The Church and Its Mission

"I will build my church," said Christ. "This introduces certain questions for our consideration," said W.E. Vine, "namely, what the Church is, and what are its calling, constitution, and destiny." Moreover, "in the mind of God, the ultimate object of missionary activity is the planting of churches." The Church and its Mission looks at these two facets of the work of God in this world. "The Church and the Churches" is an excellent exposition of the New Testament doctrine of the church in which W.E. Vine unfolds the truths of both the universal church and the local church. He addresses vital topics such as spiritual gifts, church organization, baptism, the Lord's Supper, church discipline, and tithing. "The Divine Plan of Missions" is a practical guide to missionary work, reflecting W.E. Vine's experience with Echoes of Service. By corresponding with more than 1,000 missionaries, he came to understand the challenges and opportunities of missionary work. Each of these sections of The Church and Its Mission also includes shorter articles that examine critical issues for leaders in local churches and in missionary service.

"I will build my church," said Christ. "This introduces certain questions for our consideration," said W.E. Vine, "namely, what the Church is, and what are its calling, constitution, and destiny." Moreover, "in the mind of God, the ultimate object of missionary activity is the planting of churches." The Church and its Mission looks at these two facets of the work of God in this world. "The Church and the Churches" is an excellent exposition of the New Testament doctrine of the church. First, W.E. Vine unfolds the truths of the universal church, including its relationship to the kingdom of heaven and points out the dangers of ecclesiastical organization. He then focuses on the local church including vital topics such as spiritual gifts, church organization, baptism, the Lord's Supper, church discipline, and tithing. "The Divine Plan of Missions" is a practical guide to missionary work, reflecting W.E. Vine's experience with Echoes of Service, a missionary sending organization. By corresponding with more than 1,000 missionaries, he came to understand the challenges and opportunities of missionary work. Each of these sections of The Church and Its Mission also includes shorter articles that examine critical issues for leaders in local churches and in missionary service. An insightful article on "Leading in Prayer," for instance, should be read by all who lead church meetings. And "Approved by God" explores questions to ask when considering a person for missionary service, or for any position in church leadership.

W. E. Vine is considered one of the world's foremost Greek and biblical scholars. His Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words has been a bestselling classic, popular with generations of Bible scholars and students. Yet he wrote much more than the famous dictionary. His timeless biblical commentaries were marked by careful exegetical word study and expository insight. W.E. Vine worked for Echoes of Service, an organization that supported missionaries around the world. At one time, he kept six secretaries busy corresponding with more than 1,000 missionaries. "Mr. Vine shows," said F.F. Bruce, "how great a service can be rendered to the Church by well-balanced, all-around scholarship when it is combined with reverent submission to the Word of God and spiritual insight into its meaning. . . . The Scriptures' chief function is to bear witness of Christ, and the chief end of their study is to increase our inward knowledge of Him. . . . Mr. Vine, in all his study and writing, would not be content with any aim lower than this for himself and his readers alike."