The Truth About The Salvation Army

Many may not be aware that Salvation Army isn't a Christian church, although it claims to be one.
It is not a legitimate church nor Christian b/c it doesn't have male only leadership nor baptisms nor the Lord's Table. Rather, it has women in leadership:

"It was not until 1860 that Catherine Booth first started to preach. One day in Gateshead Bethesda Chapel, a strange compulsion seized her and she felt she must rise and speak. Later she recalled how an inner voice taunted her: "You will look like a fool and have nothing to say". Catherine decided that this was the Devil's voice: "That's just the point," she retorted, "I have never yet been willing to be a fool for Christ. Now I will be one."

"Catherine's sermon was so impressive that William changed his mind about women's preachers. Catherine Booth soon developed a reputation as an outstanding speaker but many Christians were outraged by the idea. As Catherine pointed out at that time it was believed that a woman's place was in the home and "any respectable woman who raised her voice in public risked grave censure."

1Tim. 2: 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.

Titus 1 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife,

Jesus commanded for believers to participate in the Lord's Table and to be baptized as new Christians. To deliberately reject His commands is a denial of Him. Scripture however states:

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

The Salvation Army is ecumenical and inter-faith in nature. 2Cor. 6:14-18 talks about separation. Unity is based on biblical doctrinal Truth, which isn't optional.

It doesn't proclaim Christ Jesus alone for salvation by grace through faith alone; rather they teach one must keep one's self saved by works. This is a false gospel and denies the sufficiency of the solitary work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and His declaration, "It is finished!". Their covenant also requires a promise to give as much money as possible to this "church" even though it is not a legitimate church (see above).

"We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ." - Salvation Army Covenant


Scripture however, says that salvation and sanctification is by grace through faith. We are kept not by our works, but by Him who started our salvation:

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Heb 10:14 For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Heb 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,

Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith

3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph 2:10 For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Salvation by grace through faith, eternal security the same way, both done by way of Jesus Christ and HIS sufficient work, and to deny this is to deny the Gospel itself and HIS work on the cross and His resurrection.

In addition the Salvation Army doesn't use biblical titles or terms for leadership. Rather than pastors/elders and deacons, teachers,believers, brethern/children of God/sons, those in Christ, Christian, fellow slave/bond-servant, here are some of their terms that are deliberately military terms:

Adherent :A person who regards The Salvation Army as his/her spiritual home but has not made a commitment to soldiership. (More about becoming an adherent member.)Cadet :A Salvationist in training for officership.Chief of the Staff: The officer second in command of the Army throughout the world.
Corps :A Salvation Army unit established for the preaching of the gospel and service in the community.
Corps Cadet :A young Salvationist who undertakes a course of study and practical training in his or her corps, with a view to becoming efficient in Salvation Army service.
General :The officer elected to the supreme command of the Army throughout the world. All appointments are made, and all regulations issued, under the General’s authority (see under High Council).
Junior Soldier :A boy or girl who, having professed conversion and having signed the junior soldier’s promise, becomes a Salvationist.
Salvation:The work of grace which God accomplishes in a repentant person whose trust is in Christ as Saviour, forgiving sin, giving meaning and new direction to life, and strength to live as God desires. The deeper experience of this grace, known as holiness or sanctification, is the outcome of wholehearted commitment to God and enables the living of a Christlike life.
Self-Denial Appeal :An annual effort to raise funds for the Army’s worldwide operations; also known as the annual appeal in some countries.
Soldier :A converted person at least 14 years of age who has, with the approval of the census board, been enrolled as a member of The Salvation Army after signing the articles of war (soldier's covenant).