The Salvation Army affirms the biblical text as inspired and authoritative. The Handbook of Doctrine teaches that the Bible is the Word of God given to guide and direct the salvation and service mission. While the Salvation Army has not been primarily concerned with defending the technical doctrine of 'inerrancy' in the way some evangelical denominations have debated it, the organization affirms biblical authority and reliability.

The Salvation Army's emphasis falls on the Bible's power to transform lives rather than on philosophical precision about inspiration. Nevertheless, the organization stands within the evangelical tradition that affirms the Bible as God's authoritative revelation and guide for doctrine and practice.