Ten New Testament Teachings You Should Know About

In This Chapter

Reviewing New Testament authors’ explanations of faith

Taking Christ’s words to heart

Living the Christian life and fighting spiritual battles

Christians should read all of the New Testament because it’s important, but certain teachings stand out from the rest of the Bible and deserve special emphasis. In this chapter, I highlight ten of these teachings that have special importance. These aren’t necessarily the ten most important teachings of the New Testament, but they all focus on key components of the Christian faith.

Walking Along the “Roman Road” to Salvation

Look It Up: Romans 1:20-21, 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-10, 10:13, 11:36

You find the plan of salvation throughout the New Testament, but the Book of Romans provides a grand sequence of all the important steps. Commonly nicknamed the Roman Road, this series of successive steps begins with an awareness of your sin, explains how Christ meets your need, and shows you how you can receive salvation in Christ. (See Chapter 3 for more discussion on salvation.) These verses introduce you to the following Christian concepts:

All people know right and wrong (1:20-21).

For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.

All people have sinned (3:23).

For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.

God still loves people in spite of their sin (5:8).

But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God provides a way out of consequences of sin by giving a gift (6:23).

For the wages of sin is death. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s gives this gift (salvation) to whoever believes in him (10:9-10).

If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.

Salvation is based on a simple call of faith (10:13).

Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

In response, people should make Jesus Lord of their lives (11:36).

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.