2. 新天國與新教會的信仰, 就總體而言, 概述如下:

永恆之主耶和華, 降臨人間征服地獄, 並榮耀祂的人身; 若非如此, 無人能被拯救; 信祂的人得拯救。

以上被稱為該信仰的總體形式, 是信仰的普遍原則。信仰的普遍原則必存於信仰的整體和細節之中。上帝的本質和位格是一, 聖三一集於這一, 這一就是主耶穌基督, 這是信仰的一個普遍原則。若非主降臨人間, 則無人得救, 這是信仰的一個普遍原則。主降臨人間(那時地獄勢力侵犯人間), 藉著與地獄爭戰並戰勝制服它, 從而移除地獄, 使其歸入秩序並服從於祂, 這是信仰的一個普遍原則。主降臨人間, 榮耀祂在人間所取之人, 就是將這人與神性聯合, 從而永遠地保持地獄歸入秩序並服從於祂; 這樣的聯合唯有藉著祂所取之人被准許接受各樣的試探而得以成就, 甚至最後接受終極的試探——十字架受難, 祂忍受並得勝了; 這是信仰的一個普遍原則。這些是關於主這方面信仰的幾個普遍原則。

關於我們人這方面:

人應當信主, 因為通過信主, 人得以與主聯合, 從而被得拯救。信主就是篤信主施行拯救; 因為唯有那些過良善生活者方有如此信心, 因而這也是信祂之意。主在約翰福音中教導:父的意思是叫一切見子而信的人得永生(約翰福音6:40)。在另一處:信子的有永生。不信子的不得見永生; 上帝的震怒常在他身上(約翰福音3:36)。

128. "'And charity and ministry.'" This symbolizes the spiritual affection called charity, and the practice of it.

Charity is a spiritual affection because charity is love for the neighbor, and a love for the neighbor is that affection.

Ministry is the practice of it, because in the Word those are called ministers who put into practice things that are matters of charity.

In the Word, a worshiper of God is called sometimes a servant, sometimes a minister; and a servant of God is the term used for one who is governed by truths, and a minister of God for one who is governed by goods. The reason is that truth serves good, and good ministers to truth. That servant is a term used for someone governed by truths, see no. 3 above. That minister, on the other hand, is a term used for someone governed by good is apparent from the following passages:

You shall be named the priests of Jehovah, ...the ministers of our God. (Isaiah 61:6)

...My covenant will also be broken... with the Levites..., My ministers. (Jeremiah 33:21)

They are called ministers because priests represented the Lord in relation to Divine good.

Bless Jehovah, all you His hosts, His ministers who do His will. (Psalms 103:21)

(Jehovah) makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire. (Psalms 104:4)

Angel spirits are ones who are governed by truths, and angel ministers are ones who are governed by goods. A flame of fire also symbolizes the goodness of love.

(Jesus said,) "whoever desires to become great..., let him be your minister. And whoever desires to be first..., let him be your servant." (Matthew 20:26-27, cf. 23:11-12)

"Minister" there refers to good, and "servant" to truth.

Ministering and ministry have the same symbolic meaning in Isaiah 56:6, John 12:26, Luke 12:37, and elsewhere.

It is apparent from this that charity and ministry symbolize the spiritual affection called charity and the practice of it. For good is connected with charity, and truth with faith.