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Moving out with the Christian faith

The challenge of Acts for today's church

Why was the early church so effective?

MOVING OUT WITH THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
The challenge of Acts for today’s church
By Peter Jeffery
Evangelical Press. 128 pages. £5.95
ISBN 0 85234 609 9

My first thought as I opened this book was, ‘Will the contents live up to the contemporary cover and exciting blurb on the back?’ Yet from the first page I was gripped by Peter Jeffery’s punchy, direct and no-nonsense style.

Through examining the first 12 chapters of Acts he explores why the early church was so effective. Two reasons particularly struck me. Firstly, their reliance on Holy Spirit power and, secondly, that, despite severe opposition, it was the gospel, not the problems, that continued to dominate and motivate them. The church faithfully moved on and out.

Each chapter heading helpfully begins with, ‘Moving out …’, followed by topics such as prayer, clear vision, faithful workers and reaching the lost.

Although not designed specifically for daily readings, I found that the short chapters and subjects lend themselves well to devotional studies. This would also be a highly suitable book to give to young Christians who’ve completed initial studies of the gospels. Bearing this in mind it would perhaps have benefited from some reflective questions at the end of each chapter and a few more up-to-date illustrations.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book but, more importantly, it’s challenged me that I, with the church I am part of, must continue ‘moving out with the Christian faith’.

Jane McNabb,
The Slade Evangelical Church (FIEC), Plumstead, SE London