this sounds like ''rituals'' to me. i don't really get why you have to call baptism a ritual and then refer to at as if is something that doesn't matter anymore but i think your church takes pretty serious the uniform. a little contradiction?
enlight me please.
The military metaphor of the Army has a long history in Christianity which sees the Church engaged in spiritual warfare. It was used in both the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible and many Christian writings and hymns use military imagery.
The Army uses military features such as uniforms, flags and ranks to identify, inspire and regulate its activities.
Booth's wife Catherine put it like this:
"Soldiers of Christ must be abandoned to the war. They must be thoroughly committed to God's side; there can be no neutrals in this warfare.
When the soldier enlists and takes the Queen's shilling, he ceases to be his own property, becoming the property of his country, going where he is sent, standing at any post to which he is assigned, even if it be at the cannon's mouth. He gives up the ways and comforts of civilians and goes forth with his life in his hand, in obedience to the will of his sovereign.
If I understand it, that is just what Jesus Christ demands of every one of his soldiers, and nothing less".
Catherine Booth
Sacraments
Unlike other Christian churches the Salvation Army does not recognise any sacraments, such as baptism or communion, as essential.
The Army does not teach that sacraments are wrong, but it believes that they are unnecessary, and may be unhelpful to some.
Early Salvationists were concerned that many Christians had become too attached to rituals as outward signs of spiritual grace. The Salvation Army places the emphasis on personal faith and on a spiritual relationship with God which doesn't depend on anything external.
Modern day Salvationists avoid sacraments for the following reasons:
- The most a sacrament can be is a symbol
- Meaningful symbols can very easily become meaningless rituals
- Sacraments can't change the heart and life of a person - that can only happen through faith in Jesus Christ
- Jesus did not intend to create any sacramental ceremonies and there is little or nothing in the Bible to support sacraments
- Sacraments have proved divisive in Christian history
- Sacraments are an element of Christianity that may obstruct the conversion of those who have abandoned more formal churches
If You want more info on the history of the Salvation Army Check this out.
The Salvation Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hope this helps
Paul