296. The first and foremost thing of the Church is to know and acknowledge one God; for apart from that knowledge, and acknowledgment there is no conjunction; such is the case in the Church which is without the acknowledgment of the Lord. This the Lord teaches in John (iii. 36), "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life: but he that believeth not on the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." And in another place, "Unless ye believe that I am, ye will die in your sins" (John viii. 36).