By Steve A. Hamilton

2 John 9-11

Introduction: This is the time of year in which we see the bell ringers from the Salvation Army at nearly every popular retail business.  We are bombarded with their fund raising campaigns to help the poor.  The news media loves to relate stories of their charitable efforts during the Christmas season.

          But did you know that the Salvation Army is actually a religious organization?  Have you considered that financially supporting a religion shows your approval of that religion?  What do you really know about the Salvation Army? 

I. History

          A. William Booth founded the Salvation Army in 1865.  He was a Methodist preacher for 2 years before he left that denomination to evangelize the poor.  He started the East London Christian Mission which changed its name to the Salvation Army in 1878. 

          B. “According to its charter, issued in New York State in 1899, the Salvation Army is an organization “designed to operate as a religious and charitable corporation” whose paramount purpose “is to lead men and women into a proper relationship with God” (What is The Salvation Army? pp.8, 9).” [Alvin Jennings, Traditions of Men versus the Word of God, p. 147]

II. The Salvation Army Articles of Faith

          A. The Salvation Army’s official creed book is The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine.  In the preface it states, “These doctrines are to be taught in connection with all Salvation Army officers’ training operations, both preparatory and institutional.  It is required of officers of all ranks that their teaching, in public and private, shall conform to these eleven Articles of Faith.”

          B. Article #5 teaches the Calvinist doctrine of total depravity.  The “first parents” mentioned in the article is alluding to Adam and Eve.  Where it states “all men have become sinners,” they mean all men are born sinners.  As such we are totally depraved.

                   1. Sin is not inherited (Ezek. 18:20).

                   2. Jesus taught that we must become like children in order to be saved (Matt. 18:3; 19:14). If little children are totally depraved by sin, is Jesus teaching that we must be totally depraved by sin in order to enter His kingdom?

                   3. Since Jesus had a human mother, does that mean He was at least half depraved by sin?  Jesus knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21).

                   4.  The truth is all have sinned (Rom. 3:23).  Death follows those who sin (Rom. 6:23).  Not because Adam sinned but because I sinned (Rom. 5:12).  Notice this versus doesn’t say death spread to all men because Adam sinned!

          C. Article #7 teaches that salvation comes through repentance, faith and “regeneration by the Holy Spirit.”  According to The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine, this regeneration means a person “must receive a special “illumination of the Holy Spirit” so that he may personally know the Word is true” (Handbook, pp. 89, 133). [Alvin Jennings, Traditions of Men versus the Word of God, p. 149]

                   1. The gospel is the power of God to salvation (Rom. 1:16).  It doesn’t take a special illumination or regeneration to reveal that truth (Rom. 10:17). 

                   2. Wouldn’t this make God a respecter of persons if He illuminated some people while depriving others? (Rom. 2:11-13; Col. 3:25; 1 Pet. 1:17)

                   3. Did you notice what was conspicuously left out of Article 7?  They do not believe baptism is necessary for salvation.  In fact they reason that certain circumstances make baptism impractical so faith and repentance is all that is required (Handbook, pp.185-186).  However, a student of the Bible will note baptism is required for salvation (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27; 1Pet. 3:21). 

III. Other doctrines of the Salvation Army

          A. They exclude communion.  They teach ““against the danger of trusting to any external rite as though it has virtue in itself” (Handbook, p. 188)” [Alvin Jennings, Traditions of Men versus the Word of God, p. 150]  Jesus commands us to partake (1 Cor. 11:23-26)!

          B. They have women preachers.  Of course William Booth’s wife was a big advocate for female ministers.  Given the fact this church was preaching this false doctrine in the late 1800’s, it could be inferred they were one of the first to promote women usurping God’s commands for women in the church (1 Cor. 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:12-15).

          C. They have their own hierarchy with William Booth at the top.  The Lord’s Church looks nothing like the Salvation Army (Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23).  

Conclusion:  Christians should not support the Salvation Army.  Paul acknowledged that his financial support was equivalent to sharing in his labor (Phil. 4:15-16). I don’t deny that the Salvation Army does much good to help the social woes in the world. However, they are a religion and have been since their conception.  From every contribution a portion of the proceeds go to support their organization and false teachings (1 Tim. 5:22).

Last modified: 05/02/08