What The Salvation Army believes. The Salvationist believes 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.
- 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.
- There are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and coequal in power and glory.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.
- Repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.
- We are justified by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
- Continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
- 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.
- 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.
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The Salvation Army USA Southern Territory's statement on Prayer
Divorce and Re-marriage
God established marriage as a covenantal relationship between a man and a woman, and Himself. The Bible states that the Lord hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Jesus said, 'What God has joined together, let no one separate.' Therefore, we believe that divorce is never God's intention for our marriages (Matthew 19:6, Mark 10:2-12).
The Salvation Army affirms the New Testament standard of marriage, which is the loving union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. However, we recognize, and scripture affirms, that in tragic or extreme circumstances, divorce may become necessary and even life-saving.
The Salvation Army rejects taking the dissolution of marriage lightly. Therefore, individuals contemplating divorce should work diligently and wholeheartedly at reconciliation (I Corinthians 7:11). They should prayerfully consider all options and consequences, guided by God's word, the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and others who seek to assist them in discerning God's will. A couple and their family in this circumstance need acceptance, love and compassion.
Divorced persons who are considering another marriage should do so prayerfully, seeking God's will. When divorced persons wish to remarry, the Army permits its officers to perform the ceremony.
When a divorce or remarriage has taken place, The Salvation Army will continue to show love and compassion and to offer its services and fellowship to those involved. The subsequent marriage of divorced persons may result in a new union which faithfully witnesses to God's purpose for marriage.
Recommended for approval by the Commissioners' Conference
Approved by International Headquarters
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Human Cloning
The Salvation Army recognizes the tragic and perplexing human condition of disease. We believe there exists within the context of the Holy Scriptures a moral imperative to combat disease. To this end, The Salvation Army recognizes the advancement in biomedical research as it pertains to Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (S.C.N.T.). It appreciates the therapeutic accomplishments with respect to tissue regeneration and wellness for suffering individuals. This stands in contrast to related work in which human embryos are created and sacrificed for research and therapeutic applications. We abhor the cloning of human beings.
We find the utilization of human embryos in such a process to be immoral and contrary to God's Word and design for humankind.
We remain people of light and life, recognizing One God who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver and Governor of all things.
Refs: Psalm 139; Deut 30:15; Matt 4:24; Luke 9:1
Recommended for approval by the Commissioners' Conference
Approved by International Headquarters
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Personal Financial Responsibility
We are accountable to God for the material resources and possessions entrusted to each of us as stewards. The Bible teaches the principle of tithing (returning to God one-tenth of all that each of us receives) (Malachi 3:10), cheerful giving and faithful stewardship. These should guide the use of our resources.
It is important for people to have enough to meet their needs, but The Salvation Army rejects our culture's greed, selfishness and deification of money as contrary to God's law. Jesus taught: 'Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions' (Luke 12:15).
People can learn skills in handling money that enable them to use what they have responsibly, and thereby benefit themselves, their families and communities. Unfortunately, modern society 'with its emphasis on materialism, and its virtually free and unlimited access to debt' has produced increasing numbers of individuals who find themselves in desperate financial conditions. The Salvation Army deplores those lenders who prey on the poor, enticing individuals with limited financial stability to incur debts at high cost and then refusing to deal fairly with the inevitable financial disasters that follow.
Having little or no debt allows people the ability to serve the Lord more fully. Debt should be incurred only after thoughtful and prayerful consideration of one's financial position with an honest commitment to repay. Situations where debt is incurred should be consistent with good stewardship of the resources given by God. Individuals should not voluntarily incur debt where there is no reasonable expectation of repayment.
Even with responsible money management, circumstances may arise that leave individuals with unmanageable debt. In such instances the filing of bankruptcy becomes a legal means of relief. Bankruptcy should be entered into only as a last resort and with a good faith intention to repay debt to the fullest extent possible.
Our ministry often brings us into contact with individuals whose lives are broken and burdened in many ways. Financial ruin can lead to loss of employment, homelessness and destruction of family and personal relationships. The Salvation Army believes that people with these problems deserve compassion, assistance and sound Christian counseling.
Recommended for approval by the Commissioners' Conference
Approved by International Headquarters
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Position Statement on Religious Persecution
Religious persecution, whether of Christians or persons of other faiths, is an injustice against humanity. The Salvation Army is adamantly opposed to the religious persecution of any individual, community, organization or institution.
The persecution of Christians around the world is a grave concern. Salvationists have a particular scriptural responsibility to those who make up the worldwide Body of Christ. The Salvation Army is committed to praying for and upholding our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer religious persecution.
Religious persecution of Christians may take the form of denial of the right to worship together in congregate bodies, to speak openly about Christ, to own or carry a Bible, to witness to others, or to raise children in the Christian faith. In other instances, people are denied the freedom to convert to Christianity. In some countries our brothers and sisters are subjected to political suppression and social discrimination, incarceration, torture or murder for their belief.
Salvationists are encouraged to pray for all those who suffer persecution on the basis of their faith.
1 1 Corinthians 12:26-27
Scripture references: 1 Thessalonians 3:7, Acts 11:19, Acts 8:1, Revelation 2:10, 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 13:3, 1 Peter 2:16
Recommended for approval by the Commissioners' Conference
Approved for use within the USA by International Headquarters
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Suicide
The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of human life. It considers each person to be of infinite value and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and redeemed. Human life is sacred because it is made in the image of God and has an eternal destiny (Genesis 1:27). Sacredness is not conferred, nor can it be taken away by human agreement.
Taking one's own life is a denial of life's value, a denial of hope and of the power of God to sustain and bring people through difficult and trying times (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Suicide is never an acceptable option; we deplore those messages in secular culture that glamorize and promote self-destruction.
The Salvation Army recognizes the immense and diverse struggles individuals face and that sometimes people conclude suicide is their best option. Salvationists and Salvation Army programs must seek to be sensitive and responsive to individuals wrestling with issues that could precipitate suicide so that compassion, assistance and sound Christian counseling can be provided.
The Salvation Army believes it is important to communicate the salvation, new life, hope and healing found in the love of Jesus Christ. We recognize the devastating effects that suicide may have on family and friends. At those times, The Salvation Army stands ready to offer support, counsel, and comfort.
Recommended for approval by the Commissioners' Conference
Approved by International Headquarters
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