the Old Testament ceremonial laws? | Yes, Messianic Jews should follow the Torah, although Gentile Christians are not required to. | 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. | |
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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. | No, the elements merely symbolically represent the body and blood of Christ. |
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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. | Once Christians leave their sinful bodies, nothing else is needed to receive glorified, sinless bodies. |
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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] |
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How many church ordinances/sacraments are there? | Messianic Jews should practice Immersion.[7][8][9][10][11] | The church has two ordinances: Baptism and Holy Communion.[12] |
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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.[13][14] | Confession should be made directly to God, but confession to another believer is beneficial for some sins.[15] |
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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? | Messianic Jews observe Shabbat on Saturday. | Christians worship on Sunday. |
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How does God's revelation come to us today? | Prima scriptura: There are many sources of God's revelation, although none can contradict the Bible.[16] | Sola scriptura: The Bible is the only infallible source of God's revelation, sufficient for all faith and practice. |
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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. |
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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. |
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What is marriage? | Marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman.[17] | Marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman.[18][19] |
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Is sex permissible outside marriage? | No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.[20] | No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.[21][22] |
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When is divorce permissible? | Divorce is permissible for adultery, abuse, or abandonment.[23] | Most believe divorce is only permissible for adultery.[24][25] |
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May a Christian remarry while his former spouse is still alive? | Yes, a Messianic Jew may freely remarry after a divorce which was for a valid reason.[23] | |
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When does a fetus become human? | Humanity begins at conception.[26][27] | Humanity begins at conception. |
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Is contraception permissible? | Yes, contraceptives are permissible as long as the couple eventually have at least two children.[28] | Yes, contraceptives are permissible. |
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Are blood transfusions permissible? | Yes, blood transfusions are permissible.[29][30] | Yes, blood transfusions are permissible. |
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Should women cover their heads? | Varies widely[31][32][33] | Most believe no, women's long hair is enough of a covering. |
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Should Christians drink alcohol? | Yes, drinking alcohol is fine as long as one does not get drunk.[34] | Most believe no, alcohol should be totally avoided. |
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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. |
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