Growing in Christ

by J. I. Packer

Overview

Late theologian J. I. Packer gives readers a road map for studying the essentials of Christian faith, with quick, in-depth explanations of essential topics including the Apostles' Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433581212
Publisher:	Crossway
Publication date:	06/28/2022
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

J. I. Packer (1926–2020) served as the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College. He authored numerous books, including the classic bestseller Knowing God. Packer also served as general editor for the English Standard Version Bible and as theological editor for the ESV Study Bible.

Table of Contents

Introduction 13

Part 1 Affirming the Essentials

The Apostles' Creed

Preface 19

1 I Believe in God 21

2 The God I Believe In 25

3 The Father Almighty 29

4 Almighty 33

5 Maker of Heaven and Earth 39

6 And in Jesus Christ 43

7 His Only Son 49

8 Born of the Virgin Mary 53

9 Suffered under Pontius Pilate 57

10 He Descended into Hell 61

11 The Third Day 65

12 He Ascended into Heaven 69

13 He Shall Come 75

14 I Believe in the Holy Spirit 79

15 The Holy Catholic Church 85

16 Forgiveness of Sins 91

17 Resurrection of the Body 97

18 The Life Everlasting 103

Part 2 Entering In

Baptism and Conversion

Preface 109

1 The Lord's Command 111

2 What the Sign Says 115

3 A Sacrament of Good News 119

4 Conversion and Baptism 123

5 Baptized in Jesus's Name 127

6 Washing 131

7 United with Christ 135

8 Baptism and the Holy Spirit 139

9 Basic Christianity 143

10 Baptism and Infants 147

11 Baptism, Confirmation, Confession 151

12 Baptism and Body Life 155

13 Baptism Improved 159

14 Third Birthday 163

Part 3 Learning to Pray

The Lord's Prayer

Preface 169

1 When You Pray 171

2 Pray Then Like This 177

3 Our Father 181

4 Which Art in Heaven 187

5 Hallowed Be Thy Name 191

6 Thy Kingdom Come 197

7 Thy Will Be Done 201

8 On Earth as It Is in Heaven 203

9 Our Daily Bread 209

10 Forgive Us 213

11 Not into Temptation 219

12 Deliver Us 225

13 From Evil 229

14 The Kingdom and the Power 233

15 And the Glory 237

16 Amen 241

Part 4 Design for Life

The Ten Commandments

Preface 247

1 Blueprint for Behavior 251

2 I and You 255

3 Law and Love 259

4 The Lord Your God 263

5 Who Comes First? 267

6 Imagination 271

7 Are You Serious? 275

8 Take My Time 279

9 God and the Family 283

10 Life Is Sacred 287

11 Sex Is Sacred 291

12 Stop, Thief! 295

13 Truth Is Sacred 299

14 Be Content 303

15 Learning from the Law 309

16 The Cement of Society 313

General Index 319

Scipture Index 323

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Growing in Christ is a classic from the pen of the late J. I. Packer. I am happy to see this concise introduction to the Christian faith republished for a new generation. In 64 short readings of about 1,000 words each, Dr. Packer delivers a popular-level overview of the Apostles’ Creed, baptism, conversion, prayer, and the Ten Commandments. The brief readings include biblical references for further study and good questions to awaken personal meditations and to inspire group discussions (as originally intended). Highly commended.”
—Tony Reinke, author, 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You and Newton on the Christian Life

“J. I. Packer was first and foremost a catechist, someone who teaches Christians everything they need to know in order to grow in Christ and become good citizens of the gospel. Packer is here in fine form, ‘packing’ a lot into unpacking the three formulas that have historically been central in making disciples: the Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Ten Commandments. As he shrewdly points out, no one is a Christian by instinct; one has to learn faith in Christ. It is only fitting, then, that he includes a study of baptism, the practice that goes hand in glove with becoming a Christian. For dying and rising with Christ, which baptism enacts, is the way we live and grow in Christ.”
—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; author, The Drama of Doctrine

“For the follower of Jesus who desires to grow in Christ, there is perhaps no better place to begin than thorough understanding and prayerful application of core Christian doctrines: the Apostles’ Creed, the sacrament of baptism, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer. J. I. Packer walks the new and growing believer through these ‘building blocks’ of the faith with clarity, accessibility, and thorough explanation. What a wonderful tool for your own growth as a Christian, or for your discipleship and encouragement of other growing believers in Jesus!”
—Jon Nielson, Senior Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church; author, Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry

“Over the decades, J. I. Packer’s work guided me to know God better and then to faithfully tell others the good news. Now we have this treasure of a book for a post-Christian world: fresh, instructive, classically Packer. Read this book to grow, but don’t keep it to yourself; be sure to pass it around.”
—J. Mack Stiles, Director, Messenger Ministries Inc.