Salvation
SoteriologyHow humans are saved — whether by faith alone, by faith and works, through sacraments, or by other means. Includes the role of grace, predestination, and human free will.
Key scriptures: Ephesians 2:8-9, James 2:24, Romans 3:28, Philippians 2:12
Catholic (5)
Eastern Catholic (Byzantine Rite)
Nuanced
Salvation as theosis; grace and free will cooperate synergistically
Maronite Catholic
Nuanced
Salvation through grace and sacraments; theosis and Latin atonement models combined
Old Catholic Church
Nuanced
Grace and sacramental participation; justification by faith; no sola fide
Roman Catholic
Nuanced
Salvation by grace through faith and works; sacraments are necessary means
Saint Thomas Christians (Syro-Malabar Church)
Nuanced
Sacramental justification through faith, baptism, and ongoing grace; not sola fide
Orthodox (5)
Assyrian Church of the East
Nuanced
Sacramental participation in divine life; baptism, Eucharist, and faith together
Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
Nuanced
Salvation as healing and theosis through the Church and sacramental life
Eastern Orthodox
Nuanced
Salvation as theosis: deification through union with Christ in the Church
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Nuanced
Salvation through theosis, fasting, repentance, and sacramental participation
Oriental Orthodox (Miaphysite)
Nuanced
Salvation as theosis and healing of human nature through union with Christ
Mainline Protestant (8)
Anglican / Episcopalian
Nuanced
Justification by faith affirmed; sacraments also convey saving grace
Calvinist / Reformed
Affirms
Salvation entirely by God's sovereign grace; TULIP doctrines affirmed
Congregationalist (UCC)
Varies
Historically Calvinist; modern UCC spans Reformed to universalist
Lutheran
Affirms
Justified by grace through faith alone, not works
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Affirms
Justification by grace through faith alone; monergistic; baptismal regeneration affirmed
Methodist
Nuanced
Arminian salvation: prevenient grace, free response, sanctification
Presbyterian
Affirms
Sovereign grace alone; justification by faith, covenant theology
Reformed Church in America
Affirms
Reformed election; sola fide; Canons of Dort; monergistic grace; assurance affirmed
Evangelical (15)
Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention)
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith alone; personal conversion required
Calvary Chapel
Nuanced
Grace through faith; unlimited atonement; not strict Calvinist
Christian & Missionary Alliance
Affirms
Fourfold gospel: Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, Coming King
Christian Reformed Church in North America
Affirms
Calvinist salvation: election, justification by faith, perseverance of saints
Church of the Nazarene
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; entire sanctification as second work of grace
Evangelical Covenant Church
Affirms
Justification by faith; personal conversion required; sanctification ongoing process
Evangelical Free Church of America
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith alone in Christ; regeneration and justification
IFCA International (Independent Fundamental Churches of America)
Affirms
Justification by faith alone; eternal security at moment of belief; grace-centered
National Association of Free Will Baptists
Affirms
Arminian salvation: grace through faith; entire sanctification possible; apostasy possible
Non-denominational Evangelical
Affirms
Personal conversion essential; salvation by grace through faith in Christ
Pentecostal (Assemblies of God)
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; four-fold gospel: salvation, Spirit, healing, return
Presbyterian Church in America
Affirms
Reformed soteriology; TULIP doctrine; monergistic regeneration; justification by faith alone
Reformed Baptist Churches (1689 London Baptist Confession)
Affirms
Calvinist salvation through grace alone via monergistic regeneration and faith
The Wesleyan Church
Affirms
Justification by faith alone; entire sanctification as second work of grace
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Affirms
Justification by grace through faith alone; objective justification; baptismal regeneration affirmed
Charismatic (5)
Charismatic Movement
Varies
Salvation by grace; specific formulations vary by host tradition
Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)
Affirms
New birth through faith; entire sanctification; salvation forfeitable through apostasy
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; sanctification as second definite work; Arminian
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; Arminian; ongoing sanctification; apostasy possible
Vineyard Churches
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ
Anabaptist (5)
Amish (Old Order)
Nuanced
Salvation by grace; assurance held humbly; community life is essential
Brethren in Christ Church
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; new birth and sanctification; can be lost
Church of the Brethren
Affirms
New birth by faith; believer's baptism; progressive sanctification; can be lost
Hutterite Brethren
Affirms
Salvation by grace; faith expressed in communal life and Gelassenheit
Mennonite Church
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith, expressed in committed discipleship
Adventist & Restorationist (5)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Nuanced
Salvation in Christ; specific formulations vary across the denomination
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
Nuanced
Faith and immersion baptism for remission of sins; Arminian; conditional election
Churches of Christ
Nuanced
Faith, repentance, confession, and baptism by immersion are all required
International Churches of Christ
Nuanced
Faith, repentance, and baptism by immersion are all necessary for salvation
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith in Christ; Arminian emphasis
Other Protestant (8)
Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum)
Affirms
Salvation through grace and faith in Christ; Christ-centered.
Plymouth Brethren
Affirms
Salvation is grace through faith alone, not by sacraments.
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Varies
Evangelical Quakers affirm grace through Christ; liberals diverse
Seventh Day Baptist General Conference
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith alone; personal repentance and conversion
The Salvation Army
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; Wesleyan-Arminian soteriology
True Jesus Church
Nuanced
Salvation requires faith, baptism in Jesus name, speaking in tongues, and Sabbath
Universal Church of the Kingdom of God
Affirms
Faith in Christ and seed-faith giving activate divine blessing; spiritual liberation from demonic oppression
Waldensian Church (Chiesa Evangelica Valdese)
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; justification by faith alone
Non-Trinitarian (6)
Biblical Unitarians
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith in Christ; repentance and baptism practiced
Christadelphians
Nuanced
Salvation by faith and baptism by immersion; moral obedience is required
Church of God General Conference (Abrahamic Faith)
Affirms
Salvation by faith in Christ; baptism by immersion practiced; kingdom hope central
Jehovah's Witnesses
Nuanced
Salvation through faith in Jehovah and Christ's ransom; two destinies taught
Oneness Pentecostals (UPCI)
Nuanced
Acts 2:38 plan required: repentance, Jesus-name baptism, Holy Spirit with tongues
Unitarian Universalist
Varies
No unified soteriology; salvation not a central concept for most UU members
Latter-day Saint (2)
Unique & Independent (7)
Armstrongism (Sabbatarian splinter groups)
Nuanced
Salvation involves becoming part of God Family; grace plus obedience and keeping commandments
Church of Christ, Scientist
Nuanced
Salvation through understanding divine Truth; sin and sickness are illusions
General Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian)
Nuanced
Salvation through conjunction with God by shunning evil, practising charity
Iglesia ni Cristo
Nuanced
Salvation through faith in Christ's ransom plus baptism by immersion into INC
Message Movement (Branhamism)
Nuanced
Acts 2:38 plan: repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, Holy Spirit with tongues
Messianic Judaism
Affirms
Salvation through faith in Yeshua as Messiah; grace alone through faith
New Apostolic Church
Nuanced
Faith, Holy Baptism, and Holy Sealing by Apostle required for full spiritual standing
African Independent (4)
Cherubim and Seraphim Church
Affirms
Justification by faith, baptism, and prayer encounter; Arminian with sanctification emphasis
Church of Jesus Christ on Earth through the Prophet Simon Kimbangu (EJCSK)
Affirms
Salvation through faith in Christ and witness of Kimbangu's teachings
Redeemed Christian Church of God
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; new birth by the Spirit; free will in accepting grace
Zion Christian Church
Affirms
Salvation through faith in Christ; healing and deliverance as signs