Michael A G Haykin

For two hundred years, Christians have been inspired by William Carey's commitment to obey the Great Commission. Few know of his devotion to the local church. Yet Carey's ecclesiology warrants our attention. While many works helpfully illuminate aspects of Carey's ministry, this book pushes past his methods and strategies and examines his ecclesiological faithfulness. By explaining this element of Carey's doctrine and demonstrating the ways it revealed itself throughout his life, the author argues that Carey's devotion to the local church was undeniably linked to his God-given success in reaching the lost.

For two hundred years, Christians have been inspired by William Carey's commitment to obey the Great Commission. Few know of his devotion to the local church. Yet Carey's ecclesiology warrants our attention. While many works helpfully illuminate aspects of Carey's ministry, this book pushes past his methods and strategies and examines his ecclesiological faithfulness. By explaining this element of Carey's doctrine and demonstrating the ways it revealed itself throughout his life, the author argues that Carey's devotion to the local church was undeniably linked to his God-given success in reaching the lost.

The story of the Stockbridge Mohican Indians, unlike that portrayed in the legendary Last of the Mohicans, is a story of tragedy and deceit, and yet one of endurance and strength. This proud people, despite the many efforts to remove their identity and eradicate their unique culture, have endured and continue to flourish, ensuring future generations will benefit from their rich legacy.This book chronicles the history of the Mohican people, highlighting their desire to know more about the "Great, Good Spirit," by asking for a Christian minister to come to them. After the untimely death of their first missionary, John Sergeant, they were blessed by the ministry of Jonathan Edwards, the foremost theologian in American history. He has been described as, "an activist, preacher, contemplative, missionary, philosopher, and theologian." Not only did Edwards bring them the Word of God, he fought relentlessly for their rights. Herein lies a glimpse into the history of this noble people and Edwards' efforts for their physical and spiritual well-being.

The life of Lady Brilliana Harley of Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire, England, was marked by a deep and living relationship with God. A Puritan Presbyterian by conviction, Brilliana was shunned by her neighbours during the tumultuous English Civil Wars and is remembered as valiantly resisting the siege of her home by the forces of Charles I. Brilliana's letters reveal the heart of her spirituality. While concerned about her son Edward (Ned)'s studies at Oxford, his diet and exercise, she especially encourages him about the value of a vital relationship with God. Her letters also expose the breadth of her reading and her theological acumen. As the troubles around her increased, she took increasing solace in the truths of election, the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross and the sovereignty of God in salvation. The soil of her heart was truly warmed by "the sweet waters of God's Word."

Two Oppositional Figures in Church History Shed Light on Division in the Church Today Our current culture seems to be increasingly divided on countless issues, including those affecting the church. But for centuries, theological disagreements, political differences, and issues relating to church leadership have made it challenging for Christians to foster unity and love for one another. In this book, author Tim Cooper explores this polarization through the lives of two oppositional figures in church history: John Owen and Richard Baxter. Cooper highlights their individual stories while showing how their contrasting life experiences, personalities, and temperaments led to their inability to work together. After exploring these lessons from the past, readers will gain insights into their own relationships, ultimately learning how to love and live in harmony with their fellow believers despite their disagreements. Timely: In today’s deeply divided culture, this book offers past examples to help spur unity among believers today Historical: Biographical examination of two Puritan writers from the 17th century: John Owen and Richard Baxter Accessible: Short format and crisp writing style offer an engaging story with no background knowledge required

The fourth century was different than the previous centuries due to two big heresies. The first one was the heresy of Arius, who denied the divinity of the Son. This heresy led to the Council of Nicaea in 325 in which the church fathers affirmed the divinity of the Son of one substance with the Father. The second heresy was that of the Tropici, who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit and said that the Holy Spirit was a creature or an angel. At that time, Athanasius was one of the most important leaders in the life of the church. He wrote against the Tropici, as he addressed them in his letters to Serapion. These letters are the major work of Athanasius concerning the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth explains the way that Athanasius dealt with the heresy and elucidates the pneumatology of Athanasius's use of the Gospel of John and 1 John. It also discusses Athanasius's understanding of tradition, Scripture, and hermeneutical principles in his defense of the Godhead, particularly the divinity of the Holy Spirit. For Athanasius, the Holy Spirit is eternal, divine, uncreated, and one with the Father and the Son.

The fourth century was different than the previous centuries due to two big heresies. The first one was the heresy of Arius, who denied the divinity of the Son. This heresy led to the Council of Nicaea in 325 in which the church fathers affirmed the divinity of the Son of one substance with the Father. The second heresy was that of the Tropici, who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit and said that the Holy Spirit was a creature or an angel. At that time, Athanasius was one of the most important leaders in the life of the church. He wrote against the Tropici, as he addressed them in his letters to Serapion. These letters are the major work of Athanasius concerning the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth explains the way that Athanasius dealt with the heresy and elucidates the pneumatology of Athanasius's use of the Gospel of John and 1 John. It also discusses Athanasius's understanding of tradition, Scripture, and hermeneutical principles in his defense of the Godhead, particularly the divinity of the Holy Spirit. For Athanasius, the Holy Spirit is eternal, divine, uncreated, and one with the Father and the Son.

When we approach such men as St. Bernard of Clairvaux and John Calvin, we are approaching two men who were not only significant figures of their time but figures standing on opposite shorelines of the influence and impact of Scholasticism, as well as a tumultuous decline in orthodoxy. Despite this reality, what is most compelling about these two men is the continuity of their developed thought, even though they were worlds apart, separated by time. This continuity is most assuredly grounded in their historical sources, and, more importantly, their faithful handling of God's word. That continuity, although not point for point, was rather for the significant part of the structure and content--sum and substance--of the twofold knowledge of God and self. For both of these men, this doctrine was fundamental, permeating the whole of their world and life philosophy. Bernard and Calvin clearly saw the implications of this twofold knowledge. These implications manifest in the realm of various doctrines and the network of their system of thought. This book seeks to explore those various components of their twofold knowledge of God and self, as well as the implications in the realm of experiential Christianity.

Roman Centurions feature prominently in the New Testament. A centurion stood at the foot of the cross when Christ was crucified. Jesus healed a centurion's servant and Paul interacted with centurions on multiple occasions. A centurion was even the first non-Jewish convert to Christianity. But who were these men, really? What did it mean to be a centurion? Why did the New Testament authors include them in their writings? This illuminating work provides the most thorough and comprehensive treatment to date on New Testament centurions in order to answer these questions and bring to light these often overlooked characters. Through a careful analysis of available military history and primary source texts, this book highlights the importance of centurions to the biblical narrative and sheds new light on the role these men played in the early church.

The mission of the apostle Paul is central to the New Testament, where it was vital in the establishment of the early church and spreading the gospel throughout the world of his day. This study provides a concise but rich view of Paul the man and Paul the missionary. At his conversion to Christ, Paul was given a clear mandate to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. Many truths were evident as he pursued this mission. Paul loved the church, and he was zealous to win the lost to Christ. He appreciated and cultivated co-labourers in the work of the gospel, as he depended on the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul's experience challenges the reader. Study guide questions are provided at the end of each chapter to help reflect on and apply the things that are learned in this short, focused study of Paul's life. The apostle modelled for Christians-both then and now-a love for the gospel and its power, a steady and deep love for God's people and a rooted confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit to apply Christ's saving work on the cross to needy sinners. It is hoped that as you learn more about Paul and his Christian mission, you will grow in your own relationship with God and service for him-or perhaps be challenged to seek him for the first time.

Samuel Pearce (1766-1799) has been remembered primarily for his remarkable piety, made known especially through the memoir penned by his close friend Andrew Fuller in 1800, soon after his death. But he also left a small body of writings. For the first time these works are gathered here between the covers of one book.

Friendship is a need that touches the deepest parts of the human soul. This is especially true in ministry. It is a need that is not simply rooted in enjoyment and companionship, but in the necessity to care well of one’s soul and survive a long–term ministry. This book seeks to persuade every modern pastor of the essential need of friendship. And not just any friendship, but a close, personal, intimate, and sacrificial pastor–to–pastor friendship that regularly turns each other’s gaze to Jesus. Friends and pastors, Michael Haykin, Brian Croft and James Carroll examine portraits of friendship in scripture and church history, before exhorting readers to modern pastoral friendships. Contents Foreword by Austin Walker Introduction Part 1: Looking Back 1. Portraits of Friendships in Scripture 2. A Pastoral Friendship (1): Basil of Caesarea and Eusebius of Samosata (4th Century) 3. A Pastoral Friendship (2): Benjamin Francis and Joshua Thomas (18th Century) Part 2: Looking Ahead 4. The Command for Friendship 5. The Blessings of Friendship 6. The Challenges of Friendship 7. Modern Exhortations to Pastoral Friendship Conclusion

"Every Divine truth bears a relation to him: hence the doctrine of the gospel is called 'the truth as it is in Jesus, '" according to Andrew Fuller. Biblical history is the story of the truth as it is in Jesus. Fuller never lost sight of this foundational truth. His pastoral commitment to pursue the truth as it is in Jesus transformed every aspect of Fuller's thinking, including his understanding of the task of preaching, sermon preparation, and the preparation of the preacher himself. He believed in the primacy of faithful, Christ-centered expository preaching. Of preaching, he wrote, "Oh how important We preach for eternity " These pages call the reader alongside Andrew Fuller as he teaches us through his writings and sermons to "Preach not only the truth, but all truth, 'as it is in Jesus.'"

"Amidst Us Our Belov d Stands will help all pastors and theologians, whether Baptist or not, to consider our own understanding of the sacraments afresh in light of the past." --ThemeliosBaptists are sacramentalWhen it comes to baptism and the Lord's Supper, many Baptists reject the language of sacrament. As a people of the book, the logic goes, Baptists must not let tradition supersede the Bible. So Baptists tend to view baptism and Communion as ordinances and symbols, not sacraments.But the history of Baptists and sacramentalism is complicated. In Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands, Michael A. G. Haykin argues that many Baptists, such as Charles Spurgeon and other Particular Baptists, stood closer to Reformed sacramental thought than most Baptists today. More than mere memorials, baptism and Communion have spiritual implications that were celebrated by Baptists of the past in sermons and hymnody. Haykin calls for a renewal of sacramental life in churches today--Baptists can and should be sacramental.

"Every Christian ought to be a good historian, and if his knowledge of history be improved by him as it ought, the better historian he is, the better Christian will he be." This pithy remark by the eighteenth-century Baptist leader, Caleb Evans, was delivered in a sermon calling "ordinary" Christian to read history and remember it, for in truth they were surrounded by its impact day after day. This weekly reader is designed to help you become "a good historian" in the way that Evans desired. These 52 weekly reflections, each of which takes but a few minutes to read, are a reminder of how important history-in this case, actually, church history-is for the Christian.

The concept of missionary baptism is based on the household baptism of converts and their families described in the New Testament. This is most commonly experienced today in missionary situations, when entire families become Christians. Building on the work of nineteenth-century Scottish theologian William Cunningham, this study explores some implications for the connection between believers' baptism, infant baptism, baby dedication, and Christian unity, particularly among evangelicals.