1. THE FAITH OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW CHURCH

A statement of faith, set out in both universal and particular terms, is placed at the beginning to serve as a preface to the book which follows, to be like a doorway leading into a church, and a summary presenting in a short compass what follows at more length. It is called the faith of the new heaven and the new church, because heaven, where the angels are, and the church among men form a single unit, just as the internal and external sides of the personality make up a single individual. This is why a member of the church who possesses the good of love which arises from the truths of faith, and possesses the truths of faith which arise from the good of love, is, so far as the interiors of his mind are concerned, an angel of heaven. Therefore too after dying he comes into heaven, and there enjoys happiness depending upon how far the good and truth are linked. It should be known that in the new heaven, which is at the present time being established by the Lord, this statement of faith serves as its preface, doorway and summary.

681. V. The second purpose of baptism is so that a Christian may get to know and acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer and Saviour, and follow him.

This second purpose of baptism, which is getting to know the Lord, the Redeemer and Saviour Jesus Christ, comes as the inseparable companion of the first, which is being brought into the Christian church and being associated with Christians in the spiritual world. What would that first purpose be, without this second one to follow it, but a mere name? Yet it would be like a subject who swears allegiance to a king, but then rejects the king's or his country's laws, and swears allegiance to and serves a barbarian king. Or it would be like a servant who goes into service with a master and takes his clothing to wear as a livery, and then runs away and serves another master while still wearing the livery of his former master. Or he would be like a standard-bearer who goes off with the colours, cuts them in pieces and throws them to the winds or to be trampled under the soldiers' feet. In short, his name of Christian, that is, of belonging to Christ, without acknowledging Him and following Him, that is, living in accordance with His commandments, is as meaningless as a shadow, smoke or a blacked-out painting. For the Lord says:

Why do you call me Lord, and not do what I tell you? Luke 6:46ff.

Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord. But then I shall admit to them, I do not know you, Matthew 7:22-23.