The Salvation Army's beliefs are in line with those of mainstream Christian churches. Briefly, we believe the Bible is God's word and forms the only basis for our faith and living. We believe 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.