What is Basic New Testament Doctrine?
The Necessity of the New Birth
This new-birth experience is achieved “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:5-6. God “saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (II Timothy 1:9). “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
The Free Gift of Salvation
Charles Carrin
The gift of salvation is received as Jesus explained: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on his name: Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:11-13). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He who believes on him is not condemned: but he who believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18). “The gospel of Christ … is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
How Does One Know he is Saved?
The evidence of a born-again life is one’s true belief that Jesus Christ isthe Son of God. This is proved by his “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts” and the desire to live “soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12). “We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren” (I John 3:14). Being in the “state of grace” is personal to each individual. We cannot claim salvation because of relationship to people, churches, denominations, organizations, or family ancestry. Jesus said, “By their fruit you shall know them” (Matthew 7:20).
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Bible speaks to every generation, culture, and circumstance, with truths relevant to each particular age.
The Gospel
As a “witness to all nations,” the gospel should be presented with the original message and power Jesus gave at the beginning. He expected the gospel to remain unchanged when He said to the first disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them (all nations) to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus was emphatic. His instruction, “teach them all things,” referring specifically to the church at the “end of the age” is unmistakably clear. He expected the 21st century church isto be taught precisely what He taught the first century church.
As a Ministry, we therefore deny the cessation theory that parts of the New Testament lost their validity or that the Holy Spirit’s miraculous gifts and power have been withdrawn. The power is absent because the masses of Christianity have replaced faith in Bible truth with doctrines of denial. Jesus established one church for all time; there is no such thing as an “apostolic” and “post-apostolic” gospel with different teachings, different powers, and different expectations. As Jesus is “the same yesterday, today, and forever,” so His gospel is as unchanging as Himself (Hebrews 13:8). “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).
Category: Biblical Studies, Winter 2020
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