Salvation by grace; temple ordinances not required; broad ecumenical approach
Community of Christ affirms salvation by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Unlike the Utah LDS Church, Community of Christ does not teach that celestial exaltation through temple ordinances is necessary for salvation. The denomination's movement toward mainline Protestantism has brought it closer to standard Protestant soteriology: grace-based, faith-centered, with good works as the fruit of salvation.
Community of Christ's Enduring Principles emphasize God's grace as the basis of salvation and the transforming power of Christ's atonement, without the hierarchical, multi-tier afterlife of LDS theology. The church's ecumenical orientation means that doctrinal barriers to recognizing other Christians as saved have been largely removed.
Key Distinctions
- Justification means:
- grace through faith; increasingly aligned with mainstream Protestant soteriology
- Election type:
- Arminian-leaning; free will; moving away from distinctly LDS frameworks
- Baptismal regeneration:
- baptism by immersion required; age of accountability (8 years)
- Eternal security:
- can fall away — ongoing discipleship required
Scripture References
Sources
- Community of Christ Basic Beliefs
- Community of Christ Enduring Principles
- Doctrine and Covenants (Community of Christ version)