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About Jesus Steve Sweetman The Salvation Army For the first time (2005) I have worked with the Salvation Army, manning their Christmas Kettles. I have heard it said before, and now hear first hand, that many people like giving to the Salvation Army. They say such things as, "the Red Cross and the Salvation Army were the only ones to help us in the war". Others have said, "I trust the Salvation Army with the money I am giving them". Why are so many people who aren't even Christians so trusting of the Salvation Army? I think it is because of their social program. They are very visible in the community doing good works and serving the poor. To put it in a Biblical perspective, they are showing the fruit of the Spirit. Spending most of my time in Charismatic and Pentecostal circles over the last 35 years, I have been around those who have stressed the gifts of the Spirit. Yet many time we don't see many gifts of the Spirit, and for the most part, the world doesn't see them at all because they are performed within the walls of our church buildings. So in all practicalities the Salvation Army is most likely the most well respected Christian denomination in North America, not because of the gifts of the Spirit, which I am in full favour of, but because the fruit of the Spirit. This might be something for Charismatic and Pentecostal churches to think about.
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