a.k.a. | Chinese Patriotic | Friend |
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Number of Members | 20,000,000[1] | 400,000 |
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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.[2] | Varies widely |
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Who gets saved? | | No established doctrine |
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Can one lose his salvation? | | 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.[3][4] | Baptism not practiced. |
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How should baptism be done? | Baptism should be by sprinkling or immersion.[3] | Baptism not practiced. |
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When does one receive the Holy Spirit? | | There is "that of God in everyone". |
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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.[5] | 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? | | There is "that of God in everyone", making humans inherently good. |
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Are we guilty of Adam's original sin? | | No established doctrine |
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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? | | Christian perfection is possible and a major goal of Quakers. |
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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.[3] | Communion not practiced. |
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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? | | Perfection must take place during life, not after death.[6] |
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Did Mary ever sin? | | Yes, Mary sinned like all other humans except Jesus. |
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What spiritual gifts are available today? | | Continuationism: All spiritual gifts are still available to believers. |
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How many church ordinances/sacraments are there? | The church has two ordinances: Baptism and Holy Communion.[3] | The church does not have any ordinances more sacred than any other practice.[7] |
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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.[2] | 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? | Every church congregation should be governed by its members and the Chinese Communist Party. | Congregationalist: Every church congregation should be independent and governed by its members. |
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What day of the week should Christians worship? | Christians worship on Sunday.[8] | 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.[9] | Varies widely[10] |
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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.[9] | 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] |
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How was the earth created? | | The earth was formed by gravity pulling dust together, which ultimately came from the Big Bang. |
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What is marriage? | Marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman.[12] | Varies widely |
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Is sex permissible outside marriage? | No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.[12] | Varies widely |
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When does a fetus become human? | | Most believe humanity begins sometime between conception and birth.[13] |
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Is contraception 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 Christians drink alcohol? | | No, alcohol should be totally avoided.[14][15] |
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Should Christians fight in wars? | Yes, Christians should fight in just wars. | No, Christians should never fight.[16][17] |
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Where does a Christian's soul go after death? | | No established doctrine |
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