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The Pilgrim’s Progress - Bunyan, John
294 pages, paperback, Penguin.
The best possible starting point is this greatest-of-all allegories, which once shaped the nation. The nature of salvation and the spiritual battles of the believer are unfolded so helpfully, one never forgets. (C. H. Spurgeon read this over 100 times, regarding it as the most significant book after the Bible.)
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Two booklets:
Seven Certain Signs of True Conversion - Masters, Peter
21 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
How can seekers tell if God has worked in their hearts? This outlines the marks of true conversion so helpful for gaining and keeping assurance of salvation.
Baptism, the Picture and its Purpose - Masters, Peter
24 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
This describes the fourfold pictorial message of baptism intended by God, and shows why it is essential for new believers.
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A Summary of Christian Doctrine - Berkhof, Louis
184 pages, paperback, Banner of Truth.
Magnificent! A compact, nice-to-read overview of the great doctrines of the faith. It ‘takes off’ from page 11. Numerous inset headings in the text help the reader to find all the doctrines, and review questions will challenge those who really want to learn. (We disagree with the esteemed author on the few pages about baptism and church government.)
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The Enemy Within - Lundgaard, Kris
157 pages, paperback, P & R.
Subtitled - Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin. This extremely lively yet thoughtful spur to personal holiness is drawn from the great John Owen’s two classics - Indwelling Sin in Believers and The Mortification of Sin. ‘I kidnapped Owen,’ says the author. ‘I took him as my co-author and together we’ve written a new book. He brought to the table his precious exposition, outlines, arguments and illustrations, and I returned to him stories.’ Exceptionally easy to read, this is an explosive introduction to accomplishing holy living.
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Steps for Guidance - Masters, Peter
184 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
Christians must seek God’s will in all the major decisions of life. Here are six biblical steps for finding God’s pathway with special attention to courtship and marriage, and chapters on how to think about wealth, ambition, leisure and church membership.
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Two booklets:
Christian Fellowship - Angell James, J.
63 pages, booklet, Quinta Press.
Subtitled - The Church Member’s Guide. This is an abridgement of a marvellous handbook on church membership. It includes the duties of members, church discipline, troubles in churches, prayer meetings, and other matters. Although written from the viewpoint of a nineteenth-century Congregationalist, it is highly recommended. A portion of this booklet urges readers to respect all denominations. However, he wrote at a time when all Protestant groups were sound in the faith. Bear in mind that he would not give the same exhortation if he lived today.
The Purposes of the Lord’s Supper - Masters, Peter
24 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
This lists nine purposes behind the Lord’s Supper, and provides a basis for thought and prayer at the Table.
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The Divine Inspiration of the Bible - Pink, A. W.
108 pages, paperback, Baker.
In short, lively chapters this famous writer highlights major characteristics of the Bible which every believer really needs to know, and will enjoy.
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Only One Baptism of the Spirit - Masters, Peter
109 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
When is the believer baptised with the Spirit, and what happens? How does assurance come? Are we to struggle against sin, or will the Lord fight the battle for us? What is the filling of the Spirit? Straightforward answers with proof texts.
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The Holy War - Bunyan, John
192 pages, paperback, Ambassador Productions.
This stirring allegory will give every reader a deep understanding of what happens in the salvation of a soul. Bunyan’s brilliant illustrations describe with immense insight the fall of ‘Mansoul’ and its rescue. A ‘must’ to be read, prompting a great step forward in spiritual growth.
Edited Edition: Your Victory in Christ
291 pages, paperback, Whitaker House.
An edited edition recast in modern English. Strongly recommended.
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Spurgeon - Dallimore, Arnold
52 pages, paperback, Banner of Truth.
(1834-92) This is selected as the first biography on the list because it shows the power of the Word alone in converting many, and the way God blessed one who was obedient and faithful to Him. (We knew this Canadian author, now in glory, very well and deeply respected him as an outstanding speaker, pastor, biographer, and personality.)
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The Attributes of God - Pink, A. W.
96 pages, paperback, Baker.
Nowhere else are the attributes of God presented in such brief compass with such clarity and devotional impact. Countless Christians have had their entire outlook transformed by this modern classic. Vital reading, because, before anything else, we must grasp God’s majesty and greatness.
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The Charismatic Phenomenon - Masters, Peter & Whitcomb, John C.
113 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
So many believers have fallen for the charismatic movement. This shows the true purpose of the sign-miracles performed by the apostles, and shows that they were quite different from those claimed today. Were the gifts of New Testament times intended to be permanent? Answers are given.
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The Pilgrim Church - Broadbent, E. H
456 pages, cloth, Gospel Folio Press.
A superb 'sweep' of the story of Gospel power down through the ages. This focuses especially on preachers and churches who were faithful to Christ, who laboured valiantly, who endured trial and persecution, who suffered martyrdom, and who strove to reform their churches to conform to the Word of God. A 'conviction' book, written with passion, and showing that those who are most faithful are those who are most blessed.
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Two booklets:
Tithing - Masters, Peter
21 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
The duties of Christian stewardship are here presented, and many questions answered.
Your Reasonable Service in the Lord’s Work - Masters, Peter
21 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
Color This is designed to inspire church members to seek avenues of service within the church. It focuses on the strong commands in the New Testament to serve the Lord.
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The Lie (Evolution) - Ham, Ken
168 pages, paperback, Master Books.
The author shows how to recognise the two ‘world views’, one arising from evolution, and the other based on the fact of creation. It is shown that evolution is a religion. Many objections that are raised against the book of Genesis are answered. Christians must know how to answer these questions.
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A Golden Treasury of Puritan Devotion - Di Gangi, Mariano
183 pages, paperback, P & R.
This is a brilliant way of tasting the Puritans. It contains 500 short extracts from thirteen key Puritans, all chosen for their above-average pithiness. Whether a play on words, or a surprising, even jolting figure, brilliant statements tumble out of these pages. How did these men produce so many? This is a very good way of appreciating more the great doctrines of the faith.
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The Trinity - Bickersteth, E. H.
182 pages, paperback, Kregel.
There is nothing to match this brilliant book by an evangelical scholar-bishop of the nineteenth century. It really helps one to see the greatness of each Person of the Trinity, and to love the Lord as never before.
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Three booklets:
Stand for the Truth - Masters, Peter
36 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
This gives the biblical arguments for separation from false teaching, showing the positive value of doing this. Ten commonly-heard arguments in defence of co-operation with Bible-denying groups (for example in evangelism) are answered.
The Goal of Brotherly Love - Masters, Peter
26 pages, booklet, Sword & Trowel.
Our great goal should be Philadelphia love - a tenacity of love equal to that of a blood tie. What steps must we take to promote and preserve this?
The Five Points of Calvinism - Seaton, W. J.
24 pages, booklet, Banner of Truth.
This clearly explains the famous ‘five points’, dealing helpfully with the problems that occur to many minds, and especially to young believers.
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Answers to My Catholic Friends - Heinze, Thomas F.
62 pages, paperback, Chick.
A lively book, novel in style, in which the author (a missionary in Italy for over 30 years) pinpoints the key differences between biblical salvation and Catholic teaching. He never says too much. Eight chief differences are singled out. This will definitely help the reader to witness to Catholic friends.
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Should Christians Drink? - Masters, Peter
107 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
What are the biblical statements which have convinced the overwhelming majority of Bible-believers for more than 150 years that the Lord wants His people to abstain from alcohol? These statements should be pondered and obeyed by all who want to please the Lord.
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William Carey - Pearce Carey, S.
413 pages, cloth, Wakeman Trust.
(1761-1834) A long read - but readers will never regret it. Dr John MacArthur calls this the best book he has ever read. It is a beautifully produced biography of the ‘father of modern missions’. Compelling pages convey the very atmosphere of an extraordinary time of missionary advance. Carey and his colleagues overcame mountainous obstacles to become the most productive church planters and Bible translators of all time. This story will stir the hearts of young and old alike.
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From Forgiven to Forgiving - Adams, Jay
175 pages, paperback, Calvary Press.
This simply must be read as it deals with one of the saddest omissions in many Christian lives. It is subtitled - Learning to Forgive One Another God’s Way. All aspects of forgiveness are presented, including common errors among Christians, and the matter of restitution also.
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The Healing Epidemic - Masters, Peter
227 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
A kind of sequel to Charismatic Phenomenon, this answers charismatic claims and arguments, showing that sign-gifts have ceased. It includes chapters on demons; on how James 5 should be obeyed today, and on the Bible’s insistence that the mind should always be ‘switched on’ in worship. It has a great concluding chapter on medical aspects of divine healing, by the late Prof Verna Wright, a much-loved and eminent Christian doctor.
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The Baptist Confession of Faith, 1689
53 pages, paperback, Wakeman Trust.
Having previously read A Summary of Christian Doctrine, it is valuable now to read this precise statement of the faith. C. H. Spurgeon had this reprinted for his younger church members. This edition has had the punctuation updated and archaic words replaced. Explanations of difficult terms have been inserted in brackets. Read it slowly and pray as you read.