This is the time of year in which you see the Salvation Army bell ringers at almost every store looking for donations. The question is, “Should Christians support the Salvation Army?” Let us examine the teachings of the Salvation Army, and what the Bible teaches. Remember, teaching false doctrine is sin, and the Lord will punish those who do so (Gal. 1:8; 2; 2 John 9-11). The book of Jude tells us that God reserved the blackness of darkness, punishment of eternal fire for such false teachers.
The Salvation Army teaches that in consequence of our first parents' sin, we are born sinners, totally depraved, having inherited a disposition to self-pleasing (Handbook, pp. 85-86). Sin is not inherited, infants do not inherit the sins of their parents (Ezekiel 18:20), and little ones know neither good nor evil (Deuteronomy 1:39). Through growth children learn to choose between good and evil (Isaiah 7:15-16). God is the Father of our spirits (Hebrews 12:9), hence, when they come from Him (Ecclesiastes 12:7), they are as pure as the Source. In Matthew 18:3 the purity of little children is here revealed. Man begins to practice evil in his youth (Genesis 8:21). Jesus had a human mother, was he at least half depraved?
The Salvation Army doctrine contends that man has no way to be saved simply through the Gospel message of salvation; rather, he must receive a special illumination of the Holy Spirit, so that he may personally know the Word is true (Handbook, pp. 89, 133). This, of course, is in contradiction with Romans 1:16 which show that the Gospel is the power of God to save. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel”; why? “For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” James tells us, “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). “For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
The Salvation Army ministers no baptism. They assert that it is not necessary in order to receive salvation. They reason that there are climates and circumstances which would make immersion impractical, hence only repentance and faith are required (Handbook, pp. 185-186). But, Christ taught otherwise. He commanded that the Gospel be preached throughout the whole world and he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16). Peter having affirmed that salvation in the days of Noah was through water of the flood (1 Peter 3:20), now draws a comparison with the water of baptism (1 Peter 3:21). Salvation offered through water in the days of Noah is exactly parallel to salvation offered through water baptism. The Salvation Army has no authority to change this divine ordinance.
The Salvation Army makes no provision for the memorial of the Lord's Supper. Though Jesus plainly said of the memorial supper, “This do in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24), the Salvation Army excludes it, amazingly, that they might testify to themselves and others against the danger of trusting to any external rite as though it has virtue in itself (Handbook, p. 88). The Salvation Army testimony is that of unbelief!
The use of mechanical instrument music for Christian worship is not authorized by the New Testament. It is an addition to the specific New Testament command to sing (Ephesians 5:19), and it is well known that it was a human introduction of the seventh century A.D. But, music plays an important part in Salvation Army religious work . . . it is symbolic of the cheerful quality of Salvation Army religion (What is the Salvation Army?, p. 25). It is further symbolic of the Salvation Army's disregard of sacred truth! The New Testament specifically authorizes singing as an act of Christian worship (Colossians 3:16). The use of mechanical instruments in worship is unknown to the New Testament.
The Salvation Army also uses women preachers in its teaching system. Catherine Booth (the founder's wife) was a woman preacher who addressed great audiences. She wrote vigorous defense of female ministry. The Bible prohibits a woman functioning is such a capacity (1 Timothy 2:12 ff); she cannot be a public preacher to sexually integrated audiences. The woman is not to function in the teaching role so as to subordinate man; nor is she to dominate him. He is head; she is to be submissive (1 Corinthians 11:3; 14:34).
In the New Testament, the work of the church was supported strictly by free-will contributions from its members (Acts 11:29; 1 Corinthians 16:2). The Salvation Army is involved in various enterprises for the raising money, and, according to one of their book, must even look to the public for some of its financial support (Ibid. p.26).
The Salvation Army is a false religion. They do not follow God's Word, and no Christian should support this sect. We desire to call all accountable men, women, boys and girls back to the truth!