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5. “Note, too, that the New Testament wasn't designed as a catechism. Its
various parts were written to people who already were Christians, so it couldn't
have been intended as the sole source of religious teaching. After all, these
people did not become Christians by reading the New Testament — it didn't exist
yet!”6
This is yet another deceptive statement. While many of the books of what is now
called the New Testament today were written to various Christian assemblies,
the context of the books contain the one and only and complete gospel of
salvation.
I
Corinthians 15:1-4 Now I recall to
your minds, brethren, the gospel that I preached to you,
which also you received, wherein also you stand, through which also you are
being saved, if you hold it fast, as I preached it to you - unless you have
believed to no purpose. For I delivered to you first of all, what I also
received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he
was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures,
2
Timothy 3:15 For from thy infancy thou hast known the Sacred Writings, which
are able to instruct thee unto salvation by the faith which is in Christ
Jesus.
Romans 10:9
For if thou confess with thy mouth that Jesus is the Lord, and believe in thy
heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Titus 3:4-5
But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared, then not by
reason of good works that we did ourselves but according to his mercy, he saved
us through the bath of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit;
Ephesians 2:5-9
Even when we were dead by reason of our sins,
brought us to life together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and
raised us up together, and seated us together in heaven in Christ Jesus, that he
might show in the ages to come the overflowing riches of his grace in kindness
towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and
that not from yourselves, for it is the gift of God; not as the outcome of
works; lest anyone may boast.
In
addition, the scriptures contain the very assurance of one’s salvation.
Since Rome denies the Biblical teaching of salvation solely by faith in the
finished work of our Saviour, it also denies the present assurance of our
salvation.
I John 5:9-13
If we receive the testimony of men, the
testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God which is greater,
that he has borne witness concerning his Son. He who believes in the Son of God
has the testimony of God in himself. He who does not believe the Son, makes
him a liar; because he does not believe the witness that God has borne
concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal
life; and this life is in his Son. He who has not the Son has the life. He
who has not the Son has not the life. These things I am writing to you that
yon may know that you have eternal life - you who believe in the name of the
Son of God.
John 5:24 "Amen, amen I say to you, he who hears
my word; and believes him who sent me, has life everlasting, and does not
come to judgment; but has passed from death to life.
1Karl
Keating, Catholics, Fundamentalists, and the Bible, (Los Angeles,
Franciscan Communications), p.6
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