Methodist vs. The Salvation Army Beliefs
The Salvation Army is a denomination of Christianity derived from Methodism. Its theology is still largely the same as traditional Methodism. The main differences are just the Salvation Army's unique pseudo-military structure, its primary focus on charity and evangelizing the poor, and its non-practice of Baptism and Communion.
Belief Table
Methodist | The Salvation Army | |
---|---|---|
a.k.a. |
| |
Number of Members | 80,000,000[1][2] | 1,800,000 |
How does one get saved? | Sola fide: Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection alone to save you. | Sola fide: Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection alone to save you. |
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. |
Can one lose his salvation? | Yes, a Christian can lose his salvation by apostasy. | Yes, a Christian can lose his salvation by apostasy. |
Who gets baptized and why? | Saved people and their infant children get baptized by as the first sacrament of Christian initiation, cleansing them of all sins. | Baptism not practiced.[3] |
How should baptism be done? | Baptism should be by sprinkling water on the head. | Baptism not practiced.[3] |
When does one receive the Holy Spirit? | The Holy Spirit is received at the moment of salvation. | |
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.[4] |
What is the human nature? | Total depravity: 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.[5][6] |
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, but we did inherit the consequences and a corrupt human nature from him, causing us all to sin.[6] |
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. |
Can Christians become sinless in this earthly life? | Yes, Christians can become evangelically perfect through sanctification. | |
Do the elements of communion become the body and blood of Christ? | No, the elements do not become the body and blood of Christ, but Christ is present in an unknown way. | Communion not practiced. |
Can one be baptized of behalf of someone who has died? | No, the dead cannot be baptized. | No, the dead cannot be baptized. |
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.[7] | Once Christians leave their sinful bodies, nothing else is needed to receive glorified, sinless bodies.[8] |
Did Mary ever sin? | Yes, Mary sinned like all other humans except Jesus. | Yes, Mary sinned like all other humans except Jesus. |
What framework has God used in dealing with man? | Covenant theology: God acts either within the covenant of works or the covenant of grace. | |
What are the requirements for clergy? | Varies widely | |
How many church ordinances/sacraments are there? | The church has two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.[9] | Jesus is the only true Sacrament.[10] |
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. A general confession of sinfulness 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. |
How should a church be structured? | Connectionalism: Churches are governed by conferences of representatives. How respresentatives and pastors are chosen varies widely. | Corps should be governed by an officer, appointed by and governed by higher and higher officers in the hierarchy until reaching the General of The Salvation Army. |
What day of the week should Christians worship? | Christians worship on Sunday. | Christians worship on Sunday. |
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. | Prima scriptura: There are many sources of God's revelation, although none can contradict the Bible. |
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. |
Was the Bible written inerrantly? | No, the Bible is not inerrant in any respect.[11] | Yes, the Bible was written without any error.[12] |
How was the earth created? | Generally that the earth was formed by gravity pulling dust together, which ultimately came from the Big Bang.[13] | |
What is marriage? | Varies widely[14][15][16][17] | Marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman. |
Is sex permissible outside marriage? | Varies widely[14][15][16][17] | No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible. |
When is divorce permissible? | Varies widely[18][19] | |
May a Christian remarry while his former spouse is still alive? | Varies widely[18][19] | Yes, a Christian may freely remarry after divorce. |
When does a fetus become human? | No established doctrine[20][21] | Humanity begins at fertilization.[22] |
Is contraception permissible? | Yes, contraceptives are permissible. | Yes, contraceptives are permissible as long as they work before fertilization.[22] |
Are blood transfusions permissible? | Yes, blood transfusions are permissible. | Yes, blood transfusions are permissible. |
Should women cover their heads? | No, head coverings are no longer required due to cultural changes.[23] | |
Should Christians drink alcohol? | Most believe that yes, drinking alcohol is fine as long as one does not get drunk.[24][25] | No, alcohol should be totally avoided.[26] |
Should Christians fight in wars? | Most believe that no, Christians should never fight.[27][28] | Varies widely[29] |
Whom does the Holy Spirit come from? | The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.[30] | The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.[31] |
Where does a Christian's soul go after death? | No established doctrine[32] | Christians immediately go to heaven when they die.[8] |