More than any other denomination, the Salvation Army personalizes Yahushua’s words recorded in Matthew 25:40: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My little ones, ye have done it unto Me.” Indeed, the very name, “Salvation Army,” is so synonymous with charity, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, that many are surprised to learn it is, in fact, a church.
Soldiers (members) of the Salvation Army are deeply committed to ministering to others as Yahushua did, by meeting their physical needs while teaching them the truths of salvation. Nevertheless, not all of their doctrines are free from error. Following is a list of the beliefs held by Soldiers that conflict with Scripture.
- In common with the majority of Christianity, Soldiers of the Salvation Army have fallen for the deception of a triune godhead. Although their stated beliefs acknowledge, “there is only one God,” this Scriptural truth is entwined with the pagan doctrine of a three-in-one godhead. The New Testament writers were united in their rejection of a trinity: “There is none other Theos [God/El] but one. For though there be that are called theos [gods/elohim], whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one Theos, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Master Yahushua the Annointed, by whom are all things, and we by Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:4b-6) The Bible makes plain that Yahushua, while born of a virgin, is a human being - not a diety.
- The final doctrine among the stated beliefs of the Salvation Army says: “We believe in the immortality of the soul.” Scripture teaches that immortality, natural and underived, is the prerogative of Yahuwah alone: Yahuwah “is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting.” (1 Timothy 6:15-16)
Immortality is a gift given the overcomers: “For Yahuwah 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) The belief in an immortal soul contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture: “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6)
- Soldiers believe that the punishment for the wicked is “endless punishment.” Eternal hell conflicts with the Scriptures which teach that death, rather than eternal life in torment, is the reward of the wicked: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Yahuwah is eternal life through Yahushua our Master.” (Romans 6:23)
- The Salvation Army believes that the redeemed will inherit Heaven. Scripture, however, teaches the immortality in the earth made new is the reward of the saints.
- The Salvation Army convenes for worship on Sunday, the first day of the week, rather than the seventh day Sabbath as taught in Scripture. The desire to honor the day on which Yahushua was resurrected is based on the assumption that the modern week of Sunday through Saturday is identical to the Biblical week. A careful study of Scripture and history, however, reveals this assumption to be false. Only worship on the seventh day Sabbath [lunar Sabbath], calculated by the luni-solar calendar of Creation, is consistent with the divine law.
- Soldiers do an especially good work gathering money for the poor at Christmas. The tinkling of bells with their red collection pots are synonymous with the Christmas season in many countries. The observation of Christmas and Easter, however, dishonors Yahuwah, for it comes from paganism. Lent, likewise, is contrary to Scripture, which condemns this pagan practice that originated as weeping for Tammuz.
