The Articles Of Faith (The Doctrines of The Salvation Army)
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament 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 toward 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, soul, and body may 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 judgement at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.
Our Symbols
Click here to edit text
Our Stance On The Sacraments
INTRODUCTION
The Christian Church is made up of people who have responded in faith and repentance to the call of Jesus Christ. That, and that alone, is the basis of membership. They are born not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:13).
This is the requirement asked by The Salvation Army of those who would be enrolled as soldiers within its ranks. In this we are on firm New Testament ground!
Whilst the Army respects those who find the Sacraments helpful as means of grace, it holds the view that nowhere does Scripture teach that the observance of a particular ritual is essential to salvation or Christian living.
It is to a true inward relationship with God that The Salvation Army seeks to testify.
The Salvation Army is not opposed to the Sacraments, but positively asserts that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are the only essentials of Salvation.
__________________________________________________________________
There are significant parallels between The Salvation Army’s understanding of water baptism and our soldier enrollment ceremony -
Only those who confess Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord may be considered for soldiership in The Salvation Army.
Such a confession is confirmed by the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and includes the call to discipleship.
In accepting the call to discipleship Salvationists promise to continue to be responsive to the Holy Spirit and to seek to grow in grace.
They also express publicly their desire to fulfill membership of Christ’s Church on earth as soldiers of The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army rejoices in the truth that all who are in Christ are baptised into the one body by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).
It believes, in accordance with Scripture, that there is one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:5,6).
The swearing-in of a soldier of The Salvation Army beneath the trinitarian sign of the Army’s flag acknowledges this truth.
It is a public response and witness to a life-changing encounter with Christ which has already taken place, as is the water baptism practiced by other Christians.
The Salvation Army acknowledges that there are many worthy ways of publicly witnessing to having been baptised into Christ’s body by the Holy Spirit and expressing a desire to be his disciple.
The swearing-in of a soldier should be followed by a lifetime of continued obedient faith in Christ, as should water baptism.
__________________________________________________________________
When it comes to The Salvation Army’s understanding and approach to Holy Communion, the following points should be noted:
God’s grace is freely and readily accessible to all people at all times and in all places.
No particular outward observance is necessary to inward grace.
The Salvation Army believes that unity of the Spirit exists within diversity and rejoices in the freedom of the Spirit in expressions of worship.
When Salvationists attend other Christian gatherings in which a form of Holy Communion is included, they may partake if they choose to do so and if the host church allows.
Christ is the one true Sacrament, and sacramental living, Christ living in us and through us is at the heart of Christian holiness and discipleship.
Throughout its history The Salvation Army has kept Christ’s atoning sacrifice at the centre of its corporate worship.
The Salvation Army rejoices in its freedom to celebrate Christ’s real presence at all meals and in all meetings, and in its opportunity to explore in life together the significance of the simple meals shared by Jesus and his friends and by the first Christians.
Salvationists are encouraged to develop creative means of hallowing meals in the home and the corps - in remembrance of the Lord’s sacrificial love.
The Salvation Army encourages the development of resources for fellowship meals, which will vary according to culture, without ritualising particular words or actions.
In accordance with normal Salvation Army practice, such remembrances and celebrations, where observed, will not become established rituals, nor will frequency be prescribed.