What is Basic New Testament Doctrine?
Veteran Bible teacher Charles Carrin introduces the central doctrines of the Christian faith drawn from the New Testament.
The truth of Scripture can never be reduced to a few theological abstractions. Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you they are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63). Spirit and life can never be examined under our theological microscopes. They totally defy all such attempts. Not only so but they are dangerous and abortive. Dangerous, because of the possibility—as happened frequently in the past—that such documents become tools to interpret Scripture instead of Scripture being used to interpret the documents. Additionally, the Bible speaks to every generation, culture, and circumstance, with truths relevant to each particular age. While Scripture remains unchanging, a specific illumination may appear—or disappear—according to need. As the Holy Spirit’s inspired volume, the Bible is to be revered, loved, believed, and protected. In that understanding, I share my limited understanding of the New Testament’s presentation. Is this conclusive? No. I am open to learn.
The Bible
“Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:20,21). The Old and New Testaments are Covenants (not mere books); the first, sanctified by Moses “sprinkling the blood of bulls and goats” and the second sanctified by the Messiah sprinkling His own blood (Hebrews 9:11-23;12:24). As such, each Covenant is inalterable, cannot be added to or taken from, and of which no part has lost the Divine Seal (Revelation 22:19). We therefore do not believe that I Corinthians 12 and 14, or similar passages, lost their validity with the death of the Apostles or upon the canon of Scripture being completed. As modern Christians, we believe it is our duty to preach all New Testament Scripture with commitment equal to that of first century Christians. Regarding the unity of the two Covenants, we understand the Old Testament to be the New Testament concealed; the New Testament to be the Old Testament revealed. Holy Scripture is the Divinely inspired Word of God and our only rule of faith and practice (II Timothy 3:16).
The Being and Nature of God
God is One, maintaining His unity while sovereignly manifesting Himself in three personages, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1-14; Genesis 1:26. 18:1,2). The Father isthe origin and initial cause of all that is. Jesus Christ, eternally pre-existent with the Father, became flesh, was born of a virgin into the earth, is the only sin-bearer for mankind, was crucified, resurrected, ascended, forever satisfied the demands of the Law, and will return again in Glory for the reclamation of the saints. “For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (II Corinthians 5:20,21). The Holy Spirit was, is, and forever remains, God with us on the earth as the Divine Presence in creation, salvation, inspiration, continuation, and consummation.
Relationship with God
Jesus Christ is man’s complete and sufficient approach to God. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). To receive eternal life, one must be redeemed in Christ, cleansed of sin in His blood, born-again by the Holy Spirit, and presented guilt-free to the Father.
Category: Biblical Studies, Winter 2020
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