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.

February 20, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Feb. 26, 2012: Bearing the Fruit of Redemption (Galatians 5:2″“6:18)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This week we conclude a four-week survey of the book of Galatians. This also is the final lesson under this quarter”s general topic, “God establishes a faithful people.” The Christians in Galatia had to contend with false teachers who insisted on the legalism of first-century Judaism. They taught that a person first had to become a Jew before he could become a Christian. Paul pointed out that this was never the case (Galatians 2:6-9; see Acts

February 13, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Feb. 19, 2012: Inheriting Abraham”s Promise (Galatians 3:15″“5:1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to correct false teaching that had influenced the church. Some insisted that Christians must observe everything in the Old Testament law. This month”s lessons refute this idea. No one can be justified by observing the law (Galatians 2:16). The law had an important purpose, however, although the law itself was not to be permanent. Even when God gave the Old Testament law to Israel, it is clear that it

February 6, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Feb. 12, 2012: Blessed with Abraham (Galatians 3:1-14)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul continues his warning to the Galatian Christians in today”s text. In last week”s lesson he asserted that “a man is not justified by observing the law” (Galatians 2:16). This by itself should have silenced the Judaizers who insisted that a Gentile must first become a Jew before he could become a Christian. It is self-defeating for a person to return to the Old Testament regulations while saying he trusts in Jesus and follows him.  

January 30, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Feb. 5, 2012: Justified by Faith in Christ (Galatians 1, 2)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone During the first two months of this quarter, we studied how God established an everlasting covenant with his people. Lessons from Genesis and Exodus showed the Lord protecting the Israelites, just as he had promised. This month we will study Paul”s letter to the Galatians, showing that Gentile Christians are now a full-fledged part of God”s family also. The Galatians had been led astray from the original gospel. A group known as the Judaizers were telling

December 19, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Dec. 25, 2011: The Lord Keeps His Promise (Luke 1:26″“2:7; Galatians 3:6-18)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ The Lord Keeps His Promise (Luke 1:26″“2:7; Galatians 3:6-18) By Sam E. Stone God always keeps his promises. The life of Abraham provides an excellent illustration of this. In recent weeks, we saw an elderly, childless couple become parents. Moving forward 2,000 years, today”s lesson reveals that from their descendants came God”s own Son, bringing the hope of salvation for all people. The first section of our text is part of Mary”s song after she learned that she would give

November 21, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Nov. 27, 2011: Facing Life Without Worry (Matthew 6:19-34)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 27) is written by Phil Roberts, who serves with Hill-N-Dale Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. ____________ Facing Life Without Worry (Matthew 6:19-34) By Phil Roberts (Note to teachers: The italicized sections are questions designed to help involve your students in the learning process.) My wife and I are parents of a second grader and a set of triplets (technically, three surviving quadruplets). The triplets are approaching their sixth birthday and recently entered a whole new world called kindergarten. They come home daily from their full-day school with stories and

November 14, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Nov. 20, 2011: Praying Sincerely (Matthew 6:1-18)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 20) is written by Jim Littlejohn, pastoral care minister at Connection Pointe Christian Church in Brownsburg, Indiana. ____________ Praying Sincerely (Matthew 6:1-18) By Jim Littlejohn There seems to be a growing number of books about who we are when no one is looking. Our true character jumps up when our guard is let down. Even though we need accountability, the other side of the coin can be just as ugly. How are other people””people we may trust””when we are not looking? For example, ask that question of investors who

November 7, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Nov. 13, 2011: Loving Unconditionally (Matthew 5:38-48)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 13) is written by Ron Mobley, senior minister with Northwest Christian Church in Acworth, Georgia. ____________ Loving Unconditionally (Matthew 5:38-48) By Ron Mobley The classic song from the stage play Carnival begins, “Love makes the world go round.“ If you have paid attention to world news in recent months you realize that if “love makes the world go round,” our planet has nearly come to a screeching halt! If someone asks, “Can you feel the love,” the answer for many in our world must be “NO!”   It”s Personal

October 31, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Nov. 6, 2011: Living in Harmony with Others (Matthew 5:17-37)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 6) is written by David Eichenberger, a graduate of Lincoln (Illinois) Christian University who lives in Louisville, Kentucky. ____________ Living in Harmony with Others (Matthew 5:17-37) By David Eichenberger (Note to teachers: The italicized sections are questions designed to help involve your students in the learning process.)   A much-quoted rhyme provides a fitting description of the challenge of living at peace with those around us: To dwell above with saints we love O, that will be glory; But to dwell below with those we know”” Well, that”s another

October 24, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Oct. 30, 2011: Seeking True Happiness (Matthew 5:1-16)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 30) is written by Jonathan Hentrich, associate pastor with Christ”s Church of the Capital District, Guilderland, New York. ____________ Seeking True Happiness (Matthew 5:1-16) By Jonathan Hentrich I want to be happy. Not just to have little moments of smiles and laughter, but to have true happiness. I crave a confidence deep in my soul to know that I am content, full of purpose, and alive! Like David Thoreau once said, “I want to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.“   Jesus” Definition In today”s

October 22, 2011

Christian Standard

Getting the Most from the Epistles (Part One)

By Matt Proctor Think of them as love letters. Read them out loud like a sermon. Notice the wide range of literary tools their authors employed. Discover the truth and power waiting for every reader in these inspired letters from God. Some time ago, my wife, Katie, and I were rummaging through a box of old college keepsakes. I reached for a large manila envelope, wondering what was inside. Old love letters! I pulled out a thick stack of envelopes Katie had sent me one summer when we were dating. We had been apart all that summer, and I remember waiting eagerly for

September 13, 2011

Christian Standard

Getting the Most from the Gospels (Part Two)

By Matt Proctor In Part One of this article, I explained that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are more than divinely inspired, historically accurate biographies. They are that, to be sure. But each writer”s distinctive approach to telling his material gives us nuance and knowledge we would never have received from one writer alone. This week we consider principles to help us get the fullest meaning possible from what I call these “pastorally interpretive narratives of the life of Christ.”   Read Behind the Lines The first principle of Gospel reading is read behind the lines. In other words, look at the history and culture

September 13, 2011

Christian Standard

Gospel Distinctives

By Matt Proctor MATTHEW 1. His Gospel is primarily (though not exclusively) a Jewish Gospel. There are 65 Old Testament references””21 direct quotations from Isaiah alone. Luke traces Jesus” genealogy from Adam, the father of the human race, but Matthew begins his Gospel with a genealogy going back to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. 2. He does show some interest in Gentiles. Wise men worship Jesus (2:1-12). Many from east and west will feast with Abraham in the kingdom of Heaven (8:11, 12). Christ proclaims justice to the Gentiles (12:18). The Gentiles hope is in Christ (12:21). Christ

September 6, 2011

Christian Standard

Getting the Most from the Gospels (Part One)

By Matt Proctor “Irresistibly drawn to Jesus.” That phrase describes many who have come to faith after reading the Gospels. Most of us love the Gospels because we love Jesus, and the Gospels bring us face to face with him. For some the Gospels are so familiar, though, that they miss truth contained there. A few helps can prevent that from happening. When he was growing up, Vince Antonucci”s parents never took him to church. Maybe it was because his mother was Jewish and his father was a professional gambler. Regardless, he knew nothing about Jesus. He says, “As far

May 23, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 29, 2011: Water of Life (Revelation 22:1-9; 13-17)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for May 29) is written by Ron Arnold, senior pastor with Kaimuki Christian Church in Honolulu, Hawaii. ____________ Water of Life (Revelation 22:1-9, 13-17) By Ron Arnold Water department trucks in Honolulu display the slogan “Pure Water””Our Greatest Need””Conserve It” to remind the people of Hawaii to use this limited resource sparingly. This is true in the islands, and may be true in your area, if we”re talking about the physical realm. It”s only a half-truth in the spiritual realm. In the Scriptures, water is a symbol of life flowing from

May 16, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 22, 2011: New Order of Things (Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for May 22) is written by Melissa Wuske, an editor for F+W Media in Cincinnati, Ohio. ____________ New Order of Things (Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27) By Melissa Wuske My grandpa recently died after a far-too-long battle with Alzheimer”s disease. After decades as a faithful husband, father, and leader in the church, he spent the last decade or so of his life struggling to think or speak or remember. He spent the last few years unable to leave his bed on his own, unable to perform the basic daily functions that adults and

May 9, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 15, 2011: Thankful Worship (Revelation 7:9-17)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for May 15) is written by Phil Roberts who serves with Hill-N-Dale Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. ____________ Thankful Worship (Revelation 7:9-17) By Phil Roberts Consider these two questions: 1. What is the richest worship you”ve ever experienced? Maybe it still brings tears to your eyes””that worship service where it seemed praise just flowed from you, where you experienced the majesty of God the Father. 2. What is the most difficult time of trial through which the Lord has brought you? Maybe it still brings tears to your eyes””that time it

April 12, 2009

Christian Standard

Evan Meets Easter

  By Evan Lowen As a teenager who enjoys the benefits the United States has to offer, I learned the meaning of “culture shock” when I traveled to Africa with my dad. The sights, smells, and experiences will never leave my mind.  The first full day in Nairobi was difficult to digest. My dad and I, along with Erik Wolle and Steve Stewart from our church, went to the very first school created for the kids in the slums. I met Mary and Wallace, who are the most incredible people I”ve ever known. They direct the Hope centers, which include

December 21, 2008

Christian Standard

The Birth That Changed the World

By Victor Knowles   In Frank Capra”s acclaimed and heartwarming 1946 film, It”s a Wonderful Life, God sends an angel named Clarence to earth to show George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) what life would be like if he had never been born. The moral of the movie (this is when movies had morals!) is that each person”s life has value and carries with it the potential of influencing many other lives for good.  In one sense, everyone”s birth somewhat changes the world in which he lives. But in a spiritual and eternal realm, only one birth has truly changed

Secret Link