The Salvation Army vs. Church of Christ Beliefs

	The Salvation Army	Church of Christ
Number of Members	1,800,000	2,000,000
How does one get saved?	Sola fide: Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection alone to save you.	Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and be baptized.
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?	Baptism not practiced.^[1]	The believing but unsaved get baptized as part of their salvation.
How should baptism be done?	Baptism not practiced.^[1]	Baptism should be by immersion.
When does one receive the Holy Spirit?		The Holy Spirit is received at baptism.
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.^[2]	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.
What is the human nature?	Total depravity: Human nature is corrupt, naturally inclined to evil, and incapable of choosing God on his own.^[3]^[4]	Most believe human nature tends to sin, but it's not depraved.
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.^[4]	No, we are not guilty of Adam's sin, nor did we inherit a sinful nature from him, but we did inherit the consequences.^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]
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.
Do the elements of communion become the body and blood of Christ?	Communion not practiced.	No, the elements merely symbolically represent the body and blood of Christ.
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.^[9]	Once Christians leave their sinful bodies, nothing else is needed to receive glorified, sinless bodies.
Did Mary ever sin?	Yes, Mary sinned like all other humans except Jesus.	Yes, Mary sinned like all other humans except Jesus.
What spiritual gifts are available today?		Cessationism: Spiritual gifts used for serving are available today, while gifts used as signs have ceased.^[10]
How many church ordinances/sacraments are there?	Jesus is the only true Sacrament.^[11]	The church has two ordinances: Baptism and Holy Communion.^[12]
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.^[13]
How should a church be structured?	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.	Congregationalist: Every church congregation should be independent and governed by its members.
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.	Sola scriptura: The Bible is the only infallible source of God's revelation, sufficient for all faith and practice.
How was the Bible written?		Verbal plenary inspiration: The Bible was written by men who had every word supernaturaly inspired by God.
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?	Yes, the Bible was written without any error.^[14]	Yes, the Bible was written without any error.
Who can speak with God's authority today?		Nobody today can speak for God.
How was the earth created?		Creationism: The earth was spoken into existence by God.
What is marriage?	Marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman.	Marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman.^[15]^[16]
Is sex permissible outside marriage?	No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.	No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.^[17]^[18]
When is divorce permissible?		Most believe divorce is only permissible for adultery.^[19]^[20]
May a Christian remarry while his former spouse is still alive?	Yes, a Christian may freely remarry after divorce.
When does a fetus become human?	Humanity begins at fertilization.^[21]	Humanity begins at conception.
Is contraception permissible?	Yes, contraceptives are permissible as long as they work before fertilization.^[21]	Yes, contraceptives are permissible.
Are blood transfusions permissible?	Yes, blood transfusions are permissible.	Yes, blood transfusions are permissible.
Should women cover their heads?		Most believe no, women's long hair is enough of a covering.
Should Christians drink alcohol?	No, alcohol should be totally avoided.^[22]	Most believe no, alcohol should be totally avoided.
Should Christians fight in wars?	Varies widely^[23]
How should Christians musically worship God?		Worship should be a cappella.
Whom does the Holy Spirit come from?	The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.^[24]
Where does a Christian's soul go after death?	Christians immediately go to heaven when they die.^[9]	Christians immediately go to heaven when they die.