🟦 CHURCH OF CHRIST (CoC)

General note:
Many in CoC believe salvation includes required steps (especially baptism) and that their church model is the only true pattern.

Salvation & Baptism

What they teach:
Baptism is required to complete salvation.

What the Bible teaches:
Salvation is by grace through faith. Baptism follows salvation as obedience.

Key verses:
Ephesians 2:8–9 • Romans 10:9–10 • Acts 16:30–31

Conversation tip:
Ask, “Is Christ alone enough to save you, or does something you do complete it?”

The “One True Church”

What they teach:
Only congregations named “Church of Christ” follow the true NT pattern.

What the Bible teaches:
The body of Christ includes all who are born again—regardless of the church name.

Key verses:
1 Corinthians 12:12–13 • Ephesians 4:4–6

A Cappella Only

What they teach:
Instruments in worship are unbiblical.

What the Bible teaches:
Worship focuses on heart and truth, not specific instruments.

Key verses:
Psalm 150 • Colossians 3:16

🟩 CATHOLICISM

General note:
Catholics affirm many Christian truths but add traditions and practices not found in Scripture.

Authority

What they teach:
Bible + Church Tradition + Magisterium = authority.

What the Bible teaches:
Scripture alone is the final standard.

Key verses:
2 Timothy 3:16–17 • Acts 17:11

Salvation

What they teach:
Faith + works + sacraments cooperate together for salvation.

What the Bible teaches:
We are justified by grace through faith apart from works.

Key verses:
Romans 4:4–5 • Galatians 2:16

Mary & the Saints

What they teach:
Prayers to Mary and saints; Mary seen as intercessor.

What the Bible teaches:
Jesus alone is Mediator; we pray directly to God through Him.

Key verses:
1 Timothy 2:5 • Hebrews 4:14–16

🟥 MORMONISM (LDS)

General note:
Uses Christian terms but teaches a completely different God, Jesus, gospel, and eternity.

God

What they teach:
God the Father was once a man who became a god.

What the Bible teaches:
God is eternal, unchanging, never a created being.

Key verses:
Psalm 90:2 • Malachi 3:6

Jesus

What they teach:
Jesus is one of many “spirit children” of Heavenly Father; spirit brother of Lucifer.

What the Bible teaches:
Jesus is the eternal God, Creator of all things.

Key verses:
John 1:1–3 • Colossians 1:16–17

Salvation

What they teach:
Faith + works + temple ordinances lead to exaltation (becoming a god).

What the Bible teaches:
Salvation is a free gift; humans never become gods.

Key verses:
Titus 3:5 • Isaiah 43:10

🟧 ISLAM

General note:
Respects Jesus as a prophet but denies His deity, death on the cross, and resurrection.

Jesus

What they teach:
Jesus (Isa) was a prophet but not God, did not die on the cross.

What the Bible teaches:
Jesus is the eternal Son of God who died and rose again.

Key verses:
John 1:1–14 • John 20:28 • 1 Corinthians 15:3–4

Salvation

What they teach:
Good deeds weighed against bad. No assurance.

What the Bible teaches:
No one is saved by works; salvation is by faith in Christ alone.

Key verses:
Romans 3:23–24 • Ephesians 2:8–9

🟪 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS (SDA)

General note:
Many SDA believers are genuine Christians, but official doctrines add extra-biblical teachings and prophetic authority to Ellen G. White.

The Sabbath

What they teach:
Saturday Sabbath is binding on Christians.

What the Bible teaches:
Christ fulfilled the Law; believers worship on any day with freedom.

Key verses:
Romans 14:5–6 • Colossians 2:16–17

Investigative Judgment

What they teach:
Jesus began judging believers’ works in 1844 as part of salvation.

What the Bible teaches:
Jesus finished atonement on the cross; believers are fully forgiven at salvation.

Key verses:
Hebrews 10:12–14 • John 19:30

Ellen G. White

What they teach:
Her writings have prophetic authority.

What the Bible teaches:
Scripture alone is inspired and authoritative.

Key verses:
2 Timothy 3:16

🟫 NEW AGE / SPIRITUALISM

General note:
New Age blends Eastern religion, mysticism, energy beliefs, and “self-divinity.”

God

What they teach:
God is a universal energy; everything is divine.

What the Bible teaches:
God is personal, Creator, distinct from His creation.

Key verses:
Genesis 1:1 • Isaiah 45:5

Humanity

What they teach:
People are inherently divine and need awakening.

What the Bible teaches:
We are created beings who need salvation, not self-realization.

Key verses:
Romans 3:23 • Isaiah 43:7

Truth & Salvation

What they teach:
Truth is subjective; many paths lead to enlightenment.

What the Bible teaches:
Jesus is the only way to God.

Key verses:
John 14:6 • Acts 4:12