What is the San Diego New Church?

Hello and welcome to the San Diego New Church.

Our core teachings include the belief that Jesus Christ is the one and only God of heaven and earth. Jesus means: Jehovah Saves. We believe that the Lord made His advent on earth to bring salvation to all people who live the life of true religion. All religion is of life, and the life of religion is to do what is good and right. The Lord made His advent to save people from their sins. By the Second Advent we do not understand a second physical coming of the, but rather a new understanding of the Lord's Truth. "I will not leave you comfortless," says the Lord. "Behold when He the Spirit of Truth is come, He will lead you into all truth..." (John 16:13).

We understand that the Lord has made His second advent, and given us this new Truth, through the Writings for the New Church. These Writings were recorded by Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th century scientist, philosopher and theologian. These Writings proclaim that the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God. As such, being Divine Revelation, they are not only historical stories, but contain an inner meaning. A meaning that is applicable for everyone today and for all time.

The whole Word teaches us of our spiritual responsibility, and how our spiritual destiny is dependant on the choices we make for ourselves here on earth. Our spirituality depends upon the affections or loves that we cultivate for ourselves. It was for this reason that the Lord said: "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you," (John 13:34) and "The greatest of all commandments is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. This is the first and great commandment, and the second it like unto it ... You shall love the neighbor as yourself. On these two commandment hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-39)

New Church folk accept the Writings of Swedenborg as Revelation from God. For this reason some people call us "Swedenborgians." However we do not think of Swedenborg as a prophet, saint or Messiah; but simply as the instrument though whom the Lord revealed the truths of the inner meanings of Scripture.

For this reason we call ourselves New Church men and women. Our name: The New Church of the New Jerusalem, comes from the description in the Book of Revelation, and the vision of John on the Isle of Patmos. "And I John saw the Holy City New Jerusalem descending from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride, adorned for her husband." (Revelations 21:3)

Mark Perry, Pastor