New Testament

New Testament features Bible-based articles that help readers understand the message of Jesus, the early church, and the teaching of the apostles. Explore resources on the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation—covering historical context, key themes, doctrine, and practical application for discipleship and ministry. You’ll find guidance for studying passages faithfully, tracing the gospel story, and applying New Testament teaching to church life, ethics, and everyday following of Christ. This hub supports readers who want to grow in Scripture and live out the truth of the New Testament.

May 25, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 31, 2015: The Greatest Is Love (1 Corinthians 13)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the May 24 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  This week concludes a study of key passages in Paul”s first letter to the church in Corinth. Members of this first-century congregation had written Paul with several questions. We have considered some of their concerns in past weeks. Today”s study of 1 Corinthians 13 is best understood when we realize that it is sandwiched in with a discussion of spiritual gifts

April 27, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 3, 2015: Work Together for the Truth (3 John)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the April 26 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  The three short letters sent from the apostle John to first-century Christians were likely all written about the same time. Reading 3 John, the shortest book in the Bible, we see that it is similar to 2 John, but it is more specific in naming the individuals involved. Salutation | 3 John 1 The addressee, Gaius, is a friend of John”s and

April 24, 2015

Christian Standard

Believing Is Seeing

By Robert F. Hull Jr. “Seeing is believing,”Âť we say, but in the logic of the Gospel of John, it works the other way around: Believing is seeing. It is true Peter and John did not believe Jesus had risen from the dead until they entered the tomb and saw the abandoned grave clothes (John 20:6-8). It is also true Mary Magdalene and 10 of the disciples were permitted to see the risen Lord. But was this a privilege all disciples should have? Thomas seemed to think so. He wanted the same experience the other disciples had, or an even greater

April 20, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for April 26, 2015: Watch Out for Deceivers (1 John 5:6-12,18-20; 2 John)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the April 19 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Deceivers are all around us. While the last two letters from the apostle John are characterized by his emphasis on the importance of love (as in 1 John), he was equally strong in his warnings about false teaching””2 and 3 John are the shortest documents in the New Testament, but they address serious and important issues. Although they deal with

April 13, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for April 19, 2015: Trust in God’s Love (1 John 4, 5)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the April 12 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  It is easy to understand why John has often been referred to as “the apostle of love.”Âť That theme runs throughout the letters that he wrote to the first-century church. Today”s text is the third time in this epistle when John described love as the supreme test of the Christian life (1 John 2:7-11; 3:11-18). In 1 John 4 he emphasized

April 6, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for April 12, 2015: Love One Another (1 John 3:11-24)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the April 5 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Love is the hallmark of God”s community. It is also the theme of the apostle John”s epistles. The first-century believers to whom John wrote received tremendous encouragement as well as great challenge from his inspired words. Love as Action | 1 John 3:11-18 In the verses just before our printed text, John affirmed the greatness of the Father”s love for his children:

April 3, 2015

Christian Standard

Peace Commission

By Robert F. Hull Jr. According to the Gospel of John, it was at his last meal with the disciples that Jesus offered them the gift of his peace and told them not to be afraid (John 14:27). But that was before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. A few days later they were huddled in a room with the door locked, very much afraid and not at peace. Suddenly the risen Jesus stood before them and said to them, “Peace be with you!”Âť (John 20:19). He showed them his hands and his side, and said again, “Peace be with you!

March 30, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for April 5, 2015: Believe in the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-22)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the March 29 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Often 1 Corinthians 15 is described as the “resurrection chapter”Âť of the Bible. Tom Friskney wrote, “There is no other chapter like this in the whole Bible; the hope of Christianity resides within it. . . . We may wonder why Paul has waited until now to discuss it. . . . It is not last because it is least,

March 23, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 29, 2015: The Son of David (Mark 11:1-11)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the March 22 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  The “triumphal entry”Âť of Jesus into Jerusalem is significant for many reasons. It is one of the few events in his life that is recorded in all four Gospels. It marked the beginning of his last week on the earth. For three years he had taught and lived God”s message for the world. While his popularity was extremely high among the

March 21, 2015

Christian Standard

Jesus Killed a Tree

By Tim Harlow I don”t fancy myself an extreme environmentalist. I”m not a “tree hugger,”Âť but I do respect nature. I have cut down a few trees that were past their prime, and I once accidently killed a small one with a golf cart, but I do love trees. Where I live, the only trees are ones someone planted. So the story of Jesus “zapping”Âť a tree is fascinating to me. Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it

January 9, 2015

Christian Standard

He Identifies with Us

By H. Lynn Gardner   Jesus shared flesh and blood with us. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:17, 18)*. Timothy Keller explains, in The Reason for God, Christianity alone among the world religions claims that God became uniquely and fully human in Jesus Christ and therefore knows firsthand despair,

February 7, 2014

Christian Standard

Powerful Reminders from Passionate Events

By Tom Claibourne   Twenty-six verses. Mark 14:1-26 comprises less than a third of the chapter, but it is filled with a whirlwind of passionate emotions and events. “¢ We see envy, fear, anger, deception, malice, hatred, and evil plots: “The chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill Him”Âť (v. 1). “¢ We see gratitude, love, a sacrificial offering, some misunderstanding, an explanation, and a gospel message for the ages: A woman touched by the grace of God offered an expensive expression of love and gratitude to Jesus by anointing him

December 16, 2013

Shawn McMullen

The Father Was There

By Shawn McMullen We see Jesus Christ as the focal point of the final week, the main character in the drama of redemption. From the triumphal entry to the resurrection, our eyes are fixed on him. We picture him during his last days on earth cleansing the temple, teaching the masses, and warning hypocrites. We follow him as he observes the Passover, prays in the garden, and suffers a friend”s betrayal. Our hearts ache over his abandonment, arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Following Christ in his final week helps us appreciate the scope of his sacrifice and the depth of his

December 9, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 15, 2013: Zechariah Prophesies About His Son John (Luke 1:57-80)

By Sam E. Stone It had been 400 years since the last of the Old Testament prophets appeared on the scene in Israel. The angel Gabriel”s announcement””first to Zechariah, then to Mary””broke Heaven”s silence. When Zechariah was told that he and his elderly wife, Elizabeth, would be the parents of a son (John), the old priest was incredulous. Because he asked the angel for a sign, he was unable to speak from that moment on. On the other hand, when Mary learned that she would be the mother of the Messiah, she humbly submitted herself to be the Lord”s slave.

December 2, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 8, 2013: Mary Sings Her Praise (Luke 1:46-56)

By Sam E. Stone When Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, she learned that God had selected her to be the mother of his Son. After receiving this message she traveled to see her relative Elizabeth who lived many miles away from Nazareth, down in Judea. Elizabeth had also received a message from the Lord. Although she was childless and of advanced age, God promised to answer her prayer for a son (Luke 1:5-25). The son of Elizabeth and Zechariah would be called John the Baptist, sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. Last week”s lesson

November 25, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 1, 2013: The Angel Foretells Jesus” Birth (Luke 1:26-45)

By Sam E. Stone For the next two months our lessons are taken from Luke”s Gospel, presenting “Jesus and the Just Reign of God.”Âť Luke is the longest of the four Gospels and, in fact, is the longest book in the New Testament. Angels are shown throughout to be special messengers from God. Early in chapter one, Luke records the visit of the angel Gabriel when he brought hope to a priest, Zechariah (Luke 1:8-23). He and his wife, Elizabeth, had no children and they were “both well along in years.”Âť The angel told him his wife would bear a

December 24, 2012

Christian Standard

Have a Mary Christmas

By Victor M. Parachin Although Mary, the mother of Jesus, became an important focus of theology and piety in the history of Christianity, she is seldom mentioned in the New Testament. Mary is never mentioned explicitly in the New Testament letters, and only once each in the books of Acts and Mark. She is involved in two stories in the Gospel of John, but the writer never identifies her by name. Yet, in Luke”s account of Jesus” birth, Mary is a bright and shining star. Luke writes eloquently about the character and strength of Mary, suggesting Mary”s words and actions

March 19, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 25, 2012: Nicodemus Learns of New Birth (John 3:1-25; Numbers 21:4-9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Early in his Gospel, John introduces the reader to a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He is mentioned only in John”s Gospel””but here he is seen on three occasions (3:1-10; 7:50-52; l9:39). The Pharisees tried to strictly observe the Law of Moses. Jesus referred to him as “Israel”s teacher”Âť (3:10), suggesting the respect in which he was held by the people. In addition, he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the select group of priests, elders, and scribes

March 12, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 18, 2012: Water Turned to Wine (John 2:1-12)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Last week we studied the introduction to the fourth Gospel, the Prologue. John told next how Jesus began his ministry by being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (John 1:19-34). Then he began choosing his disciples. Andrew and Peter were the first to follow Jesus (vv. 35-42). Next he called Philip and Nathanael (vv. 43-51). Today”s text immediately follows these events.   Hope for a Miracle John 2:1-6 On the third day a

March 5, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 11, 2012: The Word Became Flesh (John 1:1-18)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Before the world was created, God existed. The first words of the first book in the Bible read, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”Âť (Genesis 1:1). John”s Gospel starts by affirming this truth. Since his was the last of the four Gospels to be written, John took an approach different from the other three. In today”s text, he takes us from eternity past to eternity present.   The Word in Eternity John

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