Our Faith
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Our message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by the love of God. Our mission is to make known the good news about Jesus Christ and to invite others to become his followers too.
The confidence we have in a loving and caring God finds outward expression in our love for humanity and our practical response to human need.
What we believe about...
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is inspired by God. It is the foundation and authority of our faith and life.
God
There is only one God who created everything, and who continues to creatively sustain and guide creation towards its ultimate purpose. God is a Trinity of three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who are the same in essence but remain distinct as different expressions of God.
What it means to be human
When human beings were created in the image of God they were in a perfect relationship with God, but they rebelled. As a result, this relationship was spoiled for every generation.
Sin
God, who is loving and holy, cannot simply accept this rebellion (which is called sin), and therefore all people are open to judgement by God.
Jesus
Through the obedient life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, who is both fully divine and fully human, God provided the way for the relationship with humanity to be restored so that we might also be obedient to the Father.
Restoring our relationship with God
In order to enjoy a restored relationship it is necessary to turn away from our disobedience and towards God, believe in the power of Jesus to bring salvation, and so experience the Holy Spirit bringing new life. This experience is confirmed within each believer’s life.
How being a Christian changes our life
When, because of divine grace, our relationship with God is repaired, we become aware of a positive spiritual transformation taking place in every aspect of our lives and we become better people in every way.
Growing and developing as Christians
In order for this new life to be maintained, in obedience to God we need to make continual conscious choices to live in the way God intends. We demonstrate this in the way we love and serve others. All Christians, through their cooperation with God’s grace, can become and be kept holy (Christ-like) until Jesus comes again.
What happens when we die
The choices we make in this life will have eternal consequences. If we choose our own way, we will face the pain of having separated ourselves from God. However, choosing God’s way leads to the joy of an eternal relationship with God.
These eleven doctrines set out the formal beliefs of The Salvation Army as detailed in Schedule 1 of The Salvation Army Act 1980. These doctrines define our understanding of God, humanity and the developing relationship of the Christian life. They are an expression of personal faith and a common vision.
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.
We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.
We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.
We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.
We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.
We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.
We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.
Explore the doctrines further in The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine.
Worship
Worship is the way we show God how much we love him. Worship can take place in churches, in homes, outside, in workplaces – anywhere!
Salvation Army places of worship have many different names but whatever their name, they are Christian churches, open to all.
Worship can be expressed in many ways. In gathered worship at The Salvation Army, you can expect to experience some of the following:
- Bible reading
- teaching
- prayer
- singing songs and hymns
- band or choir
- multimedia
- monetary offering or tithing
- dancing and / or timbrels (tambourines)
- testimony – sharing stories and news of what God is doing
- mercy seat – a sacred place of prayer, often found at the front of a Salvation Army hall. Anyone is welcome to pray here.