This book teaches the basics of the Christian faith, looking first at what Jesus himself taught, and then at what his apostles had to say. It is for anyone who wants to follow Jesus, but is not sure or would like to be reminded of the way.
In short clear steps, Dr Peter Walker takes us through the basics of enjoying Jesus' forgiveness, welcoming his Spirit and feeding on his scriptures; then explores the principles of worshipping with his people, following his teaching and trusting him with our future.
This classic of the field has been revised and is accompanied by access to an online PDF workbook and video content.
This book teaches the basics of the Christian faith, looking first at what Jesus himself taught, and then at what his apostles had to say. It is for anyone who wants to follow Jesus, but is not sure or would like to be reminded of the way.
In short clear steps, Dr Peter Walker takes us through the basics of enjoying Jesus' forgiveness, welcoming his Spirit and feeding on his scriptures; then explores the principles of worshipping with his people, following his teaching and trusting him with our future.
This classic of the field has been revised and is accompanied by access to an online PDF workbook and video content.
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Overview
This book teaches the basics of the Christian faith, looking first at what Jesus himself taught, and then at what his apostles had to say. It is for anyone who wants to follow Jesus, but is not sure or would like to be reminded of the way.
In short clear steps, Dr Peter Walker takes us through the basics of enjoying Jesus' forgiveness, welcoming his Spirit and feeding on his scriptures; then explores the principles of worshipping with his people, following his teaching and trusting him with our future.
This classic of the field has been revised and is accompanied by access to an online PDF workbook and video content.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780857219602 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge) |
| Publication date: | 02/21/2020 |
| Edition description: | New Edition |
| Pages: | 256 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Enjoy Jesus' Resurrection
Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!
Luke 24:5–6
Was Jesus really raised from the dead? Luke, the writer of this key chapter in the Bible, was in no doubt. It might seem bizarre and without any parallel, but yes, three days after his public execution in Jerusalem, Jesus, so Luke claims, was seen by his followers.
First, he writes, Jesus' tomb was found to be empty; next, Jesus met a couple of his followers making their way to a village outside Jerusalem called Emmaus; and finally, back in Jerusalem later that first Easter day, he met with his followers – showing them his wounds, and eating some food to prove he was no ghost. At the start of the day, his followers had thought the first rumours were a load of nonsense, but by the day's end, sheer joy and exhilaration was evidently beginning to pulse through their lives (Luke 24:11, 41).
Resurrection at the centre
Jesus had been raised by God back from the dead! This raising or "resurrection" of Jesus has, ever since, been the central claim of authentic Christian faith – that the living God raised Jesus Christ bodily from the grave. And the news that Jesus is alive continues to this day to turn people's expectations upside down, bringing joy and new hope. This can be true for anyone – it can be true for you. Those who meet with this Risen Jesus are a given a whole new life; and those who are serious about following him are in for a life characterized by adventure and new possibilities.
Jesus wants this truth about his resurrection to become the very centre of your thinking and your life. He made that clear to his first followers on that first Easter day, and he has been doing it ever since. Jesus is truly back from the dead – he is alive!
Following a living Jesus
The resurrection has always been at the heart of the Christian message. After all, take the resurrection away and what are you left with?
It is love that truly stands at the heart of the universe.
• A teacher who dies in his thirties as a failed Messiah.
• Someone who makes great promises about God but who comes to a pitiful end.
• An example of a good, truthful person being hounded to death by human evil at its worst.
Not much good news here! No wonder there are so few people who try to follow Jesus while denying his resurrection. No wonder, if they do, that their teaching has such little impact. For why should we bother with a dead Jesus? Anything nice in his teaching (for example, about God's love) we probably want to believe already. On the other hand, anything challenging we can readily dismiss, since he's dead and gone. In that sense, we don't have to follow him at all – we're the ones who do the choosing. Above all, if Jesus remained dead in the tomb, his teaching and public ministry had evidently not been very successful. Moreover, there is no clear reason for assuming that anything he said is necessarily true.
But put the resurrection back in its proper place – at the very centre – and things start to look quite different. Now, instead, we have a Jesus in whom God was evidently at work. It becomes vital to know what he said and what he did, for it all comes with the stamp of divine approval. Moreover, because of the resurrection, Jesus' words and actions have the power to bring God's truth and love dramatically into our lives today.
Then again, with the resurrection at the centre, hope for the future has a solid foundation: in particular, physical death need not be the end, and our present lives can be seen as infinitely valuable. We find we are living in a God-invaded world, with God himself able to become our greatest reality. Indeed, we can sense how it is love – God's love – that truly stands at the heart of the universe.
In addition, we are given a clear vision of God's purpose, not only for our own lives, but for the whole world: we are to live out Jesus' teaching, to implement his kingdom, to proclaim his rule, and to work hand in hand with the God who has the power to bring good out of evil, and light out of darkness. The true and living God is the God of resurrection power, the one who is at work to restore his broken world. We too, then, are to be an "Easter people", bringing the resurrection light of Jesus into our local worlds – into God's world.
So, no resurrection – no Good News. No resurrection – no "Christianity" worth its name. If there's no resurrection, then there's no point in following Jesus. Indeed, there's no point in walking in the Jesus Way or reading any more of this book. For we are looking together in these pages at what it means to follow a living person – not a dead one. Jesus, according to the New Testament writers, is alive – and that means alive today!
So the first "building block" as we seek to follow this Jesus – the first step along the Jesus Way – is to enjoy Jesus' resurrection and to enjoy living each day of our lives in the light of this amazing reality. If, right now, you do not feel so sure about the truth of the resurrection, or if you want to invest some time looking in more detail at the historical evidence for it, then you may find it helpful to turn now to appendix B (The Resurrection of Jesus: Can We Be Sure?) to look at the various objections to the resurrection and begin to develop your own response. It's good to build up one's confidence on this vital, life-changing topic.
In the rest of this chapter, however, we will move on to consider the implications of all this. What does the New Testament teach us about the meaning and significance of the resurrection (see Box 1)? If the resurrection of Jesus really happened, what difference will it make? We will find it will give us a whole new vision of who God is, but also of what he wants us to do in response.
Box 1 – Resurrection in the New Testament: Some selected texts
Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die ... Do you believe this?"
John 11:25–26
Then Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
John 20:27–28
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:3
But God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen – by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
Acts 10:40–42 (Peter's words in Caesarea; see also, Paul's words: Acts 13:30–31; 17:30–31 and 26:8)
The gospel ... regarding his Son ... who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord ... Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father ... For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
Romans 1:2, 3, 4; 6:4, 9
Christ Jesus ... has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel ... Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead.
2 Timothy 1:10; 2:8
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles ... Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:3–7, 20
Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!
Revelation 1:17–18 (Jesus' words in the vision given to John)
The God who raised Jesus
First, the resurrection teaches us four powerful truths about God himself – the God who raised Jesus.
1. The resurrection is strong evidence for God's existence
Debates about God's existence continue unabated. Some, focusing on issues of creation or evolution, argue that science has disproved the "God theory". Others, looking at evil and suffering in the world, see no evident place for a God of power and love. Yet the resurrection of Jesus cuts into this debate with clarity, bringing something new to the table. For, if we look here – at the resurrection – we will find fresh evidence, surprisingly clear, of the activity of the God of power and love.
So, for many, the resurrection is the clearest sign that God truly exists and is able to work in his world, and that we do not live in a closed, "God-less" universe. Thus the New Testament writers (as seen in Box 1) frequently refer to the resurrection as an act of God: it was not so much that Jesus rose (by his own will), but rather that God raised Jesus from death: "God raised him from the dead" (Acts 2:24; 10:40; 13:30); "God ... brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus" (Hebrews 13:20). They also see the resurrection as demonstrating God's great power:
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead.
Ephesians 1:19–20
2. The resurrection introduces us to God's holiness
For the apostle Paul, the resurrection reveals the "holiness" of Jesus (see his words in Romans 1:4 in Box 1). It also reveals the holiness of God. This involves two aspects – both his love and his judgment. Speaking to the Athenians about the resurrection, Paul brought out this solemn theme of judgment:
He will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.
Acts 17:31
In the resurrection, God was declaring his vindication of Jesus and of all who would then come to him. He was also thereby appointing him to be the final judge of everyone throughout the world. The resurrection is a signal that God will judge the world by his holiness at the end of time – and he will do this through Jesus.
3. The resurrection reveals God's love
In the resurrection, we see God coming back to all people with a message of forgiveness. Human beings may do their worst against God – hating him, even crucifying him – but they have an opportunity to be forgiven and restored. Peter, though he had denied Jesus three times, was given, through the resurrection, a second chance (Mark 14:66–72; John 21:15–19). So the God who has set a future day for judgment has also made this present time an opportunity to return to him – what the Bible calls the "day of salvation", when God will save his people (Acts 4:12; Romans 13:11; 2 Corinthians 6:2). He is indeed a holy God but, deep within that, he is truly a God of compassion and grace, of forgiveness and love.
4. The resurrection reveals God's purposes
The New Testament writers saw the resurrection as the crowning fulfilment of God's purposes as already revealed in the Old Testament, by which God was now bringing the world into a new age, the age of fulfilment (1 Corinthians 10:11). Yet the resurrection also signals his purposes for the future. For just as God transformed the physical body of Jesus into a new resurrection body, so he will do the same for those who believe in him (see, for example, 1 Corinthians 15:12–57; Philippians 3:20–21). Moreover, on the basis of his raising Jesus from the grave, we can see how God is intending to bring in a "new creation", not abandoning our physical world but transforming it through his resurrection power (see chapter 12).
The Jesus who was raised
The resurrection also teaches us a vast amount about Jesus himself. Note what the New Testament writers say about Jesus in the light of his resurrection:
• He is the person appointed to be the "judge of the living and the dead" (Acts 10:42; see also Acts 17:31, quoted just above).
• He is the "great Shepherd of the sheep," who calls us to belong in his fold (Hebrews 13:20).
• He is the "Son of God," whom we must "obey" (Romans 1:5) and "listen to" (Mark 9:7).
• He is the long-awaited "Messiah" (or "Christ") of Israel and is now the world's true ruler and king: "God has made this Jesus ... both Lord and Messiah"; "there is another king, one called Jesus" (Acts 2:36; 17:7).
• He is the "Lord". The first Christians expressed the heart of their faith in just three words: "Jesus is Lord." (1 Corinthians 12:3). First-century Jews used this title "Lord" to describe the one true God of Israel; but now Jesus' followers were applying it to this human being, recently executed in Jerusalem, called Jesus.
The whole New Testament is littered with such references to Jesus as Messiah, as the Son of God, and as the Lord:
He was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead.
Romans 1:4
Indeed, there are one or two places where it clearly hints that Jesus can be equated fully with God himself (see, for example, John 1:1–14 and fuller discussion in chapters 9 and 12). So, even if Thomas' outburst on seeing the Risen Jesus was spontaneous and not fully thought through, it was profoundly true: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).
The resurrection therefore reveals and establishes the unique identity of Jesus. Yes, other aspects of Jesus' life support this claim (the circumstances of his birth, his authoritative teaching, his powerful miracles, his sinless life), but the resurrection is like the capstone in the arch. Without the resurrection, the New Testament writers would never have dared to speak in such terms. With it, they could scarcely hold themselves back!
This Jesus is unique. Though clearly human, he must also be identified with God in some way. He is the king and the judge. He is also an eternal being. As one New Testament writer said: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
Meeting the Risen Jesus
If this is true, the consequences for all of us are important. The resurrection tells us that:
• we live in a world visited by God;
• God is interested in his created world and in all aspects of human life (including our physical bodies);
• there is a future for all of us after death (see chapter 12);
• the most important person – in this life and in the next – is Jesus himself.
Jesus is the centre of God's world and he must be the centre of our world too.
The resurrection thus presents everyone with a startling truth: Jesus is the true Lord of the world and we must meet him. He is God's appointed king and we must humble ourselves before him and, only so, enter into his kingdom. In the resurrection, God "gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus ... every tongue [will] acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:9–11). God wants everyone to acknowledge the lordship of Jesus, his Risen Son. So Paul can write with great clarity:
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
So, before going any further along the Jesus Way, we have to pause and perform a vital double-check. For, if recognizing Jesus as the Risen Lord is the essential starting point of the journey, are we sure that we have truly got started? We have to ask ourselves some life-changing questions:
• Have we truly responded to this challenge of Jesus as Lord?
• Are we quite clear that Jesus is risen from the dead and therefore alive today?
There is no point in reading further through this book if we know we have not responded in this way – or indeed, if we are slightly uncertain at this point. As they say in baseball, it is vital to "get past first base".
The Bible gives us a powerful picture to help us here. It is of the Lord Jesus Christ standing outside the door of everyone's house, wanting to come in: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in" (Revelation 3:20).
Many have found this picture helpful. They sense that Jesus has been outside their life, but unwelcomed – knocking on the door, but refused entry.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Jesus Way"
by .
Copyright © 2020 Peter Walker.
Excerpted by permission of Lion Hudson Plc.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
ContentsAcknowledgments 10
Foreword to the Second Edition by Greg Downes 12
Foreword to the First Edition by J. I. Packer 14
Introduction 16
Part 1: Learning from Jesus Himself (Luke 24) Text of Luke 24 24
1. Enjoy Jesus' Resurrection 28
2. Accept His Forgiveness 40
3. Welcome His Spirit 57
4. Feed on His Scriptures 70
5. Participate in His Meal 88
6. Bear Witness to His Reign 101
Part 2: Learning from the Apostles (Acts 2) Text of Acts 2 122
7. Share with Jesus' People 125
8. Worship His Majesty 140
9. Follow His Teaching 156
10. Live His Life 170
11. Resist His Enemy 187
12. Trust Him for the Future 203
Epilogue 216
Appendix A - Jesus of Nazareth: What Makes Him Unique? 219
Appendix B - The Resurrection of Jesus: Can We Be Sure? 223
Appendix C - Baptism for Jesus' Followers:
Why is it Important? 231
Glossary 236
What People are Saying About This
"All too often those who want to follow Jesus lose their way because they do not grasp the next steps in their walk with him. They hear the Good News and desire to move forward yet they don't have the proper tools to continue on the journey. Peter Walker's The Jesus Way is an excellent resource for all such people. What the church today needs most are resources for Christian discipleship. In my work I see many people come to faith in Christ but struggle to find materials that will help jump-start them in their journey - to my dismay these are few and far between. Peter's book is easy to understand, well presented, and thorough - without being overwhelming. It is truly an ideal handbook for those starting out on the Jesus way. This is also a superb book to take on international mission. Many people in the "two-thirds world" do not have Bibles but, when guided through The Jesus Way, they can access the teaching of the New Testament in just twelve easy steps. Peter Walker provides a clear and thoughtful model for following Jesus. He has done this with the insight of a biblical scholar and the enthusiasm of a passionate believer. He shows how following Jesus is a life filled with joy, triumph in trials, peace, love, and above all, hope. The Jesus Way provides us with a roadmap that leads to a deeper relationship with Jesus and an experience of his abundant life." Carrie Boren Headington, Missioner for Evangelism, Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
"A superb book written with simplicity, charm and sureness of touch! I love the rooting in Luke 24 and the development in Acts. It is so comprehensive and so clear and easy to follow. I am really excited about this! Peter Walker's writing is outstanding." Revd Canon Dr Michael Green, biblical scholar, author, and former Rector of St Aldates, Oxford
"Some years ago, I prepared to preach on Jesus' last words to his followers, as found in Luke 24:44-49. I became really excited as I rediscovered the incredible depth and concentration in this short passage. In this book Peter Walker has done us all a great service in expounding these verses - as well as the first steps of the early church in Acts 2. What a great way to teach the basics of our faith and life! What an inspiration for individuals and groups as they set out on a journey with Jesus! I commend it wholeheartedly to disciples old and young. Use it and share it!" The Rt Revd Henry Scriven, General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC) and Honorary Assistant Bishop of the dioceses of Oxford and Winchester
"I am really excited by this revised edition of The Jesus Way. Having taught it myself, I can commend it confidently as the best discipleship training course available, and when used it will prove to be a great blessing to the Church." The Rt Revd Wallace Benn, former Bishop of Lewes, diocese of Chichester
"The Jesus Way is an excellent introduction to the Bible by an outstanding biblical scholar. From my involvement with the teaching of this material while living in the United States, I can see the power of The Jesus Way to change lives and energize people in faithful discipleship of Jesus. It will be a blessing and great encouragement to all who use it, and I recommend it wholeheartedly." Revd Dr Justyn Terry, Vice Principal and Academic Dean, Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford
"All too often those who want to follow Jesus lose their way because they do not grasp the next steps in their walk with him. They hear the Good News and desire to move forward yet they don't have the proper tools to continue on the journey. Peter Walker's The Jesus Way is an excellent resource for all such people. What the church today needs most are resources for Christian discipleship. In my work I see many people come to faith in Christ but struggle to find materials that will help jump-start them in their journey - to my dismay these are few and far between. Peter's book is easy to understand, well presented, and thorough - without being overwhelming. It is truly an ideal handbook for those starting out on the Jesus way. This is also a superb book to take on international mission. Many people in the "two-thirds world" do not have Bibles but, when guided through The Jesus Way, they can access the teaching of the New Testament in just twelve easy steps. Peter Walker provides a clear and thoughtful model for following Jesus. He has done this with the insight of a biblical scholar and the enthusiasm of a passionate believer. He shows how following Jesus is a life filled with joy, triumph in trials, peace, love, and above all, hope. The Jesus Way provides us with a roadmap that leads to a deeper relationship with Jesus and an experience of his abundant life." Carrie Boren Headington, Missioner for Evangelism, Episcopal Diocese of Dallas