New Church Life July/August 2015 | Page 90

Declarations of Faith and Purpose the rev. brett d. buick New Tripoli, Pennsylvania I believe that the Lord God Jesus Christ reigns whose kingdom shall be for ages and ages. (True Christian Religion 791) I believe that the Heavenly Doctrine revealed by the Lord through Emanuel Swedenborg is the Second Advent of the Lord and the internal sense of the Sacred Scripture. (See Ecclesiastic History of the New Church 7-8; True Christian Religion 776, 779) I believe that the Lord’s purpose for creation is a heaven from the human race. (Divine Providence 27) I believe that the Lord leaves us in freedom to choose good or evil according to reason and that we are responsible for our free choices (Ibid. 78), and that if on earth, we repent for the evil we do choose, the Lord will save us from hell and we will live to eternity in heaven. (See True Christian Religion 522) I believe that the marriage of one man and one wife is the precious jewel of human life and the repository of the Christian religion. (Conjugial Love 457) I believe that if a priest is in the good of the priesthood, which is to care for the salvation of souls, to teach the way to heaven, and to lead those whom he teaches, then in proportion as he is in this good he acquires the truths which he may teach, and by means of which he may lead. (Life 39) I believe that the Lord has called me to be a priest in the priesthood of the New Church. Lord, help me be firm and be very courageous, help me to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses Thy servant commanded. Help me turn not aside from it to the right hand or to the left. (Joshua 1:7) 402