Adapted from Danny Pettus

Every year there are a lot of people who help support the Salvation Army, both as monetary contributors and as volunteers; i.e. “bell ringers,” not knowing it’s a religious denomination. Every Christian I know, who has given to this denomination in the past, has stopped helping as soon as they learned what they were supporting.

Why did they stop? Because the apostle John wrote, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2 John 10-11).

The Salvation Army is a denomination which split off from the Methodist Church in 1861. They preach their doctrines in 133 countries, and have 1.7 million members. Their denominational headquarters in the United States is in Verona, New Jersey. The organization runs charity shops, operates shelters for the homeless, and disaster relief and humanitarian aid to developing countries.

Notice carefully some of the many doctrines this denomination teaches. In doing so, you’ll be able to easily see why members of the Lord’s body can’t support this cause. Yes, they do a lot of good, but they also teach a lot of error to those they help.

This denomination teaches that men are born sinners. Article 5 of their creed book (Handbook of Doctrine) says all men are totally depraved, and have become sinners as a consequence of Adam and Eve’s fall. Page 83 states man’s a sinner by inheritance. Page 85 teaches man’s born a sinner.

The Bible teaches, “They have all turned aside” (Romans 3:12). God doesn’t say, “They have all turned out of the way.” Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

The Salvation Army teaches no one can understand the Bible without the direct help of the Holy Spirit (Handbook of Doctrine, pp. 2, 133-134). However, in no place does the Bible teach men must receive the direct help of the Holy Spirit in order to understand and know the truth.

The Salvation Army teaches those they help that salvation is at the point of faith. Their creed book devotes nine whole pages, trying to prove baptism isn’t essential to salvation (pp. 180-188).

Page 188 of their creed book teaches baptism and the Lord’s Supper shouldn’t be practiced at all today. Their members aren’t to speak against those religions which practice baptism and the Lord’s Supper — unless those religions teach these are essential.

But, of course, the Lord’s church does teach baptism is essential. Why? Because the Bible says, “Repent, and be baptized … for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Ananias proclaimed that it was the way our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16). We also teach the Lord’s Supper is essential for a Christian to observe. Why? Because Jesus said do it “in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). We show the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

The Salvation Army also teaches that a Christian can be sanctified, so as to never sin. Their creed says a sanctified Christian will be tempted, but as Jesus never sinned, so we’ll never sin. It says the sanctified Christian can be mistaken in judgment, but even that’s less likely to happen (pp. 145-165). In contrast, sanctification in the Bible means a Christian is set apart as holy to God. Never does it mean a Christian has reached the point of never sinning (I John 1:8-10). The church at Corinth was sanctified (I Corinthians 1:2). But if you read 1 Corinthians, you’ll find several sins committed by these sanctified Christians.

These are just a few of the many reasons why Christians shouldn’t support The Salvation Army. Be discerning as to how you live in this world.