The Church and Its Mission

by W. E. Vine

Publisher:

Kingsley Books

, 2023

Overview

“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. Vine’s perspective is that of a leader in the Brethren movement.

“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.

Key Features

• Introduces certain questions for our consideration.
• Unfolds the truths of both the universal church and the local church.
• Addresses vital topics such as spiritual gifts.

Product Details

• Title: The Church and Its Mission: Critical Issues for Leaders in Local Churches and in Missionary Service
• Author: W. E. Vine
• Publisher: Kingsley Books
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Pages: 516
• Era: era:modern
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Christian Church; Kingdom of Heaven; Baptism; Missionary work; Women in the Church; Missionary
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRCHTSMSSN
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-02-29T15:40:48Z

About W. E. Vine

William Edwy Vine (1873–1949), commonly known as W. E. Vine, was an English biblical scholar, theologian, and writer, most famous for Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

Vine was born in 1873, in Blandford Forum, Dorset, England. His father ran the Mount Radford School, which moved to Exeter in 1875, and it was there that W.E. Vine was raised. He became a Christian at an early age and was baptized in the Brethren assembly in Fore Street, Exeter. At 17, Vine became a teacher at his father’s school, and then moved to Aberystwyth to study at the University College of Wales. He later completed his education at the University of London, receiving a BA and MA in Ancient Classics in 1906.

This responsibility inevitably meant writing tens of thousands of letters between local churches and the missionaries overseas. Many of the letters—beside being of a practical nature—involved answering theological questions. He also wrote for “Echoes of Service,” a monthly magazine that linked overseas missionaries with the Christians and churches at home by articles teaching the Bible and giving news that would stimulate prayer and support for the missionaries. He also wrote regular articles for other magazines, and many of his written works grew out of these articles. Vine dedicated himself to his work with missionaries and was firm in his doctrine and practice. He said,

In the mind of God the grand ultimate object of missionary activity is the planting of churches. . . . The Head of the church who gave His instructions to His Apostles . . . on record for us in the Scriptures, gave therein a body of truth and principles adapted to every age, generation and condition. The pattern is complete, and exhibits the divine wisdom in every part. Human tampering has only marred it in its working. . . . It is incumbent upon all who profess the Christian faith to respect the plainly revealed intentions of the Head of the church, instead of burdening it with doctrines and regulations of human fabrication.

He wrote this when he was an elder in the assembly at Manvers Hall, Bath, a position that he held for 40 years. He was diagnosed with heart disease in 1927, but lived until 1949.