296. The first and leading principle of the church is to recognise and acknowledge its God. Without this recognition and acknowledgment it is impossible to be linked with Him, and so in the church this means without acknowledging the Lord. This is taught by the Lord in John:
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life. But he who does not believe the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains with him. John 3:36.
And elsewhere:
Unless you believe that it is I, you will die in your sins. John 8:24.