What is The Salvation Army's motivation?

The Salvation Army believes there is only one God and he only should be worshipped, and that he expresses himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that God's creation of the universe was perfect but when man first deliberately disobeyed God, sin and suffering entered the world. As a result, man's relationship with God has been spoiled. We believe that Jesus is both truly divine and human. Through his suffering and death on the cross is given the only way by which sinful people - which means all mankind - can be forgiven. When we are forgiven, our relationship with God is put right and we receive new spiritual life. Although this is God's free gift, we have a part to play in that process - we must be truly sorry for our wrongdoing and have faith in Jesus. To maintain this new life we must continually have faith in Jesus and be obedient to him. Once we are 'saved', God gives us the help we need to live in the way he wants us to. We believe that our real selves never die but go on living beyond physical death. After this present life we will be accountable to God for how we have lived. Those whose lives have been as God has wished will live with him in eternal happiness; those who have not done so will be unhappy forever because they had no time for God. Changing social and economic conditions require the Army to take a critical look at, and sometimes review, parts of its structure, patterns of worship and methods of service. However, these Christian beliefs which form our doctrine are relevant to all generations and point to the unchanging answer to people's basic need of a right relationship with God. The Salvation Army is a worldwide evangelical Christian church and human service agency. Its ministry is offered to all persons, regardless of race, creed, colour or gender.

Mission Statement

Called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland exists to save souls, grow saints, and serve suffering humanity

Vision Statement

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we will be a Spirit-filled, radical growing movement with a burning desire to lead people into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, actively serve the community, and fight for social justice

The Eleven Doctrines

* 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' (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
* 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. Salvation Story Salvation Story is an exposition of the principal Doctrines of The Salvation Army as set forth in its Deed Poll of 1878 and confirmed in The Salvation Army Act 1980. You can download the work in its entirety from our online library. Words of Life The Salvation Army encourages officers, members and supporters to read the Bible regularly. Words of Life is:
* read by thousands of people around the world each day
* thoughtful and informative notes that bring a fresh approach to daily Bible reading
* published three times a year
* ... and can be used to build a lasting library for further study Words of Life is published by Hodder and available from SP&S and good Christian bookshops.