The Collected Writings of Les Rainey (Volume 3); published by Gospel Folio Press; available from John Ritchie Ltd; 420 pages; price £12.99.
This book follows on from the first two volumes in this series of collected writings by Les Rainey, who served the Lord as a missionary in Bermuda, Israel, and Africa for over 50 years, which included service in Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
The main focus of Volume 3 is the New Testament. The book is divided into the three following sections: The Bible in Brief: New Testament; A Syllabus of the Scriptures: New Testament; Biographies of the New Testament.
The first section, dealing with all the books in the New Testament, provides a brief description of each book, giving details of its writer and the probable dates when the book was written. Key words and verses are helpfully pinpointed. A useful and informative outline of divisions within the chapters is also presented.
The second section examines each book of the New Testament in greater detail, applying the message to present circumstances. An in-depth outline is supplied to enable a closer analysis of the book under consideration. Questions are then asked that will help to promote a response from the reader.
The third section provides a series of selective biographical studies of various individuals to be found throughout the New Testament.
The definitions of Biblical names are examined and practical lessons are drawn from both good and bad characters. The sketches cover a wide range that includes Anna and the woman of Samaria. These biographies are shown to have been included in the Word of God with the practical purpose of being "for our admonition" (1 Cor 10.11).
The author relates how the accounts of the men and women of the New Testament enriched his own life. It is his desire that the study of God's patient dealings with lives of long ago be used to warm the heart and encourage the reader to live unto the Lord.
AC
Serving and Shepherding by K T C Morris; published by Precious Seed Publications; available from John Ritchie Ltd; 32 pages; initial price while stocks last £3.00.
This booklet was previously published by Walterick Printing Co., Fort Dodge, Iowa. In this current edition the subtitle on the title page states, "Some Aspects of Church Life in New Testament Times".
H P Barker in his original foreword writes "Mr Morris' pamphlet will stimulate our determination to discard what is merely traditional, and to demand scriptural authority for all that we believe and endorse". In the current foreword John Bennett adds "Mr Morris emphasizes that overseers are those who fulfil a work rather than those afforded an official status or position in a formalized oversight".
The main burden of the author is to focus upon elders. Serving and Shepherding is divided into various sections dealing with relevant subjects: The work of the elders in an assembly; Appointment of elders; Characteristics of overseeing elders.
Under the heading "Recognizing the overseers" two questions are posed which believers must consider before they recognise a brother as an elder. "First, does he do the work of shepherding? Secondly, does he fulfil the scriptural requirements as to his character and homelife? He is to be known and honoured solely because of his own spiritual worth and work".
"A consideration of some present-day circumstances" issues the stern warning that an assembly may be tempted to call men overseers who do not possess the necessary spiritual qualifications. To combat this serious error, seven characteristics of a true shepherd are presented: 1. A true shepherd knows the sheep (John 10.3,14). 2. A true shepherd gives. 3 A true shepherd feeds the sheep. 4. A true shepherd guides the sheep. 5. A true shepherd watches the sheep. 6. A true shepherd protects the sheep. 7. A true shepherd restores the sheep.
This is a booklet intended to bring us back to Scriptural simplicity that the Holy Spirit be not grieved or quenched.
AC
