Teachings and Studies by Topic of the New Testament

By Miguel Moreno

When I first became a Christian, and for the first twenty-two years of my life with Christ, I didn't know that I didn't know that I wasn't a mature Christian. I was not taught how to and what it took to grow spiritually and become a spiritually mature Christian.

But even so, I still thought that I was a mature Christian! After all, in all those years, I had come to know and learned a lot of things about the Bible, God's Word, and about God; I even served Him! What I didn't know was that my growth was merely intellectual, but not spiritual. It wasn't until after twenty-two years that God, in His love through His Word and with the help of His Holy Spirit, taught me what it really took for me to grow spiritually.

He taught me the things I needed to go through in order to understand what it takes to become a spiritual mature Christian as well as a true servant of God.

Now He is using me to share His studies in this book so He can help many Christians understand the importance and what it takes to start growing spiritually, not just intellectually, from the moment they believe and receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord as well as the dangers of becoming stagnant or allowing the enemy to take them to a state of conformism in their own spiritual growth.

According to Ephesians 4:13-15, God wants us to get all the way to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ that we all may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ.

So I pray that as you read and study this book, with the help of the Holy Spirit and God's Word, God will show you and help you understand what it takes for you to grow spiritually until you become spiritually mature and until you get to the fullness of Christ so you can become everything that He wants you to become.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798885403368

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Teachings and Studies by Topic of the New Testament

Miguel Moreno

ISBN 979-8-88540-335-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88540-336-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Miguel Moreno

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jude

Introduction

These studies of the New Testament were inspired and given by the Holy Spirit. All the glory belongs to Him. Many have asked the question: Where does a Christian start reading the Bible from?

In Deuteronomy, God told Moses that He was going to raise another prophet like Him from among their fellow Israelites, and that they must listen to Him in all that He had to say because any one who didn't listen to this prophet would be completely cut off from God's people. This prophet God spoke of we know is Jesus (Deuteronomy 18:15–19 and Acts 3:19–23).

Jesus says in Mathew 5:17 that He did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets, but He came to accomplish their purpose and, through that, help us understand the new laws and teachings of the New Testament, or the new covenant as well as the laws of the Old Testament, that we should continue to practice and the ones that we should no longer practice.

For example, in the Old Testament is taught the law of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. In other words, if you do something bad to me, I can do the same thing to you (Exodus 21:23–25). Now, in the New Testament, our Lord Jesus teaches us that we are not to practice that law any longer. Instead, He teaches us in Matthew 5:38–42 that if someone does something bad to us, we should not do the same thing back to them. Instead, Jesus tells us to show the love of God to those who show hate toward us.

Other examples, of the Old Testament laws that Jesus teaches us in the New Testament that we should no longer practice is animal sacrifices since Jesus is now the only and true sacrifice for forgiveness and removal of all sin (Hebrews 10:11–14) and circumcision because now our circumcision is of the heart and no longer of the flesh (Romans 2:28–29). About the Sabbath, Jesus tells us now that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:11–13). There are other examples that Jesus gives us in the New Testament of laws from the Old Testament that we should no longer practice and the ones that we still do as well as the new ones.

That is why as Christians or followers of Christ, we need to start reading, studying, and searching the scriptures, from the New Testament, so we can understand what it really means to be a follower of Christ or His disciple. This is where our Lord Jesus starts teaching us His instructions and commands that He wants us to start doing as His followers. We also need to understand about the Holy Spirit whom God the Father and our Lord Jesus sent to help us in our walk of service to Crist, and to continue the work in us, that our Lord Jesus started with His twelve disciples. Which are, to teach us all things about God through His Word (John 14:25–26). To guide us into all truth, that is, God's truth (John 16:12–15). And to reveal to us, everything about God and Jesus, even the most deep and intimate thigs about them (1 Corinthians 2:10–13). This way, we can achieve or develop the three trajectories that God wants us to develop in our Christian walk. One, to continuously grow spiritually, and become a mature Christian, and not become stuck or reach a state of conformism in our spiritual walk. Two, to develop an intimate relationship with God. Three, to be completely prepared and equipped to serve God in every good work.

Our heavenly Father wants us to start reading His Word from the New Testament, so we can listen to His Son, Jesus Christ, in order to learn and do everything He wants us to do as His followers and as His servants. For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from their people' (Acts 3:22–23 NKJV).

Suggestions on how to study this book, to get the most out of what God has for you and everyone else who studies this book of Teachings and Studies of the New Testament.

This book of teachings and studies by topic of the New Testament can be studied individually or as a group.

First, just like before we study the Bible or any other book or study that teaches us about God and his word, let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us his spiritual wisdom and understanding, to help us understand what we read in his spiritual way and not ours. God sent his Holy Spirit to teach us all things that pertain to him and his word, John 14: 25-26. God sent his Holy Spirit to guide us into all his truth and to help us detect a lie, John 16:12-15. God also sent his Holy Spirit to reveal us, deeper, and more intimate things about himself, Jesus, and his word so we can know him intimatedly and his will. John 16:14-15 and 1 Corinthians 2:10-13.

Second, read first from the Bible, every scripture that every topic starts with, before getting into each study. Read also from the Bible, every scripture written on every topic. Some scriptures might be a little deeper than others.

Third, study one topic at a time, individually or as a group each day.

The purpose is to: study, learn, and live or put into practice his word (in the trials, tests, or temptations that we face daily), James 1:22 and Mark 4:24-25. Because once we understand his word (through our experience or practice in the trials), He wants us to teach it to others, and go, make more disciples for him and his kingdom so they can, in turn, also go and make more disciples..., Matthew 28:18-20 and Timothy 2:1-2.

Matthew

Topic 1: Baptism, why are we baptized? What does baptism mean?

Matthew 3:11–17. In the following scriptures, our Lord Jesus teaches us about baptism, why and for what purpose we are baptized, and the meaning of baptism.

The word baptism (bautizo, in Greek) means to dip, cover something with a liquid, to immerse, submerge, bury, or be completely under water as in the case of Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:16), and not just splash or sprinkle with water. Also to be baptized into something, a faith, or someone into the body of Christ. We will learn more about this when we study 1 Corinthians 12:12–13.

Why are we baptized? God's Word teaches us that every person who believes and receives Jesus as Savior and Lord must also confess Him publicly through baptism (Mark 16:16). We also learn that there are some who out of shame or fear do not confess Him (John 9:22, and 12:42). In Matthew 3:15, our Lord Jesus also teaches us that the reason we are baptized is to fulfill all that our heavenly Father commands us to do. So we get baptized as an act of obedience Matthew 3:14–15.

What is baptism for? In order to understand what is baptism for, we need to understand what baptism is not for. In Matthew 3:11–17, our Lord Jesus Christ clearly teaches us that baptism is not to cleanse or forgive our sins, since He was baptized, but was always without sin. The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He shed on the cross, is what cleanses us from our sins (Revelation 1:5) and forgives us of all our sins (Ephesians 1:7). The moment we believe and receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord is also when we are made a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) and not when we are baptized. Let us look at the example of the criminal who was crucified next to Jesus. He repented and was saved, although He could not be baptized. Like Him, there are some who are on the verge of death or in a situation where they only come to the feet of Christ but do not have the opportunity to be baptized. They, like the criminal, will be taken to paradise. Through their faith in our Lord Jesus, they were made a new creature, cleansed, and forgiven of all sin. Those who do not believe will be condemned Mark 16:16.

The Word of God also teaches us that a person must first believe and receive Jesus Christ as His Savior and Lord before being baptized. That person must have the knowledge or understanding of what baptism is and be aware of what they are doing before they are baptized (Mark 16:15–16, Acts 2:40–41, 8:36–38, and 10:47–48). The Lord Jesus was circumcised and presented by His parents in the temple when He was eight days old (Luke 2:21–23). But He Himself went to get baptized when He was thirty years old (Luke 3:23). That is why the baptism of infants and children who do not yet have the understanding of what they are doing is not biblical.

Topic 2: Temptation. Why are we subject to temptation?

Matthew 4:1–12. In these scriptures, we learn that the Holy Spirit led our Lord Jesus to be tempted by the devil before He began His ministry. Which teaches us that it is necessary that all of us, as servants of Jesus, also go through temptations or trials and thus be tested in order to develop our faith and to grow spiritually. And so that through these trials, we may also be fully prepared to serve Him in whatever gift, calling, or ministry He gives us, through His Spirit. Now, the devil tempts us with the purpose of making us fall and disobey God because He knows that if we do not pass these tests or overcome all temptations, we will not become those useful servants that God wants us to be. In these scriptures, we also learn how Jesus used the mighty weapons that God gave us to overcome all the temptations of the enemy and to be obedient to the Father (fasting, prayer, and His Word). We will study more about these powerful weapons. Romans 5:3–5, James 1:12–15, and 1:2–4, 2 Thessalonians 1:3–5, (Matthew 26:41, 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, 2 Timothy 3:16–17)

Topic 3: The Beatitudes; God wants to bless us greatly.

Matthew 5:1–12. In these scriptures, and throughout God's Word, we learn that all God wants is to bless His creation, His children, and His servants. In Matthew 5:3–12, Jesus teaches us some of these beatitudes—or great and heavenly blessings that are available for those who want to receive them. For the poor in spirit or for those who are poor in the spiritual things of God. For through His Son Jesus, God will give them not only spiritual riches but also His kingdom (2 Peter 1:3–4). For those who mourn or for the ones who mourn for their pains and tribulations who suffer because of the evil that is in this world; for God—through His Son Jesus Christ, His Word, and His Spirit—will comfort them (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). For the meek or for the humble or for those who humble themselves before God and allow themselves to be led by His Spirit, so that through His Word, He may transform them into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ, and thus, they may serve Him and inherit the new earth (1 Peter 5:5–6). For those who hunger and thirst after righteousness or for those who desire more of the things of God and who want to know more of God and His Word, the truth, to do what pleases God and what gives Him glory, praise, and honor. For God will give them all that they desire to live a holy and obedient life and, thus, glorify God (Matthew 6:33 and 2 Peter 1:3–4). Blessed are the merciful, or to those who have and treat others with compassion. For God will also treat them with compassion. Mark 5:18–20, James 2:13–17. For the pure in heart or for those who repent and come to the feet of Christ, that their heart may be forgiven and cleansed from all their sins through His precious blood and who continue to cleanse themselves through His Word and the Spirit and thus may be with Him eternally in heaven (2 Corinthians 7:1). To the peacemakers or to those who bring peace where there is violence, especially to those who carry the gospel of Christ's peace to all who do not yet have that peace in their hearts (Romans 10:14–5). For those who suffer persecutions or for those who are persecuted, reviled, and have others speak lies against them just for serving Jesus Christ because every time they endure these persecutions, God will add spiritual blessings to them in heaven 2 John 1:8.

Topic 4: We are the light and the salt to others.

Matthew 5:13–16. Just as our Lord Jesus Christ was salt and light to all who were in darkness because of sin in this world, including us, and to whom He preached the gospel of salvation to bring them out of that darkness into His light, to heal all who were sick, to give sight to the blind, and to set free those who were oppressed. So too He has called us to follow His example and to be that salt and light in this dark world and for all those who are still in that darkness. John 8:12, 12:46; Acts 13:47, 26:17–18; Philippians 2:14–15; (Mark 15:16)

Topic 5: The teachings of the New Testament and the Old.

Matthew 5:17–47. In these scriptures, our Lord Jesus teaches us some of the changes He made between the Old Law and the New Law, between the Old Testament and the New Testament. These changes are very important for every new believer or new follower of Christ to study, learn, and understand. Just as the Israelites obeyed the teachings that God gave them through Moses, their leader, so are we. As servants of our Lord Jesus, we need to obey all the teachings that God has given us through Him! (Acts 3:22–23). All throughout the New Testament, you will find other changes that He made on: circumcision (Colossians 2:11), about no more animal sacrifices (Hebrews 10:8–14), about the animals we eat (1 Corinthians 10:25–26), about repaying someone, an eye for an eye (Matthew 5:38–42), and many more.

Another important lesson we learn from this study is that we, as followers of Christ, need to start reading and studying the scriptures from the New Testament, from where our Lord Jesus starts teaching us in order to understand and do His new covenant He makes with us, His teachings and commands. This way, when we start reading and studying the Old Testament, we will know and understand what is and what is not! We will also know the true meaning and purpose to the stories that we read in the Old Testament, and they won't be just stories!

Topic 6: Be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:48. In this verse, Jesus commands us to be perfect, just as our Father in heaven is perfect. When we think of being perfect, we think, impossible! But we always need to have this scripture in mind: Isaiah 55:8–9. God's way of thinking and seeing things is not the same as how the world thinks and sees things.

In the world, being perfect is someone who doesn't make any mistakes. That is why nobody can be perfect, ever!

In this scripture, Jesus is not talking about that kind of perfection. Here, the meaning of the word perfect is to be cleansed of all sin. And of course, we know this happens to us the moment we believe and accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Hebrews 10:1, 4, and 14; Romans 5:19; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:21–22; 1 Peter 1:15

Now, God, wants us to continue to be perfect, righteous, blameless, and holy throughout all our spiritual walk as well. And the way we accomplish that is by asking God for forgiveness every time we sin against Him! God says that every time we sin and ask Him for forgiveness, He will forgive us and will remember our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12, 1 John 2:1–2)! At the same time, He also doesn't want us to continue to sin willfully or to practice sin (Hebrews 10:26–39, 1 John 3:4–9)! There are other meanings of the word perfect throughout the Holy Scriptures. We'll study those later in other topics.

Topic 7: Don't do good to get glory from men, but to glorify God.

Matthew 6:1–4. These scriptures clearly teach us that when we do something good, we should not boast about it in order to get glory from man! Instead, when we do something good, let us do it for God's glory! (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16, and 23:5–8). For His glory! Matthew 6:3–4, 6, 17–18, (1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:23–24)

Topic 8: We communicate with God, we don't just talk to Him.

Matthew 6:5–13. In these scriptures, Jesus gives us a model prayer or a guide to teach us how to pray. We also learn the true meaning of prayer, how to, and how not to, pray and to whom we direct our prayers to.

What does the word prayer mean? It means to ask, supplicate, praise, to communicate, or to have a two-way conversation with God, and not just talk to God. From an inferior or a servant to a superior or a master or a Lord. We ask Him for things all the time: I need, give me, protect, heal, save, watch over, etc. And this is all good. It is biblical. But we also need to listen to what He has to say. After all, it's a two-way conversation, and we also need to hear what God wants or needs us to do. After all, He is our Lord, and we are His servants! (Matthew 6:31–33, Acts 9:6)

How should we approach God in a conversation? Well, He is Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, heavenly Father! Savior, Lord. He is the Superior being. We are the inferior beings, the creation, the ones who need to be saved, His children, His servants!

Knowing this, how should we approach Him? What should we ask Him for?

God gave us in His Word an example of a prayer, not so we can repeat it over and over (verses 7–8), but so that we can use it as a guide when we come to talk with Him.

In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Before we start asking Him for anything, our prayers, should start by giving God the respect and reverence He deserves as all Mighty God. "Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Next, we should ask Him, What do You want me to do today? What is Your will for me today? Use me today for Your kingdom and for Your glory" (Ephesians 5:15–17). Give us this day our daily bread. Just as our bodies need daily food to be healthy and grow, so our spirits need the daily bread or nourishment of God's Word (John 6:27, 48, 51–58; Jeremiah 33:3). "And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors." (It is important that when we come before God, we don't have anything against anybody that could hinder our prayers [Matthew 5:21–24]). And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. We also need to ask God to help us get rid of or put to death our earthly desires (Colossians 3:5–8) that the evil one, the devil, uses to seduce and convince us to sin against Him (James 1:14–15). "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (When we finish praying, let us, once again remember who we have been talking with—a live and mighty spiritual being! And not just an idol. That is why as Christians, we finish our prayers with in Jesus's name. Amen" (John 14:14, 15:16). Later, we will learn about different prayers and how the Holy Spirit also helps us pray to the Father!

Who do we communicate with? The Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 14:25–26, 16:5–15, 1 Corinthians 2:10–13

Topic 9: If you forgive others, God will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:14–15. These scriptures teach us the importance of forgiving others for whatever wrong they have done to us! (Matthew 18:21–35, Mark 11:25–26). Why should we forgive others? Because blinded by the devil and their self-carnal desires, they don't really know what they are doing when they come against us Luke 23:34.

Topic 10: God commands us to fast.

Matthew 6:16–18. In these scriptures, God does not tell us to try to fast or to fast if we can or if we feel like it. He commands us to fast! Through our fasting, we can become stronger and able to defeat the desires of our flesh and the temptations of the devil. See Topic 2.

What is the meaning of fasting? It means to abstain oneself from eating while we deny ourselves from our own self carnal pleasures and desires in order to spend time seeking God and His will through His Word and prayer.

Why do we fast, and what is fasting for? While fasting, we ask God to help us to deny, or get rid of, our own selfish carnal desires, pride, anger, hatred, resentment, impatience, jealousy, envy, fear, laziness, etc. in order to receive in exchange His spiritual characteristics, and attributes: love, patience, wisdom, meekness, righteousness, forgiveness, etc. Isaiah 58:5–6, Matthew 16:24. Also, Matthew 17:15–16, 19, 21

Is fasting one of the mighty weapons God gave us to defeat the enemy? Yes! Fasting is one of the mighty weapons God gave us along with prayer and God's Word to defeat the flesh and any temptation of the enemy. 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, Matthew 4:1, 26:41

Fasting connects us in a more intimate and spiritual way with God! In His way of thinking, wisdom and understanding in order to do His will! Acts 13:1–3, Matthew 9:14–15, 17:18–21

When does a Christian start fasting? The moment we are born again! Matthew 9:14–15

So let us be careful because the devil and His deceiving spirits are going to do anything they can to try to keep us from fasting!

Topic 11: Are we storing treasures on earth or in heaven?

Matthew 6:19–21. There is a saying in this world that says, He who dies with the most toys wins. In these scriptures, the Lord teaches us to love and to gather the treasures and blessings that God has for us throughout His Word rather than accumulating worldly treasures or material things in this world. Our mind and heart will be with those things we accumulate and treasure the most! So is our heart and mind in the things of this world or in the things of God? Luke 12:13–21, 1 Timothy 6:17–19, 1 John 2:15–17, Hebrews 11:24–26

Topic 12: The way we see things impacts our mind and heart.

Matthew 6:22–23. Our Lord Jesus teaches us to be careful about, what we look at and how we look at it. Whatever our eyes see will have an effect in our minds and the way we think, in our hearts, and the way we act and speak! Matthew 18:9, Luke 11:34–35, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Job 10:4, Psalm 101:3, and 119:37, (1 Corinthians 5:7)

Topic 13: No Christian can serve both God and the devil.

Matthew 6:24. Our new Lord Jesus clearly teaches us in these scriptures that we cannot serve two masters. In other words, now that we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and only Lord, we cannot continue to serve our old master, the devil! We are confronted into making a decision! Who do we serve? Deuteronomy 10:12, 1 Kings 18:21, Matthew 4:10, Romans 6:18–23, James 4:8, Revelation 3:15–16, (1 Timothy 6:13–16)

Topic 14: Do not worry about your physical needs.

Matthew 6:25–34. We are taught in these scriptures not to worry about anything! God knows better than we do (He created us) what we really need and when we really need it before we even ask Him. He also promises us that if we first seek and do His kingdom—or His precepts, rules, commandments as well as His righteousness, the (spiritual) way He sees, thinks, speaks, acts, and does things in order for us to obey and imitate Him—He will take care of us and supply all of our needs! Matthew 6:7–8, Philippians 4:19, Psalms 34:9–10 and 84:11, (1 Chronicles 29:11–14)

His kingdom first Matthew 6:9–10 and His righteousness Isaiah 55:7–9, so we can let go of ours Isaiah 64:6!

Topic 15: Can we as Christians judge others?

Matthew 7:1–5.