What’s involved in really understanding the New Testament?

[ZacharyB]

 

1 – We must have the precious Holy Spirit indwelling us

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,

He will teach you all things …” (John 14:26, NKJV)

 

2 – We must be hearing the still small voice of the Holy Spirit

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14, NASB)

The NASB is the most literal translation that I’m aware of.

IMO, most other translations have totally missed the correct verb tense in this verse!

As a result, some believers think that when they were “led” by the Spirit, it was a one-time deal.

 

3 – We really need to understand Paul’s method of writing to the churches

IMO, during his 17 years in the desert regions, Paul was trained by God how to deal with the churches!

He was told to be extremely tactful in presenting his warnings so as to NOT discourage the sheep.

Especially the new believers! … He was told to mix these warnings in with copious amounts of

edifications, exhortations, encouragements, blessings, promises, etc. … but he ended up with

making some exaggerations and hopeful pronouncements, some of them being close to lies.

Yes, the warnings are “somewhat hidden” amongst all of the positive stuff … with the result that

many believers (because of their biases, false doctrines, etc.) do NOT even notice the warnings!

 

4 – We need to understand WHO is being addressed in the letters to the churches

Believers should be NOT thinking, “Everything written to the churches is about me!”

This is most certainly NOT true for believers who are sinning habitually (without repentance).

Habitual sinners are NOT living according to the Spirit, and are NOT being led by the Spirit.

Habitual sinners are NOT putting to death the deeds of the body, and hence will NOT live.

Habitual sinners are NOT walking according to the Spirit,

so therefore they are NOT “in Christ”, but ARE under condemnation.

Habitual sinners are NOT part of the “faithful” who Paul wrote to in Ephesus and Colossae.

 

5 – We need to understand HOW spiritual truths are supposed to be taught to believers

In point 3, we see why many of the truths (esp. the warning ones) are not obviously stated.

Yes indeed, Jesus’ sheep are at all different levels of spiritual understanding and maturity.

The Holy Spirit is the One who reveals spiritual truths to those who are open and ready to receive them.

God intended that the NT churches would show subsequent generations how they should teach believers.

The 5-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11) were anointed by God to teach both the basic and the deeper truths.

IMO, all of these God-appointed church leaders were anointed with of the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

These special leaders were LED by God’s Spirit in what truths to teach, and when, where, to whom, etc.

However, church history is filled with church leaders who were appointed by themselves or by other men!

And the result has been dead churches that teach “the doctrines of men” (what Paul warned about).

 

6 – We need to read between the lines, connect the dots, think outside the box, etc.

We have to be OPEN to receive spiritual truth, which may NOT be what we were taught previously

Because, we have been put in a small narrow box which contains at least a few false doctrines!

 

We need to combine all of the NT, e.g. “the just shall live by faith” and “faith without works is dead”.

 

Here is one of my favorite examples, which is totally missed by most believers.

 

• Romans 6 is all about those believers in Rome who continue to be slaves of sin …

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!”  (6:1-2)

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” (6:15)

 

• Paul says it is critical that they become slaves of obedience (instead of being slaves of sin) …

“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey,

you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether (slaves) of sin leading to death (#2288),

or (slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness?” (6:16)

“death” Strong’s #2288 “thanatos” – “the separation of man from God …

Rom 5:12, John 5:24, 1 John 3:14” (from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

 

• He says they WERE slaves of sin, but now they ARE slaves of righteousness (potentially) …

“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin …

having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (6:17-18)

 

• Next, he instructs them to present their bodies as slaves of righteousness …

“… so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (6:19)

With the desired result being “… holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” (6:22)

 

• Then, Paul gives his final warning, but softens it by reminding them why it’s critical to be found “in Christ”.

“For the wages of sin is death (#2288), but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (6:23)

 

• Here’s what’s going on in Romans 6 …

Paul knows that NOW they are no longer in bondage to sin (6:18), i.e. they are no longer slaves of sin,

because they have been given a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17).

But, because of their sinning lifestyle, he sees the great need to inform them (remind them?)

it is critical that they choose who they will be slaves of NOW … sin or obedience!

They are FREE TO CHOOSE to be slaves of sin, which results in eternal death (6:16, 6:21, 6:23),

or to be slaves of obedience which leads to righteousness, holiness, eternal life (6:16, 6:19, 6:22).

 

In the NT, believers are given many conditional “IF” choices … and we should

realize that both the positive and negative results of one’s choices are possible.

Edited March 23, 2017 by ZacharyB