My writing in blue.
Click onto ‘about us’ on the Salvation Army website, and you will see a link to its ecumenical work. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ as your personal saviour, who took away your sins through his finished work on the cross, this should raise alarm bells.
Ecumenism or the interfaith movement is an attempt to get all ‘Christian’ denominations and organised religious under one world religion. The movement is antichrist, because it denies Christ’s work on the cross. If good works could save us, as the interfaith movement teaches then Jesus would never have had to come to earth to die on that cruel cross. It is the ultimate deception and is making the way for the antichrist to lead the one world religion or united religions.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error – 1 John 4:16
Only one man saved us through His obedience, and His name is Christ Jesus.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me – John 14:6
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; – 1 Timothy 2:5
Before I delve into ecumenism, let’s see what they teach on the gospel for salvation. Under its ‘mission, vision and values’
Our International Mission:
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church.
Our message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by the love of God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.
I’m not sure what gospel the Salvation Army teaches, but the Holy Bible says that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Salvation is a gift of God, entirely free of any human merit. Jesus saves us.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast – Ephesians 2:8-9
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord – Romans 6:23
Jesus Christ came into this world to die for sinners, of which we all are, if we are honest with our state.
for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; – Romans 3:23
We are to repent and believe the gospel.
and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel – Mark 1:15
Repentance in the New Testament is a change of mind. Ye is plural and means all, so this is a message for all people to change their mind and believe the gospel.
What do we need to rethink or change our mind about? God’s will and His plan of salvation through the work of Jesus Christ. He is the sinless lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world – John 1:29
Jesus died for all people, but those who receive his gift through belief in Him receive remission of sin.
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins – Acts 10:43
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life – John 3:16
Notice that both John the Baptist and Jesus told the Pharisees to repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Both John and Jesus were telling these zealous persons to change their mind and stop trusting in their works because it couldn’t save them. They needed saving from sin.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe – John 1:7
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? – John 3:12
We need to be perfect to go to heaven, and nobody is because we have a debt on our necks called sin. We are all tainted with sin, and to deny that we have no sin is prideful, and a rejection of Christ who had no sin, yet became sin for us.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God – John 3:18
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him – 2 Corinthians 5:21
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin – 1 John 3:5
Our Mission in the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland
Called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland exists to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity.
The Salvation Army cannot save souls. God saves souls though the finished work of Christ Jesus. Salvation is entirely of God through the work of Jesus Christ, because He is the sinless lamb. We are tainted by sin and works do not perfect us or take away sin.
Discipleship or sanctification comes after we are saved (born again with the gift of the Holy Spirit through belief in Christ), and there are plenty of scriptures that exhort us to serve God, but even if we have no works to please God in this lifetime, we are still saved and sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise – Ephesians 1:13
If works were necessary for salvation, as the Salvation Army erroneously teach, why was the thief on the cross saved moments before he died beside Christ.
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise – Luke 23:41-43
The thief saw his condition – his need for a saviour in Christ Jesus, and this was repentance in action. When we trust that Christ died for our sins, we have repented. We stop trusting in ourselves in believing that we have a part in salvation (as Hollywood teaches) and trust in Christ as saviour. He is the only one who can save us.
Our Vision
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we will be a Spirit-filled, radical, growing movement, with a burning desire to lead people into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, actively serve the community, and fight for social justice.
The Salvation Army have yet to give the good news of Christ and His finished work that saves sinners. It is all good to encourage people to live for Christ, but people must become born again first into the family of God. We become born again by trusting that Christ died for our sin, then we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is our saviour. He is risen. The sin debt is paid.
12 but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God – Hebrews 10:12
Our Values
Our identity and God-given mission as disciples of Jesus Christ are shaped by the values of the Kingdom of God. We love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and we love our neighbour as Ourselves.
No one possibly can fulfil this commandment, if we are honest with our nature, and toward God. Attitudes like this can only lead to self-righteousness and a condemning of others who may be at different stages in their faith. We are sinners. Only Jesus Christ was obedient unto the Father unto death. The sin flesh remains when we are born again. However, we go to heaven because we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of God.
We have Integrity in everything we do, being reliable, trustworthy, transparent and honest in our personal and business relationships.
We are Accountable to God in every area of our lives and to others in all our dealings.
Yes, we are all accountable to God for the word that we speak, especially when it comes to the gospel. Souls are at stake.
We have Compassion for all people.
Then share the good news of Christ, and do not give a gospel of grace plus works, which is a lifetime of bondage and bad news, and an accursed gospel.
We are Passionate about unconditionally demonstrating God’s love to everyone.
God wants everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; – 1 Timothy 2:3-5
We have Respect for people and planet, seeing the God-given potential in every person and being stewards of the environment.
We are Bold in proclaiming the gospel in everything that we do and in fighting for social justice.
The Salvation Army Doctrines
The Salvation Army is a Christian organisation and part of the universal Christian Church. Its message and the lifestyle it advocates are based on the Bible’s teaching. Its work is to make known the good news about Jesus Christ and to persuade people to become his followers.
Not everyone may become a follower of Christ, or a disciple. The Corinth Church were carnal believers, and Paul repeatedly exhorted them to grow in grace, but the choice was ultimately down to each of them personally. However, they believed on Christ and were saved. Salvation is entirely separate from discipleship and must remain so. To add works to the grace of God is to teach an accursed gospel.
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.
We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.
We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.
We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.
We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.
Why does the Salvation Army not say whosoever believeth may be saved. Belief on Christ is important. The word believe occurs in the Gospel of John 85 times.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life – John 3:16
We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.
Repentance toward God is a change of mind toward His gift given through the work of Jesus Christ. However, regeneration by the Holy Spirit seals us unto the day of redemption. By the Holy Spirit, we are born again into God’s kingdom, and this nature cannot sin. However, our sin nature will remain until we die or are raptured prior to the tribulation period.
We have the free will to serve God or not serve God. It is our reasonable service to serve God out of love for what He has done for us, as we will earn rewards in heaven and grow in fellowship with Him so that we bear fruits for His glory, but works are not a requirement for salvation. The Salvation Army teaches an accursed works gospel. Be warned.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed – Galatians 1:6-9
We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
The witness is the Holy Spirit, sealed in the believer forever.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance – Romans 11:29
We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xoI3Pn10lI&w=560&h=315]
Remember, it is Christ’s faithful obedience toward Father God that saves sinners, and not our obedience, which will always come short of the perfection God requires. The Salvation Army are frontloading the gospel with works in saying that salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ. When we trust in Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, and the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Again, they are adding works unto the grace of God as a requirement for salvation, when only belief in Jesus Christ is required for eternal life.
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous – Romans 5:19
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption – Ephesians 4:30
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast – Ephesians 2:8-9
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance – Romans 11:29
We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is Christ’s finished work that saves us. We are saved by grace – unmerited kindness that God gives to those who put their trust in Christ. We have no part in salvation. It is entirely of God. Jesus completed the work that the Father gave Him to do. He offered Himself up for sin.
who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself – Hebrews 7:27
for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself – Hebrews 9:26
but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; – Hebrews 10:12
We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.
At the end of the day, are the Salvation Army trusting in their good works to get them to heaven, or the finished work of Christ. Since they teach an accursed gospel for salvation by adding works, these are the false prophets that Christ teaches in Matthew 7 – ye will know them by their fruits. Their fruits (doctrines) do not save souls because they add unto the finished work of Christ, or perhaps they have no understanding of what an amazing work Jesus has done to redeem us to Almighty God.
Salvation Army Ecumenical Work
As part of the universal Christian Church, The Salvation Army values its relationships with other churches and welcomes the opportunity to worship, work and witness together. We are also committed to interfaith engagement.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3 – The Bible)
Jesus said that His word would divide, not cause peace and justice, as their newsletter teaches. Sinners needs saving through Jesus Christ. People need to repent and believe the gospel…urgently.
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword – Matthew 10:34
The sword is the word of God.
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: – Luke 12:51
Only Jesus brings peace, but He tells us that we will have tribulation. Those who speak in truth will always face persecution because the truth divides. We have the blessed hope in Him.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world – John 16:33
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love – Ephesians 4:1-16
The Salvation Army use a scripture like Ephesians 4:3, and yet if you continue to read the scriptures in context, it says that there is one body, one spirit, one lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Interfaith is an attempt to get all religions in unity, but it is a denial of the Holy Bible and God’s gift of grace through Christ, and instead man’s philosophy because this way it does not offend other faiths and instead brings about peace. It speaks very little of sin (if any) and the work of Jesus Christ in redeeming sinners to God the Father. It is a dangerous antichrist movement that is setting the stage for the coming antichrist who will be head of the one world religion.
Jesus offended when He walked this earth, and believers are to give the truth, in love, because souls are at stake. Jesus told us that the way is strait and narrow, because He is the strait gate and the narrow way. Faith in Him saves, and no other way as ‘spiritual’ as these theological experts state.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it – Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus tells us that strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. The few are those who are trusting in Christ alone, apart from religion or works. Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and Jesus says that many there be which go in thereat. Many is a lot of people compared to few who find life.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly – John 10:7-10
This was just one of the things written in the interfaith papers. Sin is excluded so as not to offend others.
Did not Mahatma Gandhi say that even if someone were to come and prove that the man Jesus never existed he would not be upset because the Sermon on the Mount would still be true? As one can see, dialogue calls for reconstructing our idea of incarnation.
Jesus does exist because He is our risen saviour, who died for the sins of this world. The Sermon on the Mount is a work, and without the gift of the Holy Spirit through Christ’s finished work, Gandhi is believing in a work, which will never save a sinner from the penalty of sin, which is death. Gandhi is just an idol for people to worship. He trusted in His works, just like Mother Theresa trusted in Her works and never gave the gospel of Christ to those innocent children and families she served. She was Roman Catholic and obedient to the pope and its religion. Jesus Christ is not religion.
As pious as this interfaith or ecumenical movement attempts to be, if it is not proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and His finished work to save sinners from the wages of sin, it is nothing of hope in this diseased world. What people need is real hope, and the only peace and joy comes through the saving work of Jesus Christ. Works cannot save and will never save, and it is sad that there are so many religions who truly believe that they can save themselves through good works. It is a lie of the devil.
As a born again believer, who has trusted Christ as saviour, I must share the gospel.
- Sin separates us from God (Genesis 3).
- The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
- To go to heaven, we must be perfect, and none of us are (Matthew 5:48).
- God loves us (John 3:16), but He hates our sin (Psalm 5:4).
- God came in the flesh as Jesus Christ (John 10:30), obeyed the law perfectly (Romans 5:19), and died that cruel death on the cross for the sins of every human being who will ever live on this earth (1 John 2:2).
- Jesus, who is God Almighty in the flesh, resurrected His body and ascended into Heaven offering his sacrifice for sin forever (Hebrews 10:12).
- The will of God is for us to believe on His son, Jesus Christ, who paid for all sin (John 6:40).
- Jesus’ shed blood gives us the remission of sin (Romans 3:25, Hebrews 10:18).
- Although God has died for all sin, God chooses to save only those who trust in His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ (John 6:47).
Do you believe that He paid for your sin debt? Will you trust Him today for eternal life? Contrary to popular belief by false teachers who teach that a believer can lose their salvation because of willful sin etc, this is incorrect. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance Greek 278
ametamelétos: not repented of — Romans 11:29
Original Word: ἀμεταμέλητος, ον
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: ametamelétos
Phonetic Spelling: (am-et-am-el’-ay-tos)
Definition: not repented of
Usage: not to be repented of, about which no change of mind can take place, not affected by a change of mind.
God bless.
