New Testament Beliefs and Practices

For those looking for a fresh, simple, comprehensive approach to practical Christian living, this book will be a welcome resource. This will be especially true if there is an interest in understanding the beliefs and practices of those Christian groups whose roots extend back to the post-Reformation era of early Anabaptism and Pietism. Although this book is written primarily to be instructive to Church of the Brethren people, its real importance lies not in its being Brethren, but in its being Biblical. It will be received eagerly by those wanting helpful teaching about the non-glamorous, largely unpopular, and almost never mentioned parts of the Bible which relate to some of the details of Christian discipleship. The Brethren movement from the early eighteenth century has persistently heeded the counsel to search the Scriptures and come under their authority. This has resulted in applying some Gospel truths in uncommon and distinctive ways. But the authority for such practices has always grown out of diligently wanting to be faithful to what is written in the Bible. A frequently heard statement among Brethren has been, "The New Testament is our only rule of faith and practice." This book, New Testament Beliefs and Practices: A Brethren Understanding, will be a good tool to keep in current Brethren congregations if they are sincerely seeking to become more Biblical and Brethren. It will also be a good measuring rod to use with those who rather loudly declare themselves to be a "Bible-believing church." It should gain wide acceptance as a basis of instruction for those who are in the process of becoming members of the Church of the Brethren.