The Church in the New Testament

Rating:
Summary: An excellent resource
Review: This book contains more Biblical and practical explanation on the New Tetsament style of doing church than any other book. I was assigned to teach a Bible College course on the 5 Fold Ministry and there is simply not a good textbook anywhere. Then I read this book and each of the Five Fold Ministries have a chapter of their own.

Its a type of book that while you are reading it you just simply know and sense that it is right and should be applied. It actually will leave you excited about doing church and then you wake up to the reality that may lead you to frustration because your churrch is not anything like this and how difficult, if not impossible, it would be to make these changes. Even though yu know this is a much more Biblical way.

This book at the same time does cover areas that can be utilized immediately in your church without any great stress. He covers in detail the offices and responsibilities of the Elder and the Deacons. Elders to rule; Deacons to serve.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This book is the best treatment I have found of the concept of the New Testament Church, both Local and Universal, as revealed in the Scriptures. Unlike most works on this and similar subjects, "THE CHURCH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT" is not written from a particular denominational standpoint or bias. You will not find a Baptist, Episcopal, Congregational, Dispensational, Reformed, etc., viewpoint expressed here, nor each's peculiar avoidance of verses which do not fit their predisposed theological positions. Instead, Kevin J. Conner offers an honest and factual look at what the N.T. Church Is Not, Is, and Is To Be. As he does in all his works (which the serious biblical student is earnestly encouraged to check out), Conner's refreshing method of taking his material directly from the biblical text (regardless of the implications or potential ruffling of preconceived doctrinal feathers) guards against errors, pet doctrines, and personal opinion, an approach, incidentally, which is recommended to many of the Christian authors writing today, and which undoubtedly would be welcomed by their reading public. Rather than merely skimming over the top of the various sub-points, the author treats of the O.T. types and patterns, the theological implications, and practical outworkings of a book-by-book revelation of the Church in the Gospels, Acts and Epistles. He explains the difference between Israel, the Kingdom, and the Church, also giving an in-depth assessment of each of the 7 N.T. Church offices, along with their scriptural qualifications, the nine Gifts of the Spirit, and the 30-odd congregational gifts/ministries available to the believer, showing how Christ is the Pattern for the Christian in all N.T. Church ministry. Drawing from the Scriptures, Conner also candidly addresses the subject of women in the ministry, devoting an entire chapter to this controversial area. A very handy Local Church sample-constitution is provided as well. As any of us who have had the privilege of sitting under Dr. Conner's teaching ministry can testify, this book offers sound biblical insight and interpretation of a subject that desperately needs clarification in our day of media-wise Megachurchs and cafe-Christianity. May God's Glorious Church, His Eternal Purpose, Dwelling Place, Body, Army and Bride be more clearly revealed to all who read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This book is the best treatment I have found of the concept of the New Testament Church, both Local and Universal, as revealed in the Scriptures. Unlike most works on this and similar subjects, "THE CHURCH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT" is not written from a particular denominational standpoint or bias. You will not find a Baptist, Episcopal, Congregational, Dispensational, Reformed, etc., viewpoint expressed here, nor each's peculiar avoidance of verses which do not fit their predisposed theological positions. Instead, Kevin J. Conner offers an honest and factual look at what the N.T. Church Is Not, Is, and Is To Be. As he does in all his works (which the serious biblical student is earnestly encouraged to check out), Conner's refreshing method of taking his material directly from the biblical text (regardless of the implications or potential ruffling of preconceived doctrinal feathers) guards against errors, pet doctrines, and personal opinion, an approach, incidentally, which is recommended to many of the Christian authors writing today, and which undoubtedly would be welcomed by their reading public. Rather than merely skimming over the top of the various sub-points, the author treats of the O.T. types and patterns, the theological implications, and practical outworkings of a book-by-book revelation of the Church in the Gospels, Acts and Epistles. He explains the difference between Israel, the Kingdom, and the Church, also giving an in-depth assessment of each of the 7 N.T. Church offices, along with their scriptural qualifications, the nine Gifts of the Spirit, and the 30-odd congregational gifts/ministries available to the believer, showing how Christ is the Pattern for the Christian in all N.T. Church ministry. Drawing from the Scriptures, Conner also candidly addresses the subject of women in the ministry, devoting an entire chapter to this controversial area. A very handy Local Church sample-constitution is provided as well. As any of us who have had the privilege of sitting under Dr. Conner's teaching ministry can testify, this book offers sound biblical insight and interpretation of a subject that desperately needs clarification in our day of media-wise Megachurchs and cafe-Christianity. May God's Glorious Church, His Eternal Purpose, Dwelling Place, Body, Army and Bride be more clearly revealed to all who read this book!