Under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ, Christians are expected to follow the teachings of Jesus and live according to His commandments. Here are some key aspects of what is expected of Christians:
- Faith in Jesus Christ: Christians are called to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior.
- John 3:16 (ESV): “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
1. Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins: Christians are called to repent of their sins and seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
- Acts 2:38 (ESV): “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”
2. Love for God and Others: Christians are called to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and to love their neighbors as themselves.
- Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV): “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”
3. Living a Holy Life: Christians are called to live holy lives, set apart for God’s purposes, and to pursue righteousness.
- 1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'”
4. Following Jesus’s Teachings: Christians are expected to follow the teachings of Jesus, including His moral teachings and commandments.
- John 14:15 (ESV): “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
- See more of Jesus’s Commandments and Teachings
5. Spreading the Gospel: Christians are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations.
- Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
These are foundational expectations for Christians under the New Covenant, as outlined in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament of the Bible.
Jesus summarized His commandments and teachings in several key passages in the New Testament. Here are some of the most prominent ones:
- The Great Commandment – Love God and Love Your Neighbor:
- Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV): “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'”
- The Golden Rule – Treat Others as You Want to Be Treated:
- Matthew 7:12 (ESV): “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
- The Sermon on the Mount – A comprehensive teaching on various aspects of Christian living, including humility, forgiveness, prayer, and righteousness:
- Matthew 5-7 (ESV): This entire section contains many of Jesus’s teachings, including the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12 (ESV)), instructions on prayer (Matthew 6:5-15 (ESV)), and ethical teachings on various topics.
- The New Commandment – Love One Another:
- John 13:34-35 (ESV): “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”
- The Great Commission – Make Disciples of All Nations:
- Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- The Parable of the Good Samaritan – Show Mercy and Compassion:
- Luke 10:25-37 (ESV): This parable illustrates the importance of showing mercy and compassion to others, regardless of their background or circumstances.
These teachings encapsulate the essence of Jesus’s message and the principles He wanted His followers to live by. They emphasize love, compassion, humility, and obedience to God’s will.