Charismatic Gifts in the Early Church: An Exploration into the Gifts of the Spirit During the First Three Centuries of the Christian Church

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Summary: Ideal for the student or the curious mind
Review: If a scholarly but undersatandable review of the roots and early history of the charismatic gifts is what you seek, this is it! Dr. Kydd combines very high quality research with an equally impressive ability to make the results understandable and relevant. This revision of Kydd's doctoral thesis is perfect for the student of Pentecostalism or Church history, and also relevant to any interested soul who has encountered the charismtic manifestations.

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Summary: Historical evidence the spiritual gifts continue today
Review: It may surprise some Christians to learn that the gifts of the Holy Spirit did not die out at the end of the first century. Anyone doubting this should read Kydd's thorough investigation into the continuing presence of the gifts of the Spirit during the first three centuries of the Christian church.This scholarly--but by no means arid--study fills a deep need, for the church today often struggles to overcome its luke-warmness while failing to see the clear New Testament importance of the gifts of the Spirit for its daily life.The church began as a "little band of fisherman [and evolved] over the centuries until it [became] one of the dominant features of the Greek and Latin world. The Church grew astonishingly in size, power, and influence." (p. 86) Part of the explanantion for this evangelism explosion was not strategic planning or better schools of training, but, as Kydd says, the presence of Jesus himself and the sending of the Holy Spirit.Kydd offers irrefutable historical evidence that the gifts remained after the New Testament period as absolutely essential ingredients for the growth and life of the church.This work belongs in every thinking Christian's library

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Summary: Father Knows Best
Review: Trenchant analyses, singular perspective. A gift born of creative nature, and sedulous habit. Great work Dad!