New Testament Christianity

• By “New Testament Christianity” we are referring to the process whereby one becomes a Christian and to the religion of Christ in General.

• “Christian” occurs three times in the N.T.– Acts 11:26, “the disciples were called Christians..

cf. Isaiah 62:1-2. – Acts 26:28, “almost thou persuadest me to be a

Christian.”– I Peter 4:16, “If any man suffer as a Christian..”

“New Testament Christianity” Involves a Savior!

• Christ is Savior! Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10.• A Savior Who is able to save, John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1-3; 7:25.• A Savior Who is Willing to save, Matt. 11:28-30; 23:37.• A Savior who is Qualified to Save. Because:

– Of Who He is, John 3:16.– Where He is, Acts 2:30-33; Hebrews 8:1; I Peter 3:22.– What He did, I Pet. 2:21-22; Heb. 2:9; Rom. 3:23-26.– What He is doing, Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1.– What He will do, Acts 17:30-31.

• Question: Can we eliminate Christ and still have New Testament Christianity?

“New Testament Christianity”Involves A Guide Book!

• The term “New Testament Christianity” might be contrasted with “Old Testament Judaism.”

• Our Savior Guides us through His New Testament, Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 9:15-17.

• We are not under Old Testament Law.– It has served its purpose, Galatians 3:24-25.– It has been fulfilled, Matthew 5:17-18.– It has been blotted out, Colossians 2:14.– To go back under it is to fall from grace, Gal. 5:4!

• Question: Can we eliminate the New Testament and still have New Testament Christianity?

“New Testament Christianity”Involves A Plan!

• Our Savior, Who Guides us through the New Testament has revealed a plan of action whereby we can be saved!

• This Involves a Three-fold change:– A change of heart, wrought by faith, Acts 15:9.– A change of life, produced by repentance, Acts 11:18;

Matthew 3:7-8. Note also Romans 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:10.– A change of relationship produced by baptism, Galatians

3:27; Romans 6:3-4. Note also 2 Tim. 2:10.• Question: Can we eliminate the plan and still have

New Testament Christianity?

“New Testament Christianity”Involves a (the) Church!

• Our Savior, Who guides us through the N.T. built His Church to which the saved belong!

• The Church described in the New Testament:– Is a part of God’s eternal plan, Eph. 3:3-6, 10-11.– Was built by Jesus Christ, Matthew 16:18.– Was purchased by Christ, Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25.– Has Jesus as its Head, Ephesians 1:22-23.– Constitutes “the saved,” Acts 2:47.– Constitutes the called out, 2 Thess. 1:1; 2:14.– Is the body of which Jesus is “the Savior,” Ephesians 5:23.

• Question: If we eliminate the church described in the New Testament, do we still have New Testament Christianity?

“New Testament Christianity”involves a Life!

• Of Faithful Service!– With regards to worship, Acts 2:42.– With regards to the local church.

• Its Worship.• Its Work.• Its Purity.• Its Unity.

• Of Godly Living! Rom. 6:4; Titus 2:11-12; I Peter 4:15-16.

• Question: If we eliminate the “Life,” do we still have New Testament Christianity?

Conclusion:

• Illus. Suppose you go to a restaurant and order a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. However they substitute crackers for the bread, cabbage leaves for the lettuce, tuna for the bacon, and avocado for the tomato, did you really get a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich?

• When we make substitutions in God’s Pattern for “New Testament Christianity,” do we really have New Testament Christianity??

• Are You a New Testament Christian??