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.

Image: Bourne Baljit

1. Discover Biblical Precedent.
2. Investigate for Scriptural Harmony.
3. Scrutinize for Sound Doctrine.
4. Confirm with Experience.
5. Examine the Fruit.
6. Receive Supernatural Discernment.
7. Note Examples and Lessons from the Past.
8. Sift and Weigh for Divine Equilibrium.

As we look at these principles, to make it simple, spiritual discernment is a bit like driving a car. We need to learn when to press down the accelerator, apply the brakes, or continue to move forward with alertness and caution. The illustration of approaching a traffic light while driving helps to picture the process of discernment: Green Light means Go for discernment. Red Light means Stop; go no farther. Yellow light means slow down and get ready to stop. A blinking yellow light is a modified green light when crossing some busy intersections, meaning continue to proceed with caution, looking both ways in case there are crosswinds or someone else wasn’t paying attention to the lights.[i]

Discernment Principle 1: Discover Biblical Precedent

Is the teaching, practice, or manifestation clearly found in Scripture? “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). Biblical precedent may be demonstrated in one of three ways: 1) Commands—a direct command to do or not to do something (for example, the Ten Commandments); 2) Principles—guidelines for common or normal practice (for instance, most of the proverbs are observation of life truth, not commands); 3) Examples—demonstration through something that is said or done or not said or done (illustrations, real life instances, patterns, experiences). Based on these, we then can ask two questions:

• Do any biblical commands, principles, or examples clearly question or condemn this teaching, practice, or manifestation? This is an automatic red light.

• Do any biblical commands, principles, or examples permit or sanction this teaching, practice, or manifestation? This may be a green light, but it also may be a blinking yellow light that requires looking in all directions for further confirmation.
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