A significant difference between The Salvation Army and some other religious denominations is that it does not include sacraments (mainly holy communion and baptism) in its form of worship. The Salvation Army has never said it is wrong to use sacraments, nor does it deny that other Christians receive grace from God through using them. Instead, the Army believes that it is possible to live a holy life and receive the grace of God without the use of physical sacraments and that they should not be regarded as an essential part of becoming a Christian. Salvationists see the sacraments as an outward sign of an inward experience, and it is the inward experience that is the most important thing. It should be noted that The Salvation Army did not cease to use the sacraments because of any prejudices it had against them or from any desire to be 'different.' The decision to discontinue their use was a gradual process in the minds of the Army's founders. Some reasons for The Salvation Army's cessation of the sacraments may be summarised as follows: • The Army's founders felt that many Christians had come to rely on the outward signs of spiritual grace rather than on God's grace itself. William and Catherine Booth believed, along with the Apostle Paul and others in the Bible, that salvation came solely from God's grace personally received by faith. They felt that much of what passed for Christianity in their day was primarily an observance of outward ritual and not enough focus on a relationship with God. • Historically, many early-day converts to the Army had previously been alcoholics. It was considered unwise to tempt them with the wine used in holy communion, and unfermented "wine" was not available/acceptable at the time. • Luke 3:16 - John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. • Corinthians 11: 25-26 - In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Note "as often" or "every time" they drank and ate, not just on a prescribed day, in a formal church setting, about once a month, and apart from a fellowship meal. Salvationists view the true sacrament here as that spiritual joy and fellowship Christians share every time they gather together for a meal ...and remember Jesus in a prayer of thanksgiving. To a large extent, this is still the Salvationist's standpoint. However, it should be stressed that Salvationists have never been in opposition to the sacraments. Indeed, when they take part in gatherings with Christians from other churches, Salvationists will often share in using the symbols of the Lord's Supper as a sign of fellowship and remembrance. Furthermore, Salvationists are not prevented from being baptized in other churches should they so desire. There may be those who would take exception to some aspects of The Salvation Army's interpretation of the Bible, but keep in mind there has always been criticism and differences of opinion concerning both the practice of baptism and the Lord's Supper. There is no uniform structure through all churches. The essential thing for all Christian churches to keep in mind is that regardless of what we practice or how we practice them, Jesus Christ is the ground and centre of our faith. Through Him, in Him, and by Him, we may have glorious unity, fruitful fellowship, shared ministry, and brotherly love. Following is a quote regarding baptism, communion and even our next question of wearing the Salvation Army uniform: "If we were allowed a glimpse into the heavenly throne room of our eternal God I am sure he might be amused at our deliberations on the finery and details of our particular expression of church. If we accept him as Saviour through Christ, having renounced our sins and sought forgiveness, then been spiritually blessed in our quest to be like him in word and deed, then we have become part of the body of Christ, the Church. We are a church in essence and by adoption. What we actually call ourselves and what we wear or what symbols we use to confirm our status – as important as they may be to our own expression of faith – are largely incidental to the fact that we are who we are, children of the most high Living God. I don’t need the symbols of sacrament, the water of baptism, the uniform of witness to know that. I simply choose these things as part of my expression of Faith. If I do not choose those things it doesn’t make me unworthy of membership. I make my confessions and promises and public pronouncements to witness to all that I am saved by grace – and I am sure God is happy with that and blesses all of us who then follow in the footsteps of Christ in whatever capacity in whatever Christian church. I can break bread with fellow believers in church or at home if I wish, wearing whatever attire I choose, but when I share sacred fellowship it is not about the ceremony, but it is in the knowledge that Jesus is our Saviour and only by the blessing and power of the Holy Spirit are we part of the embodiment of Christ and therefore his Church." (Salvation Army Major Keith White)