2. The sum and argument of the New Testament Books is Christ, born, dead, rising, ascending into heaven, governing the Church, justifying by faith, and sanctifying by the fruits thereof.
The sum of the books of the New Testament is a demonstration, that Jesus is the Christ and our Savior. That is, those books in general teach that that Christ, who is over all things, God blessed forever,[1] promised in the books of the Old Testament through manifold types, principally shadowed forth and figured in the sacrifices, designated in indubitable prophecies, and finally sent by God the Father, came in the flesh, in that very time which God Himself had determined, and had foretold through the Prophets: that that Christ, I say, not only sent and incarnated, but also dead and risen again from the God, ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of glory, thence returning at the consummation of the age to judge the living and the dead; finally, that He was sent and died to this end, that He, as true, might exhibit the abounding riches of His grace, which He had promised, and according to the mercy of God the Father make us righteous and save us. Therefore, it is shown with the greatest possible fullness, that JESUS CHRIST, the true lamb,[2] and true sacrifice for the world, came, so that He might reconcile us with the Father, wash us from our sins in His own blood,[3] free us from the servitude and rule of the Devil, adopt us as the sons of God, and make us joint-heirs of the Kingdom.[4] But, so that we might be made joint-partakers of this surpassingly great blessing, He has given to us His Spirit, the fruit and function of which is a true and living faith in Him: even who witnesses to our Spirit, that we are the Sons of God,[5] and pours into our inward parts charity and hope, which is a certain expectation of eternal life, of which He Himself is the earnest and pledge,[6] and other spiritual gifts. And thus by in Christ, which works by love,[7] we are justified and sanctified, that is, we are reckoned just and made holy, by His Spirit cleansed from our sins, so that we, pursuing His will in good works, might deny ourselves, and serve Him in righteousness and holiness all the days of our life.[8] Christ is the head of His body, which is the Church,[9] the communion of saints; He is our master, humble and mild, our example, from whom it is necessary for us to learn, innocence, patience, humility, sobriety, fortitude, constancy, love, even all the virtues, and the norm of correct believing and living: the Apostle and High Priest of our profession,[10] the one mediator between God and men,[11] who, sitting at the right hand of God, having been made our Advocate, prays and stands in the gap for us, undoubtedly obtaining whatever we might ask by Him, or in His name; while, when asking, we confide in Him, and give perpetual thanks for the blessings bestowed; and, when we sin, pricked in the heart with sincere repentance, and with faith, we approach the throne. Not only do these books reveal the CHRIST: but they also mark with a black stone, and depict in vivid colors, τὸν Ἀντικείμενον, His adversary, ANTICHRIST, so that we, knowing, declining, fleeing from, and detesting his snares, deceptions, impiety, and cruelty, might more faithfully and constantly adhere to our one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and thus with Satan, the world, Antichrist, and the flesh trodden under foot, they might be saved through Him, the Author and finisher of our faith,[12] even eternally. This is the marrow of the books of the New Testament, the nucleus, the center, toward which all the writing, instruction, and narration especially tends and is directed.
[1] Romans 9:5.
[2] See Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29, 36; Revelation 5:6, 8, 12, 13; 19:7, 9.
[3] Revelation 1:5.
[4] Romans 8:14-17.
[5] Romans 8:16.
[6] See 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5.
[7] Galatians 5:6.
[8] Luke 1:75.
[9] Colossians 1:18.
[10] Hebrews 3:1.
[11] 1 Timothy 2:5.
[12] Hebrews 12:2.
Dr. Dilday's Lecture: "The Unity of the Testament"