The Heart of the New Testament: A Message of Redemption and Renewal

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Overview

The central theme woven through the 27 books of the New Testament is Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.

The Divine Son of God became one of us – Emmanuel to do what the broken world is not able to do for themselves.

As the Lamb of God, He has borne the sins of every individual from Adam down the line of His second coming. Thus the heart of infinite love paid the price with His life (aka blood).

Additionally, the atoning sacrifice of Jesus is the unifying theme of the New Testament. His death on the cross demonstrates the infinite love of the Godhead (Father and the Son) for humanity.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16, 17.

This is God’s appointed way for the salvation and restoration of humanity. The Father and the Son completed their plan of redemption, devised even before the creation of humankind.

This article explains and shows examples about blending of the Old Testament Scriptures’ themes with the New, unfolding Jehovah’s eternal purpose for His creation.

Additionally, it will help you perceive clearly the New Testament explanations of the Old. Thus seeing Jesus Christ of the gospel dispensation portrayed in the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures.

And ultimately, receiving by faith Christ as you Redeemer, fulfilling the words:

As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name. John 1:12.

The all-embracing message of love
Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
Living and unwavering faith and trust in God
The work of the Holy Spirit
Renewal of heart in the new spiritual birth
The New Testament has not changed the Law of God
Glorious hope in the second coming of Christ
Questions about New Testament core topics answered
Conclusion

The all-embracing message of love

It can be summarized as the good news (gospel) and demonstrated through Jesus’:

Life, teaching, healing and sacrificial death.
Resurrection and High Priestly ministry,

God offers forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with Him, and eternal life in His kingdom on acceptance of His beloved Son.

At its core, the New Testament proclaims that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah and the Son of God who came to redeem and renew a sinner.

This is the amazing and wonderful Gift of God presented to everyone out of His love.

For example:

God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9.

God so loved the world and the world has seen it as He crucified Himself in the person of His Son.

Thus the heart of the Infinite Love has paid the price of human redemption. Therefore, every New Testament book portraits God’s love in its own specific way.

John 3:16

Likewise they convey God’s instruction to His people to love each other. The startling example is the moral Law of God.

The Law reflects God’s nature and loving attributes. It is established on the principle of love – to love God with all your being and others as you love yourself.

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Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord

The narrative of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, establishes the foundation of this theme. They are giving details on Jesus’:

Miraculous birth.
Authoritative teachings and compassionate miracles.
Crucifixion, resurrection and ascension.
Second coming.

These accounts present Christ as the Divine Son of God whose blood was shed for the sins of humanity.

Additionally, not merely as a prophet or a good teacher, or one of many martyrs for a good cause. But the spotless Lamb of God, who took the cup full of the world’s iniquity.

Thus He became your Savior, who endured the cross for the joy to be with you for eternity. At God’s appointed time He will come again to receive you in the Kingdom of Glory.

For example:

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I Am, there ye may be also. John 14:3.

Christians have today a complete chain of evidence running through both testaments. In the one pointing to a Saviour to come, and in the other fulfilling the conditions of that prophecy.

Acts 16:31

All this is sufficient to establish the faith of those who are willing to believe. God gave opportunity to everyone to develop faith in:

His power, and the power of His Son.
The work of the Holy Spirit.

Thus we have a constant confidence in Jesus, with a daily experience in His power to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. Hebrews 7:25.

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Living and unwavering faith and trust in God

The light of truth in Scriptures points to Jesus Christ.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39.

Thus linking together the Old and the New Testament Scriptures, Christ is presented as the author and finisher of our faith.

The one in whom everyone’s hope of eternal life is centered.

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

It is available to humans by accepting His Only-begotten Son as their Savior through faith.

This is God’s appointed way of bestowing His powerful gifts to humanity. Believer’s faith is a gift of God, which He grants freely, and out of His love.

Therefore, Christ’s atoning sacrifice is the pivotal point for hope. Upon this we must fix our faith.

Galatians 2:20

Thus we find rest in Christ’s love, demonstrated on the cross, coming to Him as erring and sinful people.

God accepts everyone that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of the crucified Saviour.

And salvation by grace through faith is a cornerstone theme of the New Testament message. It is mainly presented by apostle Paul in his letters (e.g., Romans, Ephesians, Galatians).

He teaches that salvation is a gift from God. It cannot be earned through good works or religious rituals.

But is received by trusting in Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes the sin of the world on the cross.

Furthermore, it is by beholding Him in your daily life that you join Him in a perpetual covenant. For example:

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.

Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2: 6, 7.

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The work of the Holy Spirit

The disciples’ minds were illuminated by surrendering themselves to the Holy Spirit’s power. They realized that the mighty God, clad in the garb of humanity, was among them.

In harmony with the Word of God, His Spirit continues its work throughout the entire period of the gospel dispensation.

Thus the promise of Jesus to send the Holy Spirit after His ascension and to be always with His followers fulfills day after day. For example:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; But whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak. And he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me. For he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:13, 14.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Romans 8:14. Galatians 4:6.

God’s Word has a depth of meaning which only His Spirit can reveal to us. For instance:

The things of God know no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; That we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:11, 12.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. For they are foolish unto him. Neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16.

Therefore, we communicate to others what we have received, giving them the benefits of our experience.

Thus when feeding on His Word we’ll not be carried away from His truth by:

Philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8.

Moreover, holding onto His strength through His Spirit will be sufficient for every temptation we experience.

1 John 4:3

My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Renewal of heart in the new spiritual birth

We saw that the Holy Spirit is the only effective teacher of divine truth. When the Spirit sets the truth home in the heart, it will then quicken the conscience or transform life.

Furthermore, then the soul falls upon the Rock and it is broken. Thus God connects the soul with Himself. For example:

Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6.

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. 1 Corinthians 2:4.

In the heart renewed by the Divine Spirit, love is the ruling principle of action. So this love:

Modifies the character after the pattern Jesus Christ.
Controls the passions and ennobles the affections by following the same example.

Additionally, his love is only found in the heart where Jesus reigns. For example:

We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

So the Spirit conforms the renewed heart to the model Jesus Christ. Thus the Old Testament promise found in the book of Ezekiel comes to fulfillment:

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26.

The New Testament has not changed the Law of God

In other words, there’s no record from the inspired writings of the New Testament that God has changed His moral Law.

The Law is the transcript of who God really is. And God has not changed His love toward you.

God is the embodiment of love. For example:

He that loveth not knoweth not God; For God is love.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:8, 10.

It is His constant desire to do good and bless humanity in their sinful and mortal state.

Because of this state, the Law of the Ten Commandments has been given out of His love for guidance and protection.

The same Law is based on the principle of love to God and love to each other. For example:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:36-40.

So, the moral Law of God remains unchanged as His love hasn’t changed. Paul said in the book of Romans: Love is fulfilling the law. In other words the law is all love.

Jesus demonstrated that in His life and more so in His unselfish love to others, even by the death on the cross.

Jesus pronounced a benediction to those who keep His Father’s law:

Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14.

Glorious hope in the second coming of Christ

The New Testament does not present a new religion, but advances and unfolds the Old. For example:

Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:25.

To him was committed the message of the second coming of Christ. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all. Jude 14, 15.

Jesus had spoken to His disciples of His second advent to the world, recorded in the book of Matthew.

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:31-34.

The Communion service points to Christ’s second coming. It was designed to keep this hope in the minds of the disciples of all time. Ford example:

And when he had given thanks, he broke the bread, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you. This you do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26.
But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it again with you in my Father’s kingdom. Matthew 26:29

Christ also told His disciples the story of the ten virgins. By their experience He was illustrating the experience of the church just before His second coming.

He also spoke about certain signs that were to show when His coming was near. He gave a warning to his followers to watch and be ready.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matthew 25:13.

And ultimately, for those who are eager to see Him, the promise will come to fruition.

And it shall be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isaiah 25:9.

Questions about New Testament core topics answered

These FAQs gather NT based answers. They are meant to be clear, presenting such important matters in all aspects.

So you can understand what Scripture actually teaches. Each answer is rooted in key passages, supporting each other.

They are not an exhaustive list, but rather leading and informative.

Contents

What is the central message of the New Testament?
Who is Jesus according to the New Testament?
How is a person saved?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit?

What is the central message of the New Testament?

The unifying message from Matthew to Revelation is the story of Jesus and His salvation to the world.

It is through His incarnation, life, sacrificial death, resurrection and High Priestly ministry. (Matthew 1:16, 23; 26:28; John 1:29; 4:25, 26; John 11:25; Acts 1:22; Hebrews 2:17; 4:14).

All those demonstrate in a powerful way the infinite love of the Father and the Son for humanity. (John 14:21-24; 15:9; 16:27; Romans 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 John 3:1).

They devised and completed on the cross this broken world’s salvation. (John 1:29; 3:15, 16; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

And this is the “good news” (gospel) of the New Testament. (Mark 1:15; 13:10; Luke 4:18; Romans 15:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

This “Gospel” shows the power of God to save sinners (Romans 1:16). Christ died once and for all on the cross, taking the sin of everyone. (John 1:29; Hebrews 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:15).

His broken heart and shed blood was the ransom for the sin of humanity. (Matthew 26:28; Luke 1:77; Ephesians 1:7). For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23-25).

He was buried and raised on the third day as the “First fruit” of all those worthy of the “First resurrection”. (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Acts 4:2; Revelation 20:5, 6).

Jesus ascended to heaven as High Priest of His disciples, interseeding and cleansing their soul temple. (Mark 16:19; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).

He will come again to reward the righteous – resurrected and alive with eternal life in the new heaven and earth. (John 5:28, 29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Revelation 21).

Summary

The central message of the New Testament books is Jesus Christ. They encompass all that He has done to save the fallen humanity. His atoning sacrifice – once and for all is the ransom paid for the sin of the world.

After His resurrection Christ ascended to heaven, interceding for His people as High Priest. He will come again to reward them with eternal life.

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Who is Jesus according to the New Testament?

The New Testament identifies Jesus as fully God and fully human:

The Divine Son of God:
- Jesus’ own claims to be the Son of God, coming down from heaven. (Matthew 16:13; Mark 14:62; John 3:13; 6:33; 6:38).
- God the Father witnessing for His beloved Son (Matthew 3:17; 12:18; 17:5).
- He is the exact image of His person (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:15).
- The Son is the Creator of heaven and earth (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).
- In Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).
- He is equal with God the Father, being with Him for eternity (John 1:1, 10:30; Philippians 2:6).
- He is recognised as the Son of the living God by Satan, demons and people. (Matthew 4:6; Mark 3:11; Matthew 16:16).

The Son of man:
- Jesus’ own statements, explaining His mission – why He was incarnated in humanity. (Matthew 5:17; 9:13; 16:27; 18:11; 25:31; John 9:39; 12:46; 14:6; 18:37;
- He is the son of Joseph and Mary, born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod. He will be called Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:16; 2:1; Acts 16:314; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 1:9).
- With His incarnation, He became “God with us – Emmanuel”, stooping down to our level to help us, revealing the character of the Father. (Matthew 1:23; 11:27; John 1:18).
- Jesus went to all places possible, teaching, healing, casting out demons, doing good and testifying as the One sent from God. (Matthew 4:23; Acts 10:38).
- Christ was the prophesied Messiah from the tribe of Judah, born in human nature, atoning as the Lamb of God for the sins of everyone. (John 1:29; 4:25, 26; Romans 5:11; Revelation 5:5).
- On the cross, Jesus took the sin of the world in His body and shed His blood as ransom for it. (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 2:24)
- He was resurrected on the third day as He prophesied and ascended to heaven. (John 11:25; Acts 1:22; 4:33; 1 Corinthians 15:21).

Summary

The New Testament gives a broad and an extensive answer on the question who Jesus Christ is.

Its texts portrait Him as the Divine Son of God. They also describe Jesus as being born in and a member of the human family.

He is the Creator of humankind and their home planet. Jesus is fully God abiding in the counsels of the Godhead.

The Son of God was incarnated in human nature to redeem this fallen and broken world. He became people’s substitute, sacrificing His life for their sin on the cross.

How is a person saved?

Each and everyone born on this planet, without exception, till the end of time is saved from sin and death by Jesus Christ.

He is the Savior of every person by His atoning sacrifice on the cross. (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; Hebrews 9:26).

This is the Gift of God’s beloved Son to the world (John 3:16, 17; 12:47; Acts 4:12). It is given by God’s grace – the Father and the Son, and out of their love for humanity (John 3:16; Acts 15:11; Ephesians 2:8).

They have pledged even before creation to help humankind (Matthew 25:34; Hebrews 9:26; Revelation 13:8). And their purpose came to fruition in the fullness of time (2 Timothy 1:9, 10; 1 Peter 1:20).

Salvation is perfect and complete in Christ, as He is perfect (Romans 3:22;1 Timothy 1:15). Therefore, no fallen human or celestial being can earn it, nor claim contribution. (Romans 3:23, 24).

Here are some guiding examples from Jesus and NT writers on a personal level:

Believe, have unwavering faith in Jesus. He is able to save you to the utmost (Matthew 1:21; Hebrews 7:25).
Jesus said to some of the people He had healed miraculously: Thy faith has saved thee (Luke 7:50). Believe that He can heal you from the burden of sin.
Confess Him and believe in the power of His cross, and the hope of His resurrection (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 1:18).
Don’t wait to get better. Jesus came to save sinners. It is not of your work of righteousness, but of His mercy He saves you. (Titus 3:5).
Believe that your salvation and its outcome of eternal life is found only in Christ and no other. (John 3:16, 17; 3:36).
Lay apart worldliness and receive with meekness God’s Word, leading you to salvation. (Acts 13:26; Ephesians 1:13; 6:17; James 1:21).

Summary

Salvation by grace through faith is a cornerstone theme of the NT message. Its writers teach that salvation is a gift from God.

It is received by trusting in Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes the sin of the world on the cross. Moreover, it cannot be earned through good works or religious rituals.

Thus by the grace of God the person is justified for the past through faith in His blood. And all one’s sins are forgiven.

By beholding Christ in your daily life, abiding in His teachings and the help of His Spirit, you join Him by faith in a perpetual covenant, until He comes.

What is the role of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus and the apostles outlined the work of the Holy Spirit. This work is throughout the entire period of the gospel dispensation.

The Spirit of God who anointed Jesus for His mission is promised to His disciples of all time. (Luke 4:18). The Holy Spirit came to the early disciples, preparing them for spreading the gospel on a global scale. (Acts 1:8)

Jesus’ direct statements

(John 6:63; 15:26; 16:13, 14; Acts 1:8):

The Spirit will glorify Jesus as He glorified His Father.
Testifying of Him, continuing the work in the same line He did.
Guiding His disciples into all the truth of Scriptures, empowering them to witness for Jesus.
The Spirit teaches and brings to remembrance Christ’s testimonies.
Quickening the conscious and revealing the future till He comes, and of eternal life.
The Spirit interacts on a personal level as Jesus did – comforting, teaching, enlightening, empowering, healing, prompting, and convincing of sin.

Apostle’s writings

(John 14:17; 3:5; Acts 2:17, 18; 8:5-7; 8:29-39; 10:19; 11:12; 1:7; Romans 8:9, 14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-10; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 4:23, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:22 ):

The Spirit facilitates the new spiritual birth.
Dwells in Christ disciples after their hearts are renewed.
The Spirit is poured out on God’s servants at the last days, endowing spiritual gifts.
Spirit’s power rests on Christ’s disciples to do similar miracles as Jesus did, and for advancing the gospel.
The Holy Spirit chooses whom to use and not the other way around.
God gives specific commands to His people by the Spirit for doing or going to a place or not.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are His children. They reflect the image of Jesus, showing the fruits of the Spirit in character.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16.

Summary

Christ and apostles describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the entire gospel dispensation. The Holy Spirit is the Gift for Christ’ disciples of all time. They receive by the work of the Spirit:

Inner transformation and heart renewal, exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit in daily life.
Spiritual discernment and gifts to bless others, guidance and witnessing power.

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In conclusion

The New Testament centers on Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice, showcasing His divine love and redemption for humanity.

It emphasizes that faith in Christ leads to salvation and eternal life.

The Holy Spirit enables believers to understand spiritual truths. Through the grace of this Divine presence they have their character transformed in the likeness of Jesus.

The New Testament blends and expands on the Old Testament themes and God’s unchanging moral Law based on love.

About the author

Bojko Belovsky

Founder of God’sLOVE Gateway

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