Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 8
June 7, 1956
NUMBER 6, PAGE 15a

The New Testament. The True Testament

Gordon Wilson, Blythe, California

What is there about this volume which we call the New Testament? What place does it fill in the catalog of world literature? and what influence ought it to bear on the minds of men?

How is it that believers quote the New Testament and pronounce it a good book and genuine, while infidels quote it and inform us that it is a bad book and a forgery? Why does the preacher preach this book with such force, and the atheist assail it with such vigor?

If we are to prove the New Testament true, we must want to prove it true. If we approach its pages with a determination to prove it not to be true, we are likely to be honest agnostics; doubting its veracity, but at the same time willing to look at things from a positive, rather than a negative, attitude. Now, let us investigate.

(I) The New Testament claims for itself that it is:

1. The last will and testament of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2. The final and perfect revelation of the will of God.

3. The last covenant between God and His children.

4. The perfect law of Christ.

5. The word of God.

6. The gift of God's grace.

7. The complete Truth.

8. The Gospel (good news, glad tidings) which is God's power to save.

9. Given by the inspiration of God.

10. All-sufficient to make man exactly what God wants him to be.

11. That which we must obey.

12. That by which we are called, saved, begotten and born again.

13. The seed of the Kingdom of God.

14. The only creed-book which will produce Christians.

15. That which we must preach, and to preach aught else is to bring the anathema of God upon us.

16. The book by which our deeds will be judged in the Last Day.

17. Sealed by the blood of the only Perfect Man who ever lived, Jesus our Redeemer.

(II) The friends of the New Testament claim for it that:

1. It brings comfort in times of distress.

2. It consoles in times of sorrow.

3. It is a pleasant companion when lonely.

4. If all would live by it, this would be a better world socially, morally, and religiously.

5. It alone explains the reason for our existence.

6. The best Kings, Presidents, and Governors have believed its teachings.

7. The most reasonable philosophers have accepted its inspiration, and the most learned scientists refuse to accept as fact anything which contradicts it.

(III) Things the infidel cannot prove:

1. That any of the above claims are false.

2. That any of the books of the New Testament bear later dates than the dates usually ascribed to them by believers.

3. That any of the manuscripts from which the New Testament text was derived are forgeries.

4. That there is even one contradiction in it.

5. That there is any sensible, logical, or scientific reason for disbelieving it.

In view of the above facts the inquirer after truth ought to accept the New Testament without question, believe it, obey it, live by it, and go to Heaven by it after awhile.

If we deemed it necessary, and were so disposed, it would be possible to offer further proof for the genuineness of the New Testament books; proof such as the writings of first and second century authors, modern archaeological discoveries, testimony of great men who have felt the force of its saving power. But such proof is available to all who will look for it, and we do not consider it expedient to offer it for examination at this time. We are willing to rest our case on the above evidence and confidently hail the New Testament the true testament.