Great Leaders of the Christian Church (Dust Jacket Missing)

Throughout the centuries millions of persons have identified themselves as Christians the followers of Jesus Christ. For some that identification cost them their lives. From the stoning of Stephen recorded in Acts 7 to the murder of Jim Elliot and his missionary colleagues in Ecuador. thousands of Christians have died as martyrs. Other Christians did not make that momentous sacrifice. Nonetheless they demonstrated their stout commitment by the way they lived as Christ's disciples in the face of rude taunts, testings, and temptations. Still others wore their Christianity lightly by putting it on simply as a cloak of social convention.

A cobbler, a king, a charwoman, a queen Christians have stepped forth from all social classes to follow this Jesus who died on a cruel cross only to be miraculously resurrected from the dead on the first Easter morning. Many of them who called them selves Christians believed that He was "truly God and truly man," the Word become flesh. He had died for their sins to bring them salvation; they responded by believing in Him and following His teachings. He was their Lord and Savior. Moreover this Jesus had promised that He would come again for His church. After He left, the Holy Spirit came to comfort and empower Christians in their mission. And they had much to do before He returned. He had commanded them to love God with all their hearts, souls, and minds, and their neighbors as themselves. He had also commissioned them to preach the gospel, making disciples and baptizing new converts.