First Ministry

Of the many recent books on the historical Jesus, none has explored what the latest biblical scholarship means for personal faith. Now, in Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg addresses the yearnings of those who want a fully contemporary faith that welcomes rather than oppresses our critical intelligence and openness to the best of historical scholarship. Borg shows how a rigorous examination of historical findings can lead to a new faith in Christ, one that is critical and, at the same time, sustaining.

What if the Apostle Andrewchanged the world more than you ever imagined? History remembers Peter as the rock, John as the beloved, and Paul as the missionary to the Gentiles. But Andrew—the first called, the quiet brother, the faithful bridge-builder—carried the Gospel farther than any of them dared to dream. From the restless fishing villages of Galilee to the frozen steppes of Scythia, from the cosmopolitan streets of Antioch to his final martyrdom in Greece, Andrew’s journey reveals the untold story of how Christianity truly became a global faith. In this sweeping historical novel,...

Discover the untold story of the New Testament’s most reluctant hero. Caught between his Greek father’s world and his Jewish mother’s faith, young Timothy never expected to become one of early Christianity’s most trusted leaders. When the apostle Paul arrives in Lystra, everything changes. Follow Timothy’s extraordinary journey from uncertain teenager to Paul’s most beloved disciple. From dangerous missionary journeys to confronting false teachers, watch as this unlikely hero overcomes his fears to help spread the gospel across the Roman Empire. “Timothy: Paul’s Son in ...

Moses is renowned as a great lawgiver, prophet, friend of God, and deliverer of his people. The events of his life, spanning four books of the Bible, resound throughout Scripture. In this epic undertaking, James M. Boice delves into the narrative to uncover its rich meaning and gospel application to our lives today. We can learn a lot from Moses about faithfulness, prayerfulness, meekness, and good leadership; we can even learn from his sins and failure! But Boice shows how we can also look beyond Moses and the Israelites to the awesome power of God.

The New Book of Christian Martyrs commemorates those modern-day heroes. In this update to Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Johnnie Moore and Jerry Pattengale highlight key martyrs of past centuries and feature stories of contemporary martyrs around the world. Through tears, Johnnie and Jerry offer this compendium of heroes from the first century to the twenty-first century, from Europe to Africa and from Asia to the Americas, to inspire Christians around the globe.

Rev. Dr. Stephen De Young, creator of the popular The Whole Counsel of God blog and podcast, traces the lineage of Orthodox Christianity back to the faith and witness of the apostles, which was rooted in a first-century Jewish worldview. The Religion of the Apostles presents the Orthodox Christian Church of today as a continuation of the religious life of the apostles, which in turn was a continuation of the life of the people of God since the beginning of creation.

Many Christians mistakenly believe that their only choice is either to reconcile themselves to a fundamentalist reading of scripture (a "literal-factual" approach) or to simply reject the Bible as something that could bring meaning and value into their lives. In Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg shows how instead we can freshly appreciate all the essential elements of the Old and New Testaments - from Genesis to Revelation - in a way that can open up a new world of intelligent faith.

The First and Second Books of Adam and Eve make up an apocryphal story, written in a midrash style, detailing the time from the planting of the Garden of Eden and creation of Adam to the time of Enoch. For those interested in angels and demons and the dialogue and tactics of Satan in his quest to destroy mankind, this book will be of special value. For serious students of religion and religious history, this book is a must-have.

This is a heartfelt book. I accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in 1977. I answered Jesus’ call to ministry in 1980. So, I have been in ministry for many years. And being in ministry I am familiar with the unique issues people go through who serve the Lord. I have been the pastor of two churches during this time. I pastored in a denomination and a nondenominational church. The church I have served in since 1993 is a church the Lord used me to plant. For the first 17 years or so, I was bi-vocational; the Lord provided for my family and I through various jobs and eventually in a ...

From the Encyclopedia Britannica: 1 John - The First Letter of John was apparently addressed to a group of churches where “false prophets", denounced as antichrist, denied the incarnation of Jesus and caused a secession so substantial that the orthodox remnant was sadly depleted. The faithful were deeply disturbed that the heresy found favour among pagans, and they apparently felt inferior because those who had left their midst claimed to have profound mystical experiences. The heretics asserted that they possessed perfection, were “born of God”, and were without sin.

Are You Spiritually Gifted—But Still Spiritually Blind? You were created to see what others cannot, to discern what is hidden, and to interpret what Heaven is saying. But if your spiritual eyes remain shut, your destiny may be delayed, hijacked, or misinterpreted. Imagine walking through life blindfolded while carrying a divine compass you’ve never learned to use. This book changes everything. Many believers feel the call to the prophetic, but they struggle with cloudy vision, confusing impressions, and misread signs. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is what I saw from God or my ...

In this book, Justin Martyr boldly defends the Christian faith before the Roman government. He addresses the core beliefs of the early church and refutes the lies spread abroad about them. A truly inspirational piece of literature that should not disappoint the hungry soul looking for pure doctrine and teaching. He truly was a man of God that held great understanding of godly virtue and wisdom. May you be abundantly blessed as you partake in this book!

What does it take to rear a firstborn child? Renowned psychologist Kevin Leman educates moms and dads on the essentials of parenting and expounds on the traits that characterize firstborn children so new parents know what to expect. He explains how birth order can influence each stage of development—from infancy on into young adulthood. This audiobook will help first-time parents—especially mothers—adjust to their new situation and role while raising a happy, healthy child.

Is the goal of Christianity to build more and bigger church buildings to attract more “church-goers? Or for pastors to gain more followers who sit passively, week after week, listening to their sermons? Or is the goal for the church to make disciples ( locally and among the nations) so that Christ’s kingdom will spread throughout the whole earth? What model do we see in the New Testament that gives the blueprint for doing that?

This book presents a sweeping survey of Bible prophecy that relates to the First and Second Comings of Jesus. In the process it addresses several key questions: Was the virgin birth of Jesus anticipated in Bible prophecy, or was it an afterthought? Was the resurrection of Jesus prophesied, or was it the result of wishful thinking? Was the deity of Jesus foretold in prophecy, or was it an idea manufactured by His disciples? How can Jesus be found throughout the Bible in symbolic prophecy? Additionally, the book presents extensive evidence of the validity of the virgin birth of Jesus, His ...

Historians, scholars, and theologians agree that first-century Christianity was a sect of Judaism, but where does that information place first-century Gentile Christians? What did it mean to be a Gentile who practiced Judaism in the days of the apostles? These are not just academic questions; they are at the heart of today's growing Messianic Jewish movement. How do non-Jews engage in the modern Messianic Jewish revival?

What was the starting point of Christianity? Was it in a little town in Bethlehem, just as the lyrics of our favorite Christmas songs contend? In truth, in the earliest days of Christianity, when Peter and Paul first set out to preach the gospel, the belief systems of early Christians were viewed as merely a new sect of Judaism.

Ever wondered if there were more writings from the first few centuries by Christians? Well the answer is - yes! There is much that the early Christians left us and they are available in this day and time. The New Testament is our rock to stand upon, but there are other works that we can glean from that are filled with godly wisdom and virtue. The 1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians is just that kind of work that can further your walk with Christ in this present day.

In the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses 11 problems, in two categories. In the Life-Study of 1 Corinthians, Witness Lee helps us see that Christ is the unique factor to solve the first six problems, and that the church is the unique factor to solve the final five problems.

From a Biblical perspective of our human nature, we are "spirit and soul and body" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Understanding each dimension of our being and how each is to relate to the others, according to God's created order, is a strategic key of the Kingdom of God. Come take hold of this key that will revolutionize and revitalize your spiritual journey! Our human spirit should abide in deep communion with God’s Holy Spirit. Then our human spirit—infused and led by the Holy Spirit—should direct the mind, will, and emotions of our human soul, which should manifest in the health and well...