|
|
Salvation Army, What Is It? Introduction: This time of the year you go to Wal Mart, Sams, Target, etc. and there will be a person ringing a bell. A red kettle will be there for donations. Who am I talking about? Obviously, the Salvation Army. This is an organization many have donated to but know very little about. They have been able to project or market themselves as a benevolent organization doing lots of good works. But what are they doing? What kind of an organization this the Salvation Army? What do they believe and teach? I) History and Organization of the Salvation Army A) Founder -- William Booth 1. Born in Nottingham, England in 1829. 2. Became a member of the Methodist Church shortly after his birth 3. 1844 he had a "conversion experience" 4. 1862 left the Methodist to evangelize among the poor 5. 1865 started the East London Christian Mission a. Booth's first works involved helping women get out of prostitution in East London. b. Even today the Salvation Army works in many countries dealing with human trafficking. 6. Became the "Salvation Army" in 1878. a. Booth reasoned that it was "just as valid to build an army of crusaders to save souls as it has been to send armies to recover a sepulcher." Taken from Should Christians Support the Salvation Army? B) Organization 1. International Organization with its headquarters in London, England. a. Headed by the "General" b. The General operates through a "Chief of Staff" 2. United States organization a. National Commander with headquarters in New York b. Four Territories: i. Eastern Territory with headquarters in New York ii. Central Territory with headquarters in Chicago iii. Southern Territory with headquarters in Atlanta iv. Western Territory with headquarters in San Francisco 3. "The Salvation Army in the United States is divided into four territories... Each territorial commander operates under the general policies laid down by International Headquarters in London. National policy is established by the Commissioners' Conference, over which the National Commander presides. Thus, while the local leadership adjust to meet the conditions in each community, all officers are subject to the same broad, overall policies." Leadership Shine, page 34. C) Organizational of personal 1. The local platoon with attempts to enlist converts 2. Those converts who desire to become "soldiers" are required to sign Article of War 3. Solders can become officers (preachers or ministers) such at commissioned officers (ordained ministers), lieutenant, captain, and major. 4. The basic unit of the army is the corps (local congregation) commanded by an officer of rank from lieutenant to brigadier. 5. The corps answers to divisional headquarters which answers to the territorial offices. II) Size And Works of The Salvation Army A) International organization 1. All of the following information comes off their web site and published in their 2009 Financial Summary 2. 2009 the Army spent $3.12 billion 3. Eight-two cents of every dollar spent, or $2.54 billion, went toward program services. 4. "Total public support-- both operating and non-operating-- was $1.66 billion, change from $1.76 billion in 2008. It comprised $848 million of general contributions, $287million of legacies and bequests, $448 million of gifts in kind, and $81 million of allocations from local United Way and similar funding organizations." page 2. 5. "Fees and grants were given to The Salvation Army from various government agencies totaling $92 million for 2009, up from $366 million in prior year." 6. Kettle donations were $139 million in 2009. 7. In 2009 the Salvation Army claimed to have helped nearly 30 million Americans in need. B) Programs and services 1. "Doing the Most Good." In these four words, our mission -- to feed, to clothe, to comfort, to care." About the Salvation Army, page 1. 2. The Salvation Army operates 7,821 centers in communities across the United States. 3. The following are listed: food distribution, disaster relief, rehabilitation centers, anti-human trafficking efforts, job training programs, community gardens, and a wealth of children's programs (Family stores, Boys/Girl Clubs, Child Day Care Centers). 4. Under Services one will find the following listed: Meals Served, Lodgings Supplied, Welfare Orders (Cash Grants), tangible items (clothes, furniture, gifts). III) Doctrines and Beliefs A) The Salvation Army is a religious organization 1. According to its charter issued in 1899 in New York State, 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). 2. "The Salvation Army is an evangelical arm of the universal Christian Church. Our message is based on the Bible, and our ministry is motivated by the love of God. We preach the Gospel of Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination." (About the Salvation Army, page 1, from their web site). 3. In July 9, 1993, an article in the Birmingham News, titled "Salvation Army Eyes Change in Militarism" stated that several members wanted to start calling their officers "pastors" instead of lieutenants, captains, and majors" because they want the public to be aware that the Salvation Army is a church. B) Creed book is "The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine" and the following quotes comes from the "General Order" with prefaces the book. 1. "This volume contains an exposition of the principles Doctrines of the Salvation Army as set forth in its Deed Poll of 1878" 2. "These doctrines are to be taught in connection with all Salvation Army Officer's 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." C) Fundamental Doctrinal Beliefs 1. Hereditary Total Depravity -- we are born sinners, totally depraved, having inherited a disposition to self pleasing (Handbook, pp. 85-86). The Bible refutes such doctrine: Deut. 1.39; Ezekiel 18.20. 2. Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit a. "The Bible is not safely used without reference to the general understanding of the Christian community throughout history, any more than it is understood without the help of the Spirit" (Salvation Story: Salvationist Handbook of Doctrine, 1998 edition, page 7) b. People came to understanding without receiving the Holy Spirit, Acts 8.12, 14-16 3. Denial of the necessity of Baptism: due to climates and circumstances which would make immersion impractical, so only repentance and faith are necessary. Contradicts: Mark 16.15-16; Acts 2.38 4. The Lord's Supper Excluded: "so that they might testify to themselves and others against the danger of trusting to any external rite as though it has a virtue in itself" (Handbook, p. 188). Contradicts: 1 Cor. 11.24; Matthew 26 5. Instrumental music in worship: 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). 6. Women preachers, contrary to 1 Tim. 2.12ff 7. Unscriptural financing: looks to donations from the public, government programs, grants, etc Conclusion: We are told to not fellowship the unfruitful works of darkness, Ephesians 5.11; to separate ourselves from false teachers, 1 Timothy 6.3-5; and to not help those who are teaching error, 2 John 9-11. Matthew 15.13 every false religion will be condemned on the Day of Judgment. We need to make sure what we believe, what we practice is in the Bible. The structure of the Salvation Army is foreign to the Bible; the doctrine of the Army is not found in the Word of God; and the work of the Army is not that given to the New Testament church.
|