What does The Salvation Army believe?

The 11 Doctrines of The Salvation Army

From the beginnings of The Salvation Army in 1865 as the East London Revival Society to the present, there has always been a definite creed to which the movement’s members have subscribed. The first printed document of this kind was issued by the East London Christian Revival Society in 1866 or 1867 (the precise date is not known). This included seven articles of faith and a five-point bond of agreement: a “creed” to believe and a “code of conduct” to follow.

Since that time, a series of Handbooks of Doctrine have sought to present doctrine in ways that will help people to understand the tenets of faith that Salvationists hold true.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.
8. 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.
9. We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
10. 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.
11. 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.

Salvation Army membership

All Salvationists accept a discilined and compassionate life of high moral standards, which include abstinence from harmful substances. From its earliest days, the Army has given women equal opportunities with every rank and service being open to them, and from childhood, the young are encouraged to love and serve God.

Officer

A Salvationist who has been trained, commissioned and ordained to service and leadership. An officer is a recognied minister of religion.

Soldier

A converted person at least 14 years of age who has, with the approval of the Senior Pastoral Care Council, signed a Soldier’s Covenant and been enrolled as a member of The Salvation Army uniform.

Adherent

A person who regards The Salvation Army as his or her spiritual home but has not made a commitment to soldiership.

Jr. Soldier

A boy or girl under age 14 who professes conversion and signs the junior soldier’s promise.

For more information and to download the articles on Salvation Army doctrine, visit salvationarmy.org/doctrine/doctrines