| a.k.a. | | |
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| Number of Members | 39,000,000 | 80,000,000[1][2] |
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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. | 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. | 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 and their infant children get baptized as a sign of God's grace.[3] | Saved people and their infant children get baptized by as the first sacrament of Christian initiation, cleansing them of all sins. |
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| How should baptism be done? | Baptism should be by sprinkling water on the head. | Baptism should be by sprinkling water on the head. |
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| When does one receive the Holy Spirit? | The Holy Spirit is received at the moment of salvation.[4] | The Holy Spirit is received at the moment of salvation. |
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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? | 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. |
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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. | 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. |
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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. | Yes, Christians can become evangelically perfect through sanctification. |
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| 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. | 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.[5][6] | Once Christians leave their sinful bodies, nothing else is needed to receive glorified, sinless bodies.[7] |
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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.[4] | |
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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.[8] | Covenant theology: God acts either within the covenant of works or the covenant of grace. |
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| What are the requirements for clergy? | | Varies widely |
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| How many church ordinances/sacraments are there? | The church has two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.[9] | The church has two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.[10] |
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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. | 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. |
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| How should a church be structured? | Presbyterian: Churches should be governed by its own elders, who in turn are governed by a presbytery comprising the elders from the region, which is governed by a general assembly of commissioners from each presbytery. | Connectionalism: Churches are governed by conferences of representatives. How respresentatives and pastors are chosen 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? | 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. |
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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[11] | No, the Bible is not inerrant in any respect.[12] |
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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? | Varies widely[13][14] | Generally that the earth was formed by gravity pulling dust together, which ultimately came from the Big Bang.[15] |
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| What is marriage? | Varies widely[16][17][18] | Varies widely[19][20][21][22] |
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| Is sex permissible outside marriage? | Varies widely[23][18] | Varies widely[19][20][21][22] |
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| When is divorce permissible? | Divorce is permissible for adultery or desertion.[24] | Varies widely[25][26] |
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| May a Christian remarry while his former spouse is still alive? | The innocent party to the adultery may remarry.[27] | Varies widely[25][26] |
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| When does a fetus become human? | Most believe humanity begins at conception. Some say it is unknown when humanity begins.[28][29][30] | No established doctrine[31][32] |
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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? | | No, head coverings are no longer required due to cultural changes.[33] |
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| Should Christians drink alcohol? | Yes, drinking alcohol is fine as long as one does not get drunk.[34] | Most believe that yes, drinking alcohol is fine as long as one does not get drunk.[35][36] |
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| Should Christians fight in wars? | Yes, Christians should fight in just wars.[37] | Most believe that no, Christians should never fight.[38][39] |
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| How should Christians musically worship God? | Any style of worship music is acceptable.[40] | |
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| Whom does the Holy Spirit come from? | The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.[41][42] | The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.[43] |
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| Do icons glorify God? | Varies widely[44][45][46][47] | |
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| Where does a Christian's soul go after death? | Christians immediately go to heaven when they die.[6] | No established doctrine[48] |
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