Why Should I Study the New Testament?
From a dank, dark prison cell, the aged Paul wrote and
asked Timothy to bring him a cloak he left at Troas with
Carpus, and added, “when thou comest, bring with thee,
the books, but especially the parchments” (2 Tim. 4:13).
The “books” may have been Old Testament documents. The
parchments, his writing materials, were probably letters
he had previously received from brethren, or copies of
letters he had written by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Some of what we have in the New Testament were, more than
likely, included in those parchments Paul especially
wanted. Paul “especially” wanted the parchments. So
should we.
The
New Testament is laid out in a manner that expedites
learning the grace of Christ and salvation from sin he
makes possible. The biographical section (Matthew through
John) presents Jesus in a way that appeals “to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.” Sequel to his
resurrection, “Acts of the Apostles” reports the
carrying out of his last words on earth, Acts is the
“Great Commission” in action.
Letters
to churches and individuals all reveal Jesus Christ as the
supreme example of conduct and thought (Eph. 5:1; 1 Pet.
2:22; Phil. 2:5). The phrase, “even as Christ . . .”
is oft repeated (Col. 3:13; Eph. 5:23,25). The church he
established receives divine instruction regarding every
aspect of her work and worship (1 Cor. 7:17; 14:33). The
final section (the Revelation
of John) of the New Testament, in stunningly graphic
words, gives rise to the expression, “Truth crushed to
earth will rise again.”
Of
all studies, that which is devoted to getting to know
Jesus Christ, is the most essential. He is the interpreter
or revealer of God (John 1:18; Matt. 11:27). Only in the
New Testament can one come to know God in Christ Jesus.
Knowing him in salvation and sanctification is possible
only by studying the New Testament.
When
Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth” (John 8:32a) he
spoke of the future completion of revelation. Truth was
not complete then. He promised knowing the truth would
bring freedom from Satan, sin, and from the fear of death
(Heb. 2:13-14). Jesus recognized only divine revelation as
the Truth
(John 17:17). Such a promise was never made in the days of
Abraham, Moses, inspired poets and prophets. Peter tells
us the anxiety that filled the ancients who, “inquired
and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that
should come unto you, searching what, or what manner of
time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify,
when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and
the glory that should follow” (1 Pet. 1:10-11).
On
the first Pentecost after Jesus rose from the dead
repentance and remission of sins were heard for the fist
time in history (Luke 24:47). Pentecost day was “the
beginning” (Acts 11:15). The climactic events leading up
to Pentecost, for all practical purpose, began when our
Lord was baptized by John the baptizer (Acts 1:22; 10:37).
The events subsequent to Pentecost fulfill the eternal
purpose of God in Christ. By studying the New Testament we
are made to stand in awe at the magnificent works of God
in Christ.
The
entire New Testament is focused on Jesus, of Nazareth, God
manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16). Paul wrote, “That
in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might
gather together in one all things in Christ, both which
are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him”
(Eph. 1:10). All that is written in the first four books
of the New Testament converge on Jesus (John 20:30-31;
Luke 1:1-3). What follows presents one basic theme: Jesus,
of Nazareth, is the Messiah, the Great God and our Savior
(Titus 2:13). To know Jesus and his salvation one must
study the New Testament. That knowledge is so precious
that with Paul, we must “count all things but loss for
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my (our)
Lord. . .” (Phil. 3:8).
Other
reasons to study of the wonderful words of the New
Testament are:
1.
It contains the words of
salvation. Paul’s speech in the synagogue at
Antioch gives us a clear picture of the exaltation of the
New Testament. After the customary reading of the Law,
Paul rehearsed a bit of Jewish history. At the very
mention of Jesus, he said, “Men and brethren, children
of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth
God, to you is the word of this
salvation (emphasis added) sent” (Acts
13:26). The word of salvation comes to the world only
through the New Testament of Jesus Christ. It is the word
of truth, “the gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13).
2.
The New Testament is the means to
eternal life. Hearing the Master speak, Peter
quickly learned that Jesus has “the words of eternal
life” (John 6:68). Again, from Acts 13, the Jews
rejected Paul’s words. The next Sabbath, he spoke again.
This time he bade them farewell and turned to the
Gentiles, who when hearing the word, “were glad and
honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed
for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48, NIV). The way to
have eternal life is revealed in this word of salvation.
3.
The New Testament has words of
true joy and happiness. John, the apostle,
wrote, “And these things write we unto you, that your
joy may be full” (1 John 1:4; See also 1 John 5:11).
Many documents have been written on the pursuit of
happiness, but it is this wonderful New Testament that
gives reality to happiness and peace of with God. Jesus
said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me
ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have
tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the
world” (John 16:33). He left us his word of peace and
happiness in the New Testament for us to study and obey.
4.
The New Testament contains all
man needs to be right with God (2 Pet. 1:3).
All that pertains to life and godliness has been revealed
to us. Peter said he would not be negligent to put his
readers in remembrance of things they knew and in which
they were well established. It was the “present truth”
of which he continued reminding them (verse 12). The Old
Testament is truth; but it is “past” truth. It
furnishes the foundation for New Testament truth.
The
New Testament reveals “the faith” (Gal. 3:22-25).
Shortly after Pentecost, Jerusalem saw thousands becoming
obedient to the gospel, including many Jewish priests, who
obeyed “the faith” (Acts 6:7). Saving faith comes by
hearing the message of faith. “Consequently, faith comes
from hearing the message, and the message is heard through
the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17, NIV). The New Testament
is “the faith” must be studied consistently to be
“in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5). It is also that which
Christians will defend against any attack (Jude 3).
The
New Testament is the vast wealth of the knowledge of
Jesus, the Christ. Nothing ever written can furnish the
story of Jesus Christ like the New Testament. Heed
Paul’s mandate: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly in all wisdom . . .” (Col. 3:16).
To
live with Christ one must feed on his word (Matt.4:4; 1
Pet. 2:1-2). To grow in the grace and knowledge of the
Lord Jesus Christ, we must study the one and only document
that reveals Jesus to us, the New Testament (2 Pet. 3:18).
May the Lord bless you with an intense thirst for
righteousness.
Back to More
Religious Issues